Dr Tracey Murray | HCPC reg Art Psychotherapist

Dr Tracey Murray| HCPC reg Art Psychotherapist| Reg no:AS07685

North Belfast & Online | Young People, Adults & Parents

Individual Session Fee: £75

I am Tracey, the Founder and Clinical Lead of Heart Therapy NI.  I am an Art Psychotherapist and Clinical Supervisor with 20 years' of diverse experience helping people of all ages navigate traumatic and difficult life experiences and challenging issues. I currently work with young people (from age 11 years) and adults with a specialist focus on trauma, neurodivergence, relationships, parent and carer stress. I believe that therapy is a relational process, built on the foundation of safety, trust, and compassion. I offer a safe, creative exploration of thoughts and feelings without expectation or judgement. My aim is to empower you in the therapy space, gain a deeper understanding and authentic connection to yourself, and build on your strengths to foster lasting resilience. I integrate creative, relational and trauma-informed therapeutic approaches to co-create a service tailored to your unique needs and presenting issues.

"I help you engage creatively and at your pace to find the courage to let go of what no longer serves you well"

Areas of Specialism and Focus

Trauma

I have extensive experience working with children, young people and adults who have experienced different types of trauma, including PTSD, Complex, Developmental and Relational Trauma. I offer support for  emotional dysregulation; to re-negotiate safety, process fear, rebuild connection and self-esteem. I work with the long-term emotional, somatic and behavioural impact of childhood neglect, abuse, and dysfunction. I also help to process grief that is complicated and traumatic by the circumstances of the loss. 

Neurodivergence

I have over 20 years experience working with and supporting people of all ages with neurodivergence, including Autism and ADHD. I provide support to help individuals explore their identity and relationships, fostering a journey towards self-understanding and self-acceptance.
I support people experiencing the physical, emotional and sensory impact of nativagting the demands of everyday life. 

Relationships

I work with teens and adults to help them explore and understand themselves better and how they relate to others. This includes how  relational patterns and family dynamics impact on social, emotional and behavioural aspects of life.

Parent and Carer Stress

As a practitioner with personal experience in the complexities of care-giving, I provide support to those in a care-giving role. I help parents/caregivers move beyond overwhelm and burnout by identifying and establishing practical ways to manage and regulate. I aim for parents/caregivers to be heard, seen, understood and to engage with their strengths.

My Therapeutic Approach

Art Therapy

Using art materials as a non-verbal expression and creative means to externalise your inner thoughts, feelings and experiences.

Relational Sandtray Therapy

Using miniatures and small objects to explore how you understand yourself and your interactions in relation to others.

Trauma-informed Therapy

Focusing on the mind-body connection to process trauma. We work with the nervous system to help you understand how your body reacts to stress, helping you find appropriate ways to build safety, re-regulate, and regain control.

Gestalt Therapy

Focusing on the present moment 'here and now' to help you fully process your current thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, promoting self-awareness and personal responsibility.

Psychodynamic Therapy

Exploring how past experiences shape your current thoughts, behaviours and relationships.

Professional Qualifications and Training

  • Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Art Therapy (Queen's University, Belfast)
  • Master of Science Degree in Art Therapy (Queen's University, Belfast)
  • Master of Fine Art Degree (University of Ulster)
  • BA (hons) Degree in Fine Art Sculpture, (Gray's School of Art,  Aberdeen)
  • CPCAB Level 6 in Counselling Supervision 
  • ILM Level 5 in Leadership and Management
  • Level 1 & 2 in Dyadic Parent-Child Art Psychotherapy (BAAT)
  • Traumatic Bereavement: Working Therapeutically with Children and Young People (Anna Freud Trauma Centre)
  • Trauma and the Body: Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute)
  • Somatic Experiencing Introduction (SE Ireland)
  • Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
  • Connections Link Life Suicide Prevention Training (Fresh Minds Education)
  • Mental Health First Aid
  • Adult & Child Safeguarding Training (Volunteer Now)
  • Autism Training: Sensory Processing, Fundamentals of Autism, Autism and the Teenage Years 
  • Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA Society)
  • Member of the British Association of Art Therapists (reg no:24475)