Tamar Kovner
Berkshire Art Therapy
Psychotherapy, Counselling & Art Therapy
About me
I have always perceived the inner-worlds of others to be beautiful, fascinating, mysterious, sometimes painful places. In order to understand these complex inner-worlds better- I have spent years studying and completed an Integrative Arts Psychotherapy Master’s Degree with distinction from IATE & the University of East London. It has given me a better understanding of how to support and accompany others as they try to make sense of their thoughts and feelings.
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I feel a mixture of compassion, honour and responsibility whenever people choose to entrust me with their pain and life stories. It is a privilege for me to accompany my clients. I provide a safe, confidential, completely non-judgemental space. A place for us to explore together and discover what might support you to reach a better place.
I have experience of hundreds of clinical hours working with adult clients and groups both face to face and online. I have seen clients in private, charity and NHS hospital settings. I work with trauma in its various forms, including survivors of rape and childhood sexual abuse. I work with issues of anxiety, depression, PTSD, anger management, shame, isolation, self-harm, relationships and many other mental health or life issues.
I offer therapy in both English and Hebrew, supervised regularly and attend CPD events to enhance my professional knowledge. I am fully insured and have a DBS certificate.
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​* Registered Art Psychotherapist (Health Care Profession Council).
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* BAAT Registered (British Association of Art Therapists).
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* MA in Integrative Arts Psychotherapy from the University of East London/The Institute for the Arts in Psychotherapy and Education.
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*Certificate in Counselling Skills from Spectum Centre for Psychotherapy, London.
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* Certificate in Creative Group Work from the University of East London/IATE.
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* Certificate in the Therapeutic & Educational Application of the Arts from the University of East London/IATE.
My Approach
I am an integrative psychotherapist, weaving together various approaches and techniques and adjust them to suit each individual client.
I combine humanistic, psychodynamic, relational, neurobiological and embodied approaches. While working together we may sometimes focus on your current life issues and other times, and only if you feel ready, we may explore past events and their possible links to how you are feeling at present. If you choose – we may use art, imagination or pay attention to the ‘stories’ that your body is communicating through aches or tensions. My holistic approach means that I notice my client’s mind, body and spirit. Each of them, may open different ‘doors’ into my client’s inner world.
My aim is to be there for my clients, as we try together to understand the causes of their suffering. To hold the hope that their inner-world or outer reality can be changed, and at the same time assist them to accept with compassion all aspects of who they are. I work collaboratively and we will openly explore what is working or not working in your therapy so we can adjust what we do to meet your therapy’s goals.
Psychotherapy & Art Therapy
People seek therapy for many different reasons:
You may feel stuck, confused, lonely, overwhelmed with anxiety and depression, or simply ‘not yourself’. Sometimes the cause of your feelings might be clear to you: a recent loss, separation or a traumatic event. Other times, it can feel like an unknown, nameless cloud of heaviness, anger or fear inside you which you do not understand. Or it could be you simply wish to understand yourself and your relationships with others better.
During our lifetime we all experience difficult feelings. Unlike a broken limb or physical illness - emotional and mental pain cannot be seen in a scan or be measured in a blood test. It is invisible yet can be felt acutely and have a painful impact on your life, relationships and wellbeing. Just as you seek out a specialist to deal with physical illness – when your inner-world is in pain seeing a psychotherapist can help. Therapy and counselling offer a safe, accepting and confidential space where you can share your thoughts and feelings with a person who was trained to help you work through them.
Art Therapy
Art therapy is just like any other ‘talking’ therapy but with an additional powerful tool. It uses visual expression and imagination to generate deep insight. You absolutely do not need to be creative or have any art-making experience in order to use art therapy. In the sessions you can use the art only when and if you feel comfortable to do so. There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to express yourself in art therapy and whatever you create will be welcomed.
Images and imagination are natural ‘languages’ that human beings use to express themselves and make sense of their world: we naturally use them each night in our dreams and our cultures are filled with fairy tales and myths since the dawn of mankind. Young children begin making marks on paper very naturally, and often express their emotions, hidden fantasies or fears this way. As adults – we become disconnected from this natural way of expression.
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Art-making can be a door through which we enter our inner world and access very deep parts of who we are. It is a way to make sense of feelings, thoughts or painful memories by making them visual and exploring them this way. It helps us express what words cannot always describe and reach unconscious materials which may affect our current life and relationships.
You are invited to contact me for a free chat to understand more about art therapy and how I work.
Working with me
I concentrate my work on two areas I feel passionate about:
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Providing art psychotherapy to my clients.
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Introducing health care professionals to the use of art as a clinical tool for self-care and insight.
Please click on the relevant button below to learn more:
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