My name is Aisling Fegan.
Irish Gaelic name pronounced: Ash-ling
Pronouns: she / her
I'm an Irish artist, art psychotherapist and local resident of Newark (UK) with a passion for community, social justice and deepening dialogue.
I mostly work with people who have been affected by institutional abuse, statutory failures and transgenerational trauma. I have extensive experience working with survivors of abuse, trauma, climate anxiety, addictions, depression, disordered eating, and diasporic experiences. I am experienced in community incident response, disaster recovery and during the covid-19 pandemic, I worked as an art psychotherapist within the tv and film industry.
In Newark I am part of Coreset, an artist-led organisation and I proudly work for icap, supporting the Irish community in Britain. As a dual experienced art psychotherapist, I have had both formal training and lived experience of neurodivergence, the mental health industry and therapeutic communities. Graduating from Goldsmiths University of London in 2015 with a masters in art psychotherapy, I hold a degree in modelmaking and design for film and theatre from Ireland’s National Film School (2007) and a diploma in group analytic psychotherapy with Group Analysis India (2022).
Art therapy is a form of psychological therapy that uses creative practices like drawing, painting and sculpture to express thoughts and feelings. It can enable people to process the impact of trauma, build trust, feel less isolated, develop healthy relationships and grow confidence.
Art Therapy is suitable for people who have experienced trauma, domestic and political violence, injustice, displacement, abuse, low mood, eating problems, isolation, worry, grief and loneliness. Art therapists are trained and experienced in using art and creativity combined with psychotherapy models to help people to express complex feelings in a safe way.
You do not need to have any particular skill in art to make use of the art therapy. You do not even have to make art in sessions! Art therapy is not dependant on spoken language so it is suitable for all ages. Any artwork made is confidential.
As social action, art making in the context of a larger group dialogue offers an accessible and collective way for individuals and communities to find their authentic voices and magnify them.
This method of dialogue elevates awareness, deepens insight and creates meaningful social change. In our community, art making in a large group can help to bridge polarisation in a way safe way. It can help us to understand the origins of problems and how the past impacts the present. It's affects are far reaching, long lasting and sustainable.
Groups are a microcosm of our wider society. Thinking together in a group can help us to make sense of how the past influences the present. Dynamics arising in group therapy echo our personal, social, cultural and political context. And so, group therapy offers space to explore ourselves and the world around us.
Groups can help people to find their authentic voice and can be a life line for people who are isolated; especially for those who are suffering because of social or cultural circumstances. Groups encourage imagination, connection and healthy relationships, improve communication skills and reduce feelings of isolation.
I offer long-term, therapy groups. There is a maximum of eight people in the group; meeting once, sometimes twice a week for 90 minutes; either online or in Newark.
The first 30-minute conversation is free of charge. After this, I offer two meetings to talk in more depth. This is at a rate of £160.
Individual 50-minute, art therapy costs between £50 - £80, depending on what is affordable.
Individual supervision / inter-vision meetings with therapists and creatives are £60.
The standard rate for groups is £30 per session or £100 a month (payable 12 months of the year). The fee for group therapy varies between people because it is based on what you can afford. Spaces are reserved for people with lower incomes.
PLEASE NOTE:
This is not a crisis service.
If you are at risk of harm or unable to keep yourself safe, please seek urgent medical care from your GP, A&E, 999 or 111.
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