Clara Fantoni
Integrative Psychotherapist & Creative Therapist
MA Integrative Arts Psychotherapy
Therapists
Hello! I’m Clara (they/them), I am an Integrative Psychotherapist offering psychotherapy and creative therapies as an art therapy trainee . I work with all types of people and I have experience across a diverse range of mental heath settings such as the NHS, Macmillan, Spectra and the NHS Sussex Gender Service I work with a variety of mental health areas such as bereavement, trauma, PTSD, gender dysphoria, depression, anxiety, relational and attachment issues, sexuality and gender identity, OCD, psychosis, recovering from abuse, personality disorder, low mood, low self-esteem, shame, neurodiversity, minority stress. I have experience working within the NHS secondary care in an outpatient hospital as well as in non-profit community based therapy settings. I work 1-1 with clients and also have experience facilitating group therapy within the NHS and non-profit sector.
My approach centre’s around holding unconditional positive regard and compassion for my clients, as well as practicing in a confidential, relational and non-judgmental way. I believe in working in a non-pathologizing way, focusing on how people are impacted by the flawed systems we live in, rather than locating the problem within an individual. I draw on multiple Integrative Psychotherapy techniques and approaches. My sessions are led by you, your needs and preferences. Some clients will be more drawn to talk therapy and others to the arts, or a blend of the two. The theoretical frameworks I draw upon are made up of Gestalt, Psychodynamic, Person-Centered, Compassion Focus and the Six Therapeutic Relationships. I work in a Trauma Informed way and draw on Systemic approaches, as researched by Resmaa Menakem and Queer Theorists. I am passionate about working in an Intersectional and anti-oppressive manner that celebrates and elevates all diversity. Therapy is a place where a safe container can be created to process, re-experience and reintegrate trauma, emotions and memories. Having your story heard in a safe and compassionate space is an impactful way to reclaim parts of self and power. It is not what happens to us but how we are held and supported through it that determines how trauma is processed. Therapy is a way of re-visiting and re-writing our stories and can help us move towards our authentic and self-compassionate selves. Some clients may be more drawn to talk therapy and others to process through the arts. We do not necessarily need to talk or name the trauma in order to process it, the arts can be a safe way to engage with difficult topics and to process from different perspectives in a holistic way. Professional Standards: I am fully insured, working towards H-CPC accreditation and a trainee member of BAAT, the British Association Of Art Therapists, registration number 68713 . I am a trainee member of the UKCP 2011195426. I am a member of the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office) Registration number ZB967558 and adhere to GDPR.
My practice is Neurodiverse affirmative. I work with Gender Sex Relationship Diversity frameworks and Queer Theory. I am Trans, Intersex and Gender Diverse affirmative and Trauma Informed. I celebrate diversity in all variations. I offer a free 15 min initial phone consultation.