Rebecca Furniss McGuire

Hi, I’m Rebecca McGuire and I am a Creative Arts Therapist.  I have recently joined Youth Arts and Health Trust, inspired to support children and young people using creativity in the therapeutic relationship.

 

I also work with University Students in the Mental Health and Wellbeing services at Exeter University, where we support young adults with enduring mental health diagnoses, to value their aspirations, and develop coping skills for wellbeing.

 

Sometimes it’s hard to put your experiences into words, but the arts can help with expression, self-understanding and finding some resolutions inside of yourself.  Sessions are led by you; they might include movement and play with gestures to aid your expression.  You might be able to discover your own version of soothing movements, or how you associate with images and enjoy using art materials in the therapy relationship. 

 

Previously, I have worked in youth services at Centrepoint in London, where I  simultaneously trained as a Dramatherapist at Roehampton University, graduating in 2010.  My training placements were in NHS youth inpatient mental health services and Pupil Referral Units.  I have therapeutically supported students in Alternative Provision schooling in Bristol and London.  I trained further in Counselling for primary and secondary schools and worked in numerous schools across Bristol, including Post16, for The Bridge Foundation.

 

I enjoyed being a creative arts counsellor for Off The Record with young people ages 11-25, and loved their varied creative approaches to supporting youth mental health.  I have also worked for Foster Care Associates supporting families who are fostering. 

 

I am an experienced Foster carer myself with a passion for providing emotional support to children, young people and their families, who have had the difficult experience of being separated from their birth families and being part of the care system.