My earliest memories are of reading – surrounded by my mother’s books, I had some strange companions as a child, characters who still people my imagination. Myths and legends then became my early loves and, with a sniff of that perfume called library, I am back crouching in the corner where my favourites were shelved.

I read all sorts of books but did not come to poetry till later in life, although the poems of childhood were always there.

I am a psychotherapist trained in New Zealand in psychodynamic and Gestalt approaches. I have a private practice here in Melbourne and, up until 2 years ago, also led a team working with those who experience severe and enduring mental illness.

Before turning to therapy, I trained and worked as an independent midwife, caring for women through the childbearing year, supporting them to birth their babies at home or in the hospital. All of this means I have a deep interest in attachment theory and how we create ourselves in the world. Sometimes this is through the writing of others, a vital mind-to-mind relationship, as it was for me.

I greatly enjoy facilitating group work and hope to be able to offer another means to self-discovery and understanding as a poetry therapy practitioner. I use poetry and literature in my work with individuals where appropriate, and I am very happy to have found this training which brings me so much pleasure and offers new adventures.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Poetry Therapy Practitioner in training
• Bachelor of Midwifery
• Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) (Practice and research)
• Diploma of Gestalt Psychotherapy (NZ)
• Theory of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (Ashburn Clinic, NZ)

SPECIAL INTERESTS

• Reading, always reading
• Extending my understanding of my work as a psychotherapist
• A passionate love of and fear for the earth, our home
• Zen Buddhism

CONTACT DETAILS

contact@barbarachurcher.com.au

https://www.barbarachurcher.com.au/

UK born and currently residing in Brisbane, Australia; I am a Fictional Therapy Practitioner, Literary and Film Therapist, Story Coach. Creator and Founder of Alice and The Alchemist. Using the unique and powerful medium of literature, film and creative expression to promote healthier and happier life chapters. A credentialed Mental Health Nurse, Trauma Professional, Clinical Educator and EMDR clinician, I started my career in healthcare in 1999 and have served in The Royal Air Force (RAF), The Prison Service and various public and private mental health hospitals, internationally.

Mental health practitioners are encouraged to practice self-care to help them to remain mentally well themselves, through my work in both emergency and mental healthcare one method of self-care has remained static; Fiction. Everyone has a story and often in mental health these stories are tragic. Clinicians become part of their patients narrative through the art of caring. Realising that my love of reading was more than just a hobby, it was a successful wellbeing tool and effective treatment, I started using fictional therapy with patients and clients as an adjunct to traditional modalities. After seeing the powerful impact of this intervention I set about founding, Alice and The Alchemist. To further develop my skills I am training as a Poetry Therapy Practitioner (PTP), this has allowed me the opportunity to learn from and be inspired by mentors and peers in this unique and beautiful field.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Poetry Therapy Practitioner in training
• Certified Child and Adolescent Trauma Professional (CATP)
• NLP practitioner
• Life Coach
• Credentialed Mental health Nurse (ACMHN)
• Cert IV in Training and Assessment
• EMDR Practitioner
• BSc (Hons) Mental Health Nursing

SPECIAL INTERESTS

• Fictional Therapy
• Fostering secure childhood attachments
• Value Based Care
• Children’s Services
• Drama and The Arts
• Ornithology

CONTACT DETAILS

Email: lori-beth@aliceandthealchemist.com

Website:https://www.aliceandthealchemist.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-beth-thom-6b731a11b

https://www.facebook.com/Alice-and-The-Alchemist-105406661219182

https://www.instagram.com/alice.and.the.alchemist

Based in the Taranaki region of New Zealand, I offer online and in-person Poetry Therapy workshops.

I truly believe we are all carriers of poems, and that our poetic heart knows the way home to our most authentic self.

As a registered Poetry Therapy Practitioner, a trauma-sensitive facilitator, trained counselor, and home-poet, I guide women in reconnecting with their authentic voice, especially during periods of transition and transformation.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Poetry Therapy Practitioner
• Yoga Teacher (200hr) + TCTSY (20hr)
• Professional Counselling (NZIPC)
• BA International Relations

SPECIAL INTERESTS

• Women’s groups
• Authenticity through empowered self-expression
• Connection with the more-than-human world

CONTACT DETAILS

Email: ourpoetryproject.contact@gmail.com

Website:ourpoetryproject.com

Instagram: @ourpoetryproject