
Lilly Meikle
Art Psychotherapist
Takes meetings in english
Price 45 min $110, 60 min $130 and 90 min $145
Book a consultation with meBackground
With four years of post-qualification experience, I offer therapeutic support for children, young people, adults and families. While I have developed significant expertise in bereavement support, my practice extends to addressing a wide range of issues, from trauma and anxiety to developmental and behavioural concerns.
Art Therapy for Children and Young People
In addition to my work with those affected by loss, I offer art therapy as a powerful tool for expression and healing. Art therapy provides a safe, non-verbal outlet for children and young people to explore complex emotions, especially when words may not fully capture their inner experiences. Through creative activities, play, and discussion, I support young people in processing their feelings and fostering emotional resilience.
A Holistic Approach to Emotional Wellbeing
Although many clients come to therapy due to grief or loss, my work encompasses a broader range of emotional and psychological challenges. I help children, young people and adults manage stress, trauma, anxiety, behavioural issues, and family dynamics. My therapeutic approach is flexible and client-centred, adapting to the specific needs of each individual.
Integrating Multiple Therapeutic Approaches
I integrate a variety of evidence-based therapeutic modalities in my practice, including psychodynamic therapy, trauma-informed care, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), and solution-focused techniques. This allows me to tailor interventions based on the unique needs of each individual, providing holistic support for a wide range of emotional challenges.
Expertise in Supporting Emotional Growth and Development
With a background in developmental psychology, I understand how children and young people process emotions at different stages of growth. This insight is crucial for guiding therapeutic interventions and offering age-appropriate strategies to support emotional regulation and resilience, particularly during periods of significant change or crisis.
Support Across Various Life Challenges
I offer therapeutic support for a broad range of life challenges, including grief, trauma, anxiety, behavioural difficulties, and family issues. I provide tailored support to help individuals and families navigate these emotional landscapes. My goal is to create a safe and supportive environment where clients can process their experiences and develop healthy coping strategies.
Experience with Diverse Populations
While I have extensive experience working with children and young people, my therapeutic practice also extends to adults and families. My work in palliative care settings, such as Sobell House and Bluebell Lodge, has deepened my understanding of the emotional needs of adults facing loss and illness. Additionally, I have supported families navigating complex grief responses, providing them with tools for communication and emotional support.
Crisis Management and Family Dynamics
My experience working with children in high-stress or crisis situations has honed my skills in managing intense emotional responses, including anger, confusion, and withdrawal. This experience is invaluable when working with adults facing similar emotional turbulence. I also work with families to improve communication and foster understanding, helping to strengthen relationships and support emotional healing within the family unit.
Building Trust and Safe Spaces
Creating a trusting, non-judgmental space is at the core of my therapeutic practice. Whether working with children, young people, or adults, I prioritise building a relationship of trust and safety, where clients feel free to express themselves and explore their emotions at their own pace.
Professional Experience and Specialisations:
Sobell House, Bluebell Lodge, Wandsworth Bereavement Service: Gained experience in palliative care, supporting diverse adult and child populations through loss.
Voluntary Work: Involved with organisations such as Thera Trust, Arts Connect, SLV, Headway, and SHOUT Crisis Text Line, providing therapeutic support to a wide range of clients.
School-Based Interventions: Collaborated with schools to support children’s mental health, liaising with healthcare and education professionals to ensure holistic care.
Overall, my approach is characterised by empathy, flexibility, creativity, and a deep commitment to supporting emotional wellbeing. I use a wide range of therapeutic tools and approaches to help individuals and families address the complexities of emotional challenges. Whether you're seeking support for bereavement, trauma, or other emotional difficulties, I provide compassionate and tailored therapy to meet your unique needs.
Motivation
My journey into art psychotherapy was deeply influenced by my own experiences with grief and loss, and the transformative power of creativity. As an artist, I have always found solace in painting—particularly abstract works that allow me to process complex emotions. It was during my Art Psychotherapy training at Roehampton University that I discovered how these two worlds—art and psychotherapy—could intertwine in a deeply meaningful way.
In my training, I was encouraged to respond to my clinical work creatively, and I soon realised that abstract painting was not only a powerful outlet for my emotions but also a profound tool for self-reflection. My motivation to become an art psychotherapist grew from this personal connection to creativity and the desire to help others navigate their emotional landscapes. With over four years of experience working in bereavement and trauma, I have seen first hand the power of creative expression to heal and transform. Whether working with children, young people, or adults, I help my clients use art as a tool to explore grief, loss, and the emotional complexities that arise from life’s challenges.
Ultimately, becoming an art psychotherapist felt like a natural extension of my own creative and emotional journey. It allows me to support others in their process of self-discovery and healing, just as I have used art to find my own sense of belonging and emotional renewal. Through both my art and my therapy work, I seek to offer a space for healing, connection, and exploration—both for myself and for those I work with.
My advice
Struggling with Intense Emotions? Therapy Can Help.
It’s completely normal to experience struggles with worries, intense emotions such as sadness, anger, or noticeable changes in behaviour—whether you're a child, young person, or adult. These emotional shifts often manifest as physical sensations, which can feel overwhelming. Many people try to ignore, suppress, or act on these feelings, but articulating what’s troubling us can be difficult.
As a therapist, I specialise in helping individuals navigate these challenges by providing a compassionate, supportive space for exploration and healing.
Supporting You Through Grief and Loss
Grief and loss are universal human experiences that profoundly affect mental health. While I specialise in bereavement support, I also work with clients facing a variety of other challenges, including past trauma, life transitions, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.
For children and young people, grief can be particularly isolating. The loss of a loved one can lead to confusion, anxiety, and a sense of being different from peers. Feelings of disconnection can result in alienation and social isolation, which can affect their overall wellbeing. I offer a safe space for them to express themselves through art, play, and conversation, allowing them to process their emotions in a non-verbal way that feels comfortable.
For adults, the weight of grief can often feel all-encompassing. Whether it’s the loss of a loved one, health anxiety, work-related stress, relationship difficulties, or low self-esteem, these struggles can lead to stress, emotional burnout, and a sense of disconnection from others. Therapy provides a supportive environment to explore these emotions, process grief, and develop practical tools to manage and heal.
Addressing Emotional and Psychological Challenges
In addition to bereavement, I also work with clients dealing with:
- Trauma: Whether it’s past abuse, loss, or other life events, I help clients process and heal from traumatic experiences.
- Life Transitions: Major changes such as moving, changing careers, or the end of a relationship can trigger feelings of uncertainty and stress.
- Depression & Anxiety: I support clients in managing overwhelming feelings of sadness, worry, and stress, helping them to gain clarity and restore emotional balance.
- Low Self-Esteem: Together, we can work on rebuilding your sense of self-worth and developing healthier coping strategies.
A Creative, Compassionate Approach
My approach emphasises creative expression, especially for children and young people, through art, play, and conversation. These methods can be incredibly effective in helping individuals process and express their emotions in a non-verbal way. For adults, creative techniques can also serve as powerful tools for uncovering and addressing deeper emotional issues.
Therapy is a deeply personal process, and the length of time you engage in therapy will depend on your specific needs and goals. Whether you're seeking short-term support to navigate a life challenge or long-term therapy to work through more complex emotional issues, I am here to provide the support and guidance you need.
Flexible Therapy Options to Fit Your Life
I offer therapy in Putney and at my Art Studio in Checkendon, providing a warm and welcoming space where you can feel comfortable exploring your emotions. For your convenience, I also offer online sessions so you can access therapy from the comfort of your own home, regardless of your location or schedule.
If you're feeling overwhelmed or disconnected, I encourage you to reach out. Together, we can work to understand your emotions, develop healthier coping strategies, and help you reconnect with yourself and others.
“Whatever pain you can’t get rid of, make it your creative offering.” ― Susan Cain, Bittersweet: How Sorrow and Longing Make Us Whole
External training
Roehampton University
MA Art Psychotherapy Merit HCPC
2018-2021
Brighton University
BA (Hons) Photography 2:1 (69%)
2013-2016
Oxford Brookes University
Art Foundation Diploma Distinction
2012-2013
Henley College
A-Level:Art (A), Photography (A*), English Language (B) AS Level:Art (A), Photography (A*), English Language (B)
2010-2012
Book a consultation with me
Fill in the form. I will contact you to confirm time and place.