ABOUT

My name is Calvin Downie (he/him), I am an Art Psychotherapist and Counsellor working online who is registered with all suitable professional bodies (BAAT, BACP, HCPC). I have experience working online with English speaking clients from countries across the world, working in the criminal justice sector, in forensic mental health, and with young people and adolescence.

I have had an interest in the potential art making has in allowing people to process trauma and difficult emotions from my teenage years, when I began to volunteer with third sector therapeutic arts organisations across Scotland, before progressing to my formal training in Art Psychotherapy at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh. Click here to listen to a more in depth discussion about my road to becoming a counsellor and art Psychotherapist on the FATMOON podcast (available on Spotify).

I am extremely grateful that my work allows me to engage in deep conversations with others, as we explore complex questions together with the aim of impacting their well-being.  I am an integrative therapist, who utilizes various therapeutic approaches in sessions to support clients, as I don't believe in a "one-size-fits-all" approach for therapy.

Sessions are underpinned with some psychodynamic principles- looking at how your present responses are influenced by events in your past- with elements of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and other therapeutic modalities. It brings me deep joy to work directly with people and assist them to a more positive destination- wherever that may be. From my perspective, the role of a therapist holds a deep sacred trust within the boundaries of the therapy space. I honour this by bringing values of compassion, patience and equality to work all of my clients.