Personal Statement
Cate Smail MA
Art Psychotherapist, Clinical Supervisor
"I provide a calm and confidential art therapy space which encourages self-exploration though the creative process. I work in a psychodynamic way, dealing with deep rooted issues in order to enable growth and recovery. I use a ‘person-centred’ approach, allowing clients to develop a sense of self in a comfortable and non-judgmental environment and supporting them to find solutions to their problems."
Cate Smail works with adults and children in a range of settings from adult mental health to education, running art therapy groups as well as working with individuals on a one-to-one basis.
She is also a trained art psychotherapy supervisor.
She has a special interest in working with adults experiencing a range of mental health issues from depression to PTSD, and dealing with family and relationship issues, including separation and divorce.
She is a director and managing agent at The Art Therapy Agency, and the co-founder of the community interest company, ArtTherapy4All CIC, which was set up to raise public awareness of the benefits of art therapy and to seek funding for subsidised art therapy projects in the community.
She has an MA in Art Therapy from Hertfordshire University and is registered with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) and a member of the British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT). She originally studied fine art at Central St Martins. She also has a BA (and MA) in Art History from The University of Cambridge.
She has curated several art therapy exhibitions. In the past few years these have included 'Emerging Identities' at the London Art Therapy Centre (2011), and 'Art & Healing' at University College Hospital, The Free Space Gallery (2013) and the Tavistock Centre (2015).
She also offers private therapy sessions at her studio in North London and clinical supervision for art therapists.
NB: You can also see my profile on Findatherapy.org
Client testimonials:
" I am a complete convert to art therapy now... it is so powerful and has helped me at a much deeper level than any other therapy I have had... I would recommend it as a form of therapy to anyone who is considering having therapy or counselling."
Jane Beinart, Individual therapy 2015-16
Read more about Jane's experience of art therapy at:
my-own-personal-experience-of-having-art-therapy
"I highly recommend Cate's art therapy sessions as they've been an enjoyable way to explore my emotional landscape. Working with art materials seems less daunting than mainstream speaking therapies... Afterwards, your artwork remains as a tangible piece of work achieved on the self, looking back at you."
C.A. Group therapy participant, 2014
"I loved the Divorce Recovery group and would recommend it to others... thank you Cate for leading the group so well."
Emma Featherstone (Group therapy participant, East Finchley Studio)
Key Skills
• Working creatively with various client groups in a therapeutic setting
• Enabling clients to explore their art work and the process of its production
• Assessing the needs of the client by listening and providing guidance
• Assessing and understanding the feelings or temperament of others
• Dealing with referrals, including self-referrals and referrals from other professionals
• Planning, designing and facilitating activities for individuals and groups
• Creating an interesting and exciting art therapy space with challenging and unusual art materials
• Organising and curating art therapy exhibitions
• Clinical Supervision
Contact details:
Mobile: +44(0)7939 406270
Email: Cate Smail
Below: My art therapy studio in North London
