About Barry Joyce, B.A (hons), M.A, HCPC, BAAT.
Creative, compassionate, and client-led, I bring experience from working with children and adults, and a passion for supporting neurodivergent and various communities through art therapy. My work is rooted in trauma-informed, person-centred values, with a focus on emotional wellbeing and identity. I also bring my own empathy and understanding through lived experiences and disability as a Deaf and AuDHD (ADHD and Autistic) Art therapist. My training was completed at Brunel University, in partnership with CNWL NHS Foundation Trust.
My background
I have a BA (Hons) Fine art painting degree from Brighton University, as well as an M.A. Degree in Art Psychotherapy.
My placement background experience has been in adult disability support services and with primary school children services, both working 1-2-1 in art therapy sessions practicing holistic and tailored approaches alongside my training.
I have 2 years training from Brunel University, building a strong foundation in partnership with the CNWL NHS Foundation trust, experiencing 2 placement positions, gaining 600+ hours in adult services, disability and children/adolescent art therapy.
My research has focused on Autism and adult mental health, exploring the role of art psychotherapy in mental health support for autistic adults. Neurodivergence as a whole has been a keen area of interest for my studies.
I am currently working freelance across multiple schools, Secondary and Primary schools, as well as providing private therapy sessions in various settings with Adults, expanding my experience across all ages and backgrounds.
Clinical Highlights:
- 620+ hours supervised placement hours across schools and private non-profit charity settings. In line with HCPC professional standards.
- Delivered 1:1 therapy for children and adults with autism, anxiety, ADHD, depression, trauma and complex emotional needs.
- Co-facilitated art therapy groups promoting emotional regulation and self expression.
- Experience supporting adults with learning disabilities and co-occurring mental health conditions as well as physical disabilities.
- Familiar with CORE-10, SDQ, and RCAD outcome measures and reflective evaluation
- Enhanced DBS (Current)
- Safeguarding Level 2
My Approach
How I work depends on your needs and what works for you. We will work collaboratively to explore methods, and I will work using an integrative approach: This means I will use different therapeutic frameworks according to your needs. Everything I will use will be from evidence-based research, and holds you at the center of the work.
These approaches may be:
- Pyschodynamic Art Psychotherapy - exploring how your past, unconcious thoughts and processes and repeating relational patterns may impact you.
- Trauma-Informed - this approach recognises the widespread impact of trauma and prioritises safety, trust, and empowerment in the therapeutic relationship. It focuses on understanding your’ experiences through a lens of compassion and collaboration, avoiding re-traumatisation while supporting recovery and resilience. I have experience in working with the P.A.C.E (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiousity, Empathy) therapeutic model with children and adolescents for example.
- In my sessions, imagery, symbolism and metaphors help to elevate understanding and support of these frameworks.
Therapy is not an emergency service:
If you are in crisis right now, or someone you know, please contact the relevant emergency support helplines listed:
- NHS Mental Health Crisis Line: 111 (select the Mental Health option)
- Emergency Services: 999
- Samaritans: 116 123
- Shout Crisis Text Line: Text SHOUT to 85258
- CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably): 0800 58 58 58
- Childline: 0800 1111 This number is for under 19 years, free, 24 hours and will not appear on your phone bill.
- Mind support line: 0300 102 1234
- Rethink Mental Illness Advice Line: 0300 5000 927, open 9.30am - 4pm m
- Switchboard: If you identify as LGBTQIA+, you can call Switchboard on 03003300630