Psychotherapy with Lou Platt

Adult psychotherapy in Kings Heath, Birmingham — Internal Family Systems (IFS), EMDR, and Creative Arts Psychotherapy.

About Me

I’ve been working as a psychotherapist since 2006 and also supervise the clinical practice of other counsellors and psychotherapists. My private practice is based in Kings Heath, Birmingham, where I offer therapy to adults.

Take a moment to get to know me and my approach, and see whether this feels right for you. If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch — my contact details are below.

“Even in the darkest of times, there is always hope.”

Qualifications and Approach

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

IFS is my core approach — an evidence-based, compassionate model that helps you explore and relate to different parts of your inner system. It supports deeper self-understanding, acceptance, and sustainable change.

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)

I am trained in EMDR therapy, a structured, evidence-based method that helps people process distressing or traumatic experiences. EMDR supports the brain’s natural healing process, allowing difficult memories to lose their emotional intensity and helping you feel more grounded and at ease in the present.

Creative Arts Psychotherapy (CAP)

I am a Creative Arts Psychotherapist (CAP), registered with the Health & Care Professions Council and the British Association of Dramatherapists. While most of my work is talk-based, I sometimes use simple creative methods when they can help move therapy forward or deepen understanding.

Together, we’ll find the approaches that best support your needs and goals.

Working Together

If you’d like to explore working together, we’ll begin with a short phone conversation to discuss the basics:

If we agree we’re a good fit, we’ll book your first session at my Kings Heath practice.

In that first session, you’ll have space to share what’s brought you to therapy, what you hope to get from it, and a bit about your background or current challenges. You’ll also get a sense of what it’s like to work with me. If you decide to continue, we’ll set up a regular session time together.

Most sessions are talking-based, but we can include creative methods if they might support your process.

My Story

After graduating in Drama and Theatre Arts in 2002, I began my journey into psychotherapy by completing a Master’s in Dramatherapy in 2004. This training brought together two passions: the arts and the human mind.

Since qualifying in 2006, I’ve worked primarily in private mental health settings, supporting people with eating disorders, addictions, depression, anxiety, trauma, and identity issues.

From 2012, I began focusing on mental health support for those in the creative industries — theatre, dance, TV, and film. In 2020, I founded The Artist Wellbeing Company, which I continue to direct.

As a white, cis, queer woman, I strive to work with cultural awareness and sensitivity. I take my work to regular supervision and ongoing training to maintain high professional and ethical standards.

Getting in Touch

To get in touch, please contact me directly:

Email: lou@artistwellbeing.co.uk
Phone: 07547 333615

Location

York Road Therapy Rooms
13a York Road
Kings Heath
Birmingham
B14 7SA

Please note: this is a first-floor room and there is no disabled access.

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Supervision with Lou Platt

If you are a counsellor, psychotherapist, or creative arts psychotherapist (drama, art, music or dance) you might be here because you are looking for a clinical supervisor to work with.

Take a look below to find out a little bit more about me as a supervisor and to see whether I might be a good fit for you and your practice.

"Two heads are better than one"

My Approach

Within a supervision session you will have as much time as you need to talk about your work and to explore it through conversation and discussion. We will take into consideration multiple dimensions of the work, from the hows and whys, to relational dynamics, unconscious material, the wider contexts and the parallel processes. 

Alongside talking, I will also facilitate an exploration of your clinical work through considered and appropriate creative action methods. We will decide together if and what techniques you'd like to try. These methods aim to enhance your understanding, perspective and relationship to your work.

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I also hope to provide you with a place to feel held and supported, as you hold and support your clietns.

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All techniques can be useful in both individual and group supervision.

 

"When ideas are laid out visually, humans see patterns that were not available to them verbally'"

(Antony Williams, Visual and Active Supervision)

Crafts Supplies

USING OBJECTS AND IMAGES

As well as talking you may want to use objects or images to explore your work in a more visual way. This can be helpful to obtain new perspectives; to step back from the work; to provide distance when you may feel "too close" to the work and more.

Role work chairs

ROLE WORK

Role work can be a helpful tool to enhance empathy; to promote emotional connection and understanding of others; to explore and practice techniques. It can be useful when feeling disconnected from the work and those you are working with.

Art Materials

DRAWING, PAINTING, IMAGE MAKING

There are various supervisory techniques that use art materials (pens, pastels, paint) to help the supervisee process, understand, evaluate and progress their work. Symbol, image and metaphor can help communicate non-verbal experiences and re-connect thinking and feeling. The Greek translation of metaphor is "to carry across"; in this context metaphor can not only help create a bridge between our thinking & feeling but also  between the professional & client.

My Experience

Since qualifying in 2006 I have worked mainly in adult mental health, however, I have experience of working with young people and adolescents too. I have worked in two private mental health hospitals for 14 years, specialising in eating disorders, and general psychiatric wards.  I also have experience of working in brain injury rehabilitation and older adults. 

 

I do not have much experience working with children (primary school age) so would not feel equipped to supervise clinical work with this client group.

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My mains points of interest are: recovery from trauma, grief & bereavement, eating disorders, addictions, self-harm management, relationship issues, low self-confidence and esteem, identity issues, LGBTQ+ & sexuality.

 

I have worked in private practice since 2010.

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I currently specialise in providing mental health support to those working in the creative industries. I am the Founder and Director of The Artist Wellbeing Company.
 

Lou Platt

To book in with with me, please email or call

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info@louiseplatt.co.uk

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07547 333615

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My practice is based in Kings Heath, Birmingham

HCPC Registered - AS08365

Member of British Association of Dramatherapists

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