our team
Samantha Hickman, MA AThR - FOunder & Art Psychotherapist
Samantha is a HCPC-registered Art Psychotherapist and full member of the British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT). She qualified from LASALLE College of the Arts, Singapore (accredited by Goldsmith's University).
Sam became an art therapist to integrate her own creative practice into working with others. She believes passionately in the creative process to support mental well-being, empowering people to develop sustainable ways of coping.
In Singapore, she worked with a leading cancer charity as part of their psyco-social team. Since relocating to the UK in 2019, Sam has worked with charity and local organisations offering a socially engaged community and private practice. She covers a wide spectrum of reasons for therapy from living with cancer, depression, stress, and anxiety, to anger, grief & loss, and trauma, and works both with groups or on an individual basis.
Sam works predominantly with adults and has specialised in supporting people living with cancer. As a parent carer, she also supports parents of SEND children to navigate their journey. She works with a wide range of art materials to explore the creative process in a welcoming, confidential and non-judgemental space to foster insight, and awareness, whilst building resilience and new perspectives.
Sam has exhibited in Singapore and the UK, has delivered online and in-person workshops at international conferences and universities, and is a published writer on art therapy, practices and processes. She regularly contributes to regional art therapy continued professional development and is available for supervision.
She is a full member of the British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT) and is HCPC registered. She is also DBS approved.
katrina bennet, MA AThR - Art Psychotherapist
Katrina is a HCPC-registered Art Psychotherapist and full member of the British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT). She qualified from LASALLE College of the Arts, Singapore (accredited by Goldsmith's University).
In Singapore she worked in a leading international school as part of the counselling team, providing art psychotherapy for students aged 4-18. Since 2022 Katrina has been working for the NHS, initially in an adult in-patient psychiatric setting and currently in secondary mental health in the community, providing art pyschotherapy to adults with complex and enduring mental health difficulties.
At Hope Art Therapy Katrina works predominantly with children and young people to support them in externalising experiences, feelings and thoughts (which may be difficult to express verbally) through the creative process. She offers a wide variety of art materials to be explored in a safe, confidential and reflective space, as well as pyscho-educational material to enable an understanding of different experiences and behaviours.
Katrina has exhibited in Singapore and the UK, has delivered in-person workshops at international conferences, and is a published writer on art therapy, practices and processes.
She is a full member of the British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT) and is HCPC registered. She is also DBS approved.
Laura Steen, MA AThR - Art Psychotherapist
Laura is a HCPC-registered Art Psychotherapist and member of the British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT). She qualified from the University of South Wales, UK.
Laura spent ten years working in creativity for wellbeing before qualifying, delivering workshops in mental health charities, social enterprises, homeless hostels, and schools, as well as working freelance. She is also trained in leading therapeutic creative writing workshops.
Her decision to train as an Art Psychotherapist grew from working in a high-support hostel in London for people experiencing homelessness and acute mental health difficulties, where she saw first-hand the power of creative expression to change lives.
Laura has provided Art Therapy in a range of settings, including with young people in a Pupil Referral Unit, people living with dementia in the NHS, and adults with mental health conditions in the community. She works with individuals and groups of all ages and backgrounds and is inspired by innovative ways of delivering therapy, from running sessions outdoors to piloting a virtual Art Therapy in Museums group during her NHS placement.
Her approach is person-centred and integrative, grounded in evidence-based methods. She offers a wide variety of art materials in her sessions, and whilst she has a specialist interest in creative writing, poetry and natural/found objects she always shapes sessions around each client’s needs. Laura offers support with challenges such as low mood, depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, struggles with body image and addiction.
She is a full member of the British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT) and is HCPC registered. She is also DBS approved.
Organisations We Work With
