About us
South East Art Psychotherapy service is run by two art psychotherapists, Karen Vost and Lydia Hunt. This service began with a shared vision to offer art psychotherapy in an independent, person-centred capacity; focusing on the individual needs of each client, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach. The journey towards mental wellbeing is affected by a variety of factors; such as trauma, environment, relationships or finances. We therefore believe therapy must be undertaken with an intersectional attitude and knowledge of how issues of race, gender, sexuality, class and wealth have a direct impact on both physical and mental welfare. With this in mind, we approach therapy as a political phenomena which exists in tandem with many other kinds of support and work closely with other services such as social work, local charities, schools and hospitals.
Karen Vost
Karen is a practising Art Psychotherapist and artist with over 30 years of experience working within trauma and mental health services for children, young people and families. She has specialist knowledge of autism and non-verbal communication difficulties, especially in educational settings and with children in social care. A large part of Karen’s practice has been centred around work with refugees and young people in asylum. Karen is also a placement supervisor on the MA Art Psychotherapy course and is a clinical supervisor for Art Therapy practitioners, and supervises Arts Facilitator charities, working with those with complex mental health needs. She also offers psycho-education workshops.
Lydia Hunt
Lydia is a practising Art Psychotherapist and artist. She has had over ten years of experience in working with children of primary and secondary school age, particularly in Special Educational Needs departments and has experience in older-adults mental health wards, working with issues such as depression, palliative care and dementia. She has particular interest and experience in working psychodynamically with childhood attachments, trauma, and relationship dynamics.
Both Karen and Lydia qualified as art psychotherapists after training on the MA Art Psychotherapy course at Goldsmiths, University of London. They have a psychodynamic, trauma-informed approach to therapy, revolving around flexibility and adapting to each environment and person. Karen and Lydia are interested in a movement towards Eco Art Psychotherapy -which incorporates nature and the environment into the therapeutic work- and somatic therapy, which focuses on the emotional experience of the body. The work they do centres around the belief that art psychotherapy, arts education and community arts are vehicles of social change and movement that can support individuals and communities.
