What is that spark of fire within, that cries out to be heard?
It is the soul looking for a source of expression…

 

Welcome to The Chrysalis, my name is Angie Richardson and I’m a clinically trained Expressive Arts Therapist. I graduated from Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design with a Master of Arts in Arts Therapy (Clinical). I am a registered professional member of ANZATA (Australian and New Zealand Arts Therapy Association).

 

I’m also a trained and registered primary school teacher with many years of teaching experience behind me. My interest in Drama and Speech has spanned over thirty five years. I have been a drama teacher and run the Taylor-Richardson School of Drama in partnership with Julie Taylor. I have an ATCL qualification through Trinity College of London and have taught Speech and Drama to private students.

 

Currently I work one day a week at a special school in West Auckland as a dramatherapist for students who have a range of special needs including down syndrome, developmental delay and autism.

 

I have had training in psychotherapy and conselling prior to being a teacher. Since graduating with my Masters Degree I continue to have professional development in areas of the Arts Therapies that are pertinent to my practise and expand my way of working.

 

My private practice is run from The Chrysalis, a clinic located in Epsom. I’m also available to work in schools and run workshops for groups or workplaces. I offer an intermodal approach to therapy that includes drama/movement therapy, sandplay therapy and creative art therapy. Therapy involves using the Expressive Arts for intentional psychological or emotional change. I have a friendly empathetic approach that enables clients to feel comfortable to either explore life issues they are finding distressing or embark on a journey of personal development and growth.

 

I believe the Expressive Arts are a potent therapeutic tool that can be used effectively and dynamically to help clients reveal unconscious aspects of themselves, give space for reflection and exploration of issues and work towards personal transformation and developing a more integrated sense of self. I know this because I have personally experienced the power of the arts to heal and transform. I am an improvisation artist and actively practice this dramatic art form with a ‘play’ group for personal and artistic expression.