Victoria Tolchard Art Therapy
I first discovered the therapeutic qualities of art making when I was 19 years old. A time when I was navigating my mum’s cancer diagnosis and a move away from home to university. It was a time when I first experienced how psychological issues can manifest themselves in physical symptoms and thus an understanding that mind and body are intricately linked. Having always found a passion in art making I began to understand through personal experience how creativity helped me process and externalise my thoughts, feelings and emotions and in doing so had a positive impact on my wellbeing both physically and mentally.
I am a fully qualified registered art therapist with the health care professionals council and a full member of the British Association of art therapists. My work is governed by the ethical codes of both these organisations.
I worked at Richard House children’s hospice from 2011 – 2014 supporting children and families both individually and in groups with life limiting illness, end of life care and bereavement.
When we moved to Suffolk in 2015 I took a role as Art Therapist at East Anglian Children’s Hospice supporting children and families to navigate living with a life limiting illness, end of life care and into bereavement.
I currently work for Maggies, a cancer support charity based at Addenbrookes in Cambridge.
Here I facilitate adult and child art therapy support groups and work alongside parents to
enable them to support their children when a family member has been given a cancer
diagnosis.
I have a private practice at my home in Suffolk where I support children, adults, parents and
families using my years of experience in the above roles to support neurodiversity, long term
illness, end of life, bereavement, trauma, anxiety and depression.
I continue to be creative and love running and walking with our dog.