WHERE YOU ARE NOW IS NOT WHERE YOU WILL ALWAYS BE.

THERE ARE BRIGHTER DAYS AHEAD.

Marie and Beverley are the founders of Brighter Days Ahead CIC Mental Health & Well-being Practice, providing services to Liverpool, Wirral and surrounding areas within the Merseyside and Cheshire region.

We specialise in Drawing and Talking therapy, Sand Play and group work. We are committed to improving the mental health, well-being and positive outcomes for children, young people and adults alike.

Through our private practice we support individuals to explore and process difficult feelings and emotions. We do this using the technique of Drawing & Talking and Sand Play.

As a not for profit CIC and with the help of grants and funding we aim to engage with and support projects that will benefit the mental health and well-being of the wider community.

We have many years’ experience in supporting people who have endured challenging circumstances. We strongly believe in the benefits and positive impact that drawing and talking and sand play can have in supporting people to explore their inner world and feelings within.

Drawing and Talking therapy is the number one alternative to CBT and direct talking therapies, which can often be confronting or limiting in the processing of pain or trauma.

People are twice as likely to use verbal communication to express their emotions whilst drawing, rather than directed questioning.

Our aim is to provide an alternative to traditional talking therapies, because sometimes, there are no words for what is going on in your mind and your heart.

DRAWING & TALKING
1:1 SUPPORT

The individual will be supported by a trained Drawing and Talking Practitioner and will work on a 1:1 basis.

The 12 sessions take place at the same time, same day once per week for 30 minutes.

During the sessions participants can draw anything that they choose and are encouraged to talk about their picture using storytelling language (metaphors) to help them make sense of their internal world.

The method used allows the individual to play by drawing a picture and any emotions that they are holding internally can be processed in a safe and non confrontational way whilst working at their own pace.

SAND PLAY1:1 SUPPORT

As with Drawing and Talking, the same approach and principles apply to Sand Play however the individual will use a sand tray and accompanying imaginative play resources to create a story in the sand. The practitioner will encourage the individual to tell a story about their creation in the sand.

HEALING THROUGH
GROUP WORK

Group work is an opportunity which allows whole groups of people (children, young people, adults, families) to come together and engage in group activities. We do this by exploring different emotions through the power of therapeutic play, drawing and discussion in a safe, professional and respectful environment.

As this is not group therapy, anybody can take part whether or not they have experienced emotional pain or trauma.

A trained Drawing and Talking practitioner will meet with the group once per week for 45 minutes for around 4-12 sessions. Each week we will explore a different emotion, carefully selected and appropriate to the individuals of the group.

If you or someone you know could benefit from the non-invasive technique that Drawing and Talking or Sand Play can provide or would like more information, please reach out to us at:

info@brighterdaysahead.co.uk

CHILDREN

Suitable for children who are:

  • Children of separated parents
  • Children experiencing family illness
  • Adopted / fostered
  • Young parents / vulnerable teenagers
  • Young caregivers
  • LGBTQ+ requiring support
  • Socially disadvantaged
  • Bereaved
  • Ill or disabled
  • Bullied or a bully
  • Survivors of Domestic abuse or neglect
  • Autistic or neurodiverse
  • Struggling with school avoidance/anxiety
  • Struggling with attachment disorders
  • On waiting lists for other services

And as a result may suffer from:

  • Trauma
  • Anxiety, depression, stress or phobias
  • Disrupted or disturbed sleep
  • The effects of domestic Abuse
  • Inability to make friends
  • Inability to play
  • Being withdrawn
  • Inappropriate behaviour
  • Peer or sibling disputes
  • Low Self Esteem
  • Self Harm

ADULTS

Suitable for adults who are:

  • Experiencing relationship/marital difficulties
  • Were adopted / fostered
  • Primary caregivers of parent
  • Primary caregivers of SEN child
  • LGBTQ+ requiring support
  • Socially disadvantaged
  • Bereaved
  • Families dealing with illness or disabilities
  • Experienced redundancy
  • Menopausal
  • Vulnerable in the community
  • Lonely or isolated
  • Elderly
  • Dealing with Dementia
  • Facing a diagnosis or life change
  • Dealing with addictions
  • Victims of crime
  • Affected by the disappearance of a loved one
  • Victims of domestic abuse
  • On waiting lists for other services

And as a result may suffer from:

  • Trauma
  • Anxiety, depression, stress or phobias
  • Disrupted or disturbed sleep
  • Effects of domestic Abuse
  • Stuck in a cycle of behaviours
  • Inability to connect with family or friends
  • Inability to control their anger
  • Being withdrawn
  • Feelings of despair or suicide
  • Grief and Loss
  • Self Harm
  • Low self esteem/confidence
  • Debt, financial insecurity

ORGANISATIONS

Support is available to enhance the emotional wellbeing of your workforce. With a third of our day being spent in work and with increasing environmental and professional pressures it is inevitable that the mental health of staff, no mater what they do, will likely be affected. The duty of care from employers to minimise burnout and stress and support their staff is now more important than ever.

1:1 Support via Drawing and Talking or Sand Play therapy is ideal for individuals and or their family members, who may be experiencing emotional pain or trauma or who have concerns in their professional or personal lives.

Drawing and Talking groupwork is beneficial for groups of employees or organisation members and is a great opportunity to explore any underlying issues or resolve any conflicts arising in or affecting performance both within the workplace and externally.

Drawing and Talking is an extremely cost effective intervention for companies to offer staff and their families and is particularly helpful to support emotional wellbeing, when other services are unable to be accessed or when traditional talking therapies have not worked.

EVEN ON THE DARKEST
DAYS THERE ARE ALWAYS...

GET IN TOUCH

If you or someone you know could benefit from the non-invasive technique that drawing and talking or sand play can provide or would like more information, please reach out to us…