Drawing and Talking

About

This is an independent service, which is not run by the NHS or WSCC.

This service is not checked by WSCC and including it on the Local Offer website does not mean that it is a recommended service.

Before using this service, we recommend you make your own checks. Your checks should include being happy that: the service will meet your needs; staff are properly qualified; policies are in place to keep everyone safe and you know how much the service will cost.

Use this guidance for advice about what to ask to help you make sure that children and young people are happy and protected in clubs, groups and activities. Find out more on our terms and disclaimer.

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Drawing and Talking Therapy is a safe, gentle, approach for any individual or young person who needs some support with their emotional wellbeing. Using this therapeutic approach the individual will be able to express unconscious thoughts through a combination of drawing and talking. A resolution is reached as the young person is able to address the way they feel about past events or current concerns. No artistic ability needed.

Drawing and Talking Therapy is a 12 week programme with a weekly 30 minute session with Lorraine Pellett, owner and founder of Balance the Mind©.

SAND PLAY As an Advanced practitioner I am qualified to run Sand Play sessions. This work follows the same principles of Drawing and Talking, but uses sand and miniature figures. Younger children are very receptive to this way of working.

What we do

• Hold a safe space for the individual
• Place importance in the connection with another individual
• Help individuals find their own resolutions through their unconscious thoughts
• Give time and space for an individual to explore in a playful way
• Individuals find their own place of calm, helping settle uncomfortable feelings

Age range

4-upwards

Wheelchair accessible

Yes

Free to use

No

Requires application

Yes

Our users say

We got in touch with Lorraine after hearing a positive word-of-mouth review of her practice. We're so happy that we did. Lorraine has been amazing at talking with our 11-year-old daughter at her level. She's not only given her an education about anxiety but worked with her to manage her emotions with grounding techniques and positive mindset exercises. Our daughter has used quite a few of them already and has found the process very helpful and reassuring. Lorraine has provided a secure and nurturing landscape for our daughter to explore her feelings. She told us how learning about anxiety has made her less scared about it and more confident in managing her emotions. Life can be unpredictable and the best we can do is ensure our beautiful young people feel empowered in the process. Lorraine is ALL about that and she walks her talk in putting the child at the centre of her practice. Our daughter has loved her sessions and says she feels safe with Lorraine. We are so grateful. THANK YOU.'

'We sought Lorraine out after a recommendation, and we are all so glad we were put in touch with her. Her approach is kind and caring. The introductory session produced amazing results even before she had one drawing and talking session with our son, who has been suffering from separation anxiety. Lorraine built a solid rapport with him and that enabled him to talk to her from the start, which was something he was not prepared to do with anyone else. In the beginning, his sense of relief from being able to talk with Lorraine was evident. He really enjoyed the 12 drawing and talking sessions and is in a much calmer place than before. Our confident and happy child has returned.'

'I can’t thank Lorraine Pellett from Balance the Mind enough for helping **** with her anxiety. She’s just completed 12 weeks drawing and talking therapy with her as her anxiety was bad and her tics have been particularly bad. **** has always had trouble going to sleep so last year she was prescribed melatonin to help her sleep. After 6 weeks of drawing and talking she decided she didn’t need to take them anymore and now goes to sleep without medication and her confidence is growing. She’s also learning to cope with her anxiety to. I highly recommend Lorraine.'

'I am delighted with the progress we have seen in my son having completed the 12 week drawing and talking programme. He is an anxious child who worries about school but we have seen a big change in his confidence. He seems much more relaxed about school and is able to talk about his worries. I’m sure we’ll continue to see progress over time. He was always happy to go to the sessions and I would highly recommend Lorraine.' Parent of 12 year old.

'Drawing and Talking has really supported our children in school. Lorraine has a very caring and gentle way with the children and they grow to trust her very quickly. I would recommend Lorraine's sessions without any reservation.' SENCO West Sussex School.

'I highly recommend Lorraine’s drawing and talking therapy. I approached Lorraine after a friend recommended her services. I had been suffering with severe anxiety and felt I needed someone to talk to outside my family who would provide both guidance and a listening ear. Initially, I was unsure about how I would respond to the drawing element of the therapy, but I always found that something would appear from my sketches that would guide our conversation. I never felt any pressure to draw but the pencil became a tool in the therapy, helping me to identify and articulate some deeply held fears and worries that had been causing me great distress. Through our work together, Lorraine has helped me to feel much better about myself. Her gentle manner, kind and empathetic ear provided a safe space for our discussions. I am very grateful to Lorraine.' Adult.

'My son suffers from anxiety and was struggling to talk about his feelings. With Lorraine’s help and the drawing and talking therapy sessions, he has really come out of himself and is finding it much easier to regulate his emotions.' Parent of 11 year old.

'This lady is really awesome. Kind, calm, supportive and just a lovely lady.' Parent of a 7 Year Old.

'Lorraine is superb at what she does - really recommend her.' Parent of a 10 Year Old.

'Highly recommend Lorraine.' Parent of a 10 Year Old.

'I totally would recommend Lorraine. She is wonderful, caring and thoughtful and extremely brilliant at her job. Whoever she supports will be very lucky that she is there to help them with their own journey to succeed.' SB School Support.

'Whoever has the pleasure of working with you is one of the luckiest people in the world! You won’t regret being supported by Lorraine, she is one in a million.' CB School Support.

'We were trying to find a counsellor for our 17yr old son who was experiencing anxiety and panic attacks caused by numerous things brought on by covid and the lockdown and the NHS couldn’t offer much immediate help (especially as he was too old for child NHS support and to young for adult help). We were thankfully given Lorraine’s contact details. Lorraine immediately offered a consultation to see if she and my son would be the right ‘fit.’ Even after the first few sessions were completed we could see the confidence returning in our son. Lorraine made it easy to understand the paths to recovery. She used different techniques to find what would work for our son and taught him to replicate these techniques when needed. We really can’t thank Lorraine enough who went above and beyond to help our son.'