Kirsty Toal
Psychotherapist
Kirsty is a HCPC-registered Art Psychotherapist experienced in working with adults, children and adolescents dealing with a range of mental health issues and emotional disturbance. She has worked for the NHS, Priory Group and in private practice. Currently Kirsty is the service psychotherapist in a residential therapeutic community in South London working with adults with enduring and severe mental health issues as well as working in private practice.
As an Art Psychotherapist, Kirsty believes in providing her clients with a channel of expression and communication when words are not enough. This provides a way of allowing subconscious memories, thoughts and emotions to emerge safely so her clients can their difficulties freely.
Kirsty is experienced in working with people living with a variety of severe and enduring mental health issues including depression, complex trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), loss and bereavement, personality disorders, psychosis and addictions, as well as emotional difficulties that might seem harder to define. She works on the basis that everyone is doing the best they can with what they have in the moment they are in.
Kirsty believes that when we are going through difficulties we can all find ourselves under-resourced and under-prepared for what we face. This can mean that you need a trusted other to hear you, to reflect with you and sometimes to challenge your perspectives with compassion. You might also need support to build healthy ways to cope and replenish resilience. She provides a space for people to share thoughts, feelings and memories to allow them to gain more understanding of themselves and their lives so that they can be more equipped now and in the future to face challenges and to live the lives they want.
Qualifications:
November 2018
EMDR Level 1
EMDR Europe (EMDR Works Ltd Training)
May 2017
DBT Intensive Training
British Isles DBT Training
June 2016
MA Art Psychotherapy
University of South Wales
Professional Registrations & Memberships:
Health and Care Professions Counsel (HCPC), AS15598
Full member of British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT)
Main Therapeutic Approaches and/or Psychological Interests and Experiences
Kirsty’s core training is in Art Psychotherapy. Her approach is psychodynamic and attachment-focused which often means considering past relationship patterns and experiences to help her clients to understand their current situations.
Kirsty draws on a variety of trainings in other therapeutic approaches to inform her work which allows her to be flexible to her clients needs. These approaches include:
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
Internal Family Systems Therapy
For more information, and to book a consultation, please contact Serendipity Psychology today. Whether you are looking for individual therapy, couples therapy or family therapy, Serendipity Psychology can assist you today – offering online & face-to-face sessions.
