Nicky Shaw (She/her), RCAT
Clinical Art Therapist, Nature Based Art Therapist
Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Art Therapy
Art Therapy Diploma, Sheffield, NHS, The Northern Art Therapy Programme
Post Graduate Certificate in Education PGCE Art and Design, Homerton College, University of Cambridge
BA (hons) Photography
#NaturebasedArtTherapist #NaturebasedArtPsychotherapist #ArtTherapist #Artpsychotherapist #Eco Art Therapy #Clientcentered #Relationalpsychology #Attachmenttheory #Attunement #Being #LGBTQIA+welcoming #N/nature #M/mothering #Spiritual #Traumainformedpractice
EFAT full member, Ethics Committee member 2020-2030, European Federation of Art Therapy
RCAT Registered Canadian Art Therapist through the Canadian Art Therapy Association CATA
Previous CIIAT Faculty member with the Canadian International Institute of Art Therapy, Victoria, BC
SIG Co-ordinator for the Special Interest Group in Eco Art Therapy Europe within EFAT
For the past 20 years, after gaining a BA (hons) in Photography (The Nottingham Trent University, UK) and a PGCE in Art and Design (Homerton College, University of Cambridge, UK), I have been an educator holding positions such as Teacher, Head of Art and Head of Year in the UK, Laos, Germany and Canada.
As I became a Mother with shifting roles and identities I remembered fondly a lecture at University from Rosy Martin on using photography therapeutically. This memory and ultimate calling, led me on my path to qualify as a Professional Clinical Art Therapist. I thoroughly appreciated gaining my Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Art Therapy through CIIAT and IPATT (Canadian International Institute of Art Therapy and International Programme of Art Therapy Thailand). The international dimension to widening my understandings and insights about psychology in different cultural settings was invaluable.
As an art therapist, I value journeying alongside my clients in individual or group settings, and watching the transition and transformation in clients ultimately helping themselves through gaining clarity and confidence. Witnessing, observing, ‘holding’ clients through their journeys of processing valid emotions is an honour, within the safe and non-judgemental spaces that I create.
My special interest and dedication in research within the new and evolving field of Nature Based and Eco Art Psychotherapy. As a pioneer in this emerging field I have found a new framework to work safely with clients in a balance and relationship of Client, Therapist, Art and N/nature.
I enjoyed co-leading the first British Columbia Eco Art Therapy online course and being an instructor for the 2021 Therapeutic Arts Practitioners Programme in Canada. I have co-authored a Chapter in the book (published by Francis and Taylor) entitled ‘Virtual Art Therapy,‘ specifically with research and data about teaching Eco Art Therapy online.
I have spoken at conferences and led training workshops within education establishments, specifically Inclusion teams and Early Years teams.
I currently live with my daughters in Guernsey, Channel Islands. However, my heart belongs to the land…all lands. I especially love forests, rock climbing, travelling, skiing, painting, poetry and photography.
