Jaimie Cahlil
counselling & psychotherapy

art of the soul

• Introduction
• Background
• Creative Expression
• What do I offer?
• Enquiries

The essential qualities of the therapist are evident in my pictures; conversely, that which I draw upon in my art is evident in my psychotherapy work. I suggest that whatever a person is experiencing within may be explored beyond words and conscious thought – experientially... through intuitive creative self-expression. Such sessions are therapeutically explorative nature.

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Longing... for Mother, Answered
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In 1970, I was accepted for training at the Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art in Oxford – beginning this three-year course in 1972, and graduating in 1975.

The training was thorough and traditional. In the years that followed, I developed my self alongside my work. My pictures evolved… My soulful art has for a long time been widely considered therapeutic.

In the past, I have applied such naturally therapeutic aspects of my art in ‘special needs’ work in schools, later also in Intuitive Art and Awareness workshops, more recently within the psychiatric environment - and now increasingly in the context of individual work with clients and within workshops and groups.

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Creative self-expression as a healing process.  

‘Art’ may be engaged in as a means of self-expression; also to convey experiences, emotions and associations that are perhaps too difficult or elusive to recognise in ordinary thought or convey in words.  

Therapist-guided picture-making creates a form of therapeutic endeavour where the creation of images allows safe expression of feelings, thoughts and beliefs. Expressing ourselves freely through art enables a clear pathway between unconscious and conscious recognition.  The resulting images can help to bring to light any suppressed emotions or conflicts. Used as a tool for personal growth and empowerment through deepened self- and life-understanding, the participant is encouraged to reflect on the images that arise, which will then prompt gradual understanding and a greater ability to deal with any issues that emerge.  

Such images may appear both when we’re awake and in our dreams during sleep. Whatever it is that our unconscious is ready to acknowledge and work on will surface. When a dream is brought into a session, this is a gift: an image to explore and work with. Whatever is there in the beginning, this will certainly change and evolve as we explore... revealing to us as creator what we already know – yet didn’t realise we know.

The therapist-artist is there to support and guide you through the process of connection, recognition, acceptance, and gradual integration… there beside you as you journey within, on hand to help you deepen your inner work. When sensitively steered through the process of creative expression, the individual may develop self-ease, stability and balance, and a growing sense of meaning, fulfilment, belonging and wholeness.  

To become whole - or ‘integrated’ – it is necessary to engage both verbal and non-verbal processes, and both cognitive and intuitive knowing. The therapist-artist can help identify problem areas, so that negative images may be transformed into positive ones, as in alchemical process.

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Art is profoundly associated with our unconscious mind.  Dreams, feelings and thoughts are experienced predominantly in visual form.  Furthermore, our visual perceptions predate our capacity for verbal expression.  And as images are part of our earliest experiences, many of our preverbal thoughts appear as images. Even as adults, we may remember an event, a place or a person through senses such as sound, smell, or sight – and so we are very likely to retain visual imagery arising from experience.

Analyst and psychotherapist Carl Jung, known for work with symbols in dreams and art, noted the importance of images and symbols in psychotherapy.   He observed that by allowing a mood or problem to be represented as an image – either through the dreams or art, we can begin to gain a clearer and deeper understanding both of self and the alchemy of life... and to experience our being, and the emotions that move through us.

Carl Jung

Creative self-expression may help transform feelings and thoughts that block our way, helping enable us to overcome a sense of existential emptiness and loss of connection with our soul.

Through creative expression we may gradually relax... into knowing who we are, being deeply aware – and really alive!

I offer creatively-expressive therapeutically-explorative sessions, using various creative media – eg: drawing, painting, collage, clay... Taking your needs and preferred starting point into account, we make our beginning... with the emphasis on therapy. Our work will centre on awareness of your self and your experience in the present moment, including mindfulness techniques and guided visualisation...  

These sessions are designed to help you develop an intuitive creative receptivity through which you may find your own inner guidance, working in whatever manner and depth that feels appropriate to you at the time.

Becoming...                 click to enlarge

For those interested in creative expression, these sessions may inspire your own artwork away from our sessions – and you may wish to bring work you have produced at home to your sessions.

As you proceed towards self-integration and wholeness, through profoundly mindful awareness, I offer these sessions to assist you your way.

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REPRODUCTIVE QUALITY: The colour reproduction and tone balance of my pictures as shown on this website vary from that of the originals (or printed reproductions).  Please bear in mind the feel of my work is warm, glowing, healing and alive...  

Please bear in mind the feel of my work is warm, glowing, healing and alive...

Jaimie Cahlil works in private practice in Oxford (UK) primarily with individuals and couples, also facilitating small groups in the form of workshops and small groups.  

Further information?
Contact Jaimie ... see counselling and psychotherapy and creative expression, plus coming events - and the relevant brochures.  

General enquiries - brochures + fees, appointments, bookings…  

UK calls only (local call rate): 0845 644 1425   Or: 01865-45 31 31

International calls: +44 (0)1865 45 31 31  

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