Gemma Wrigley
@gemmawrigley.com
Art Psychotherapist (HCPC) | Eternal student |Psychodynamic Practice | Creative Health | Nature-based therapy | Phenomenology | CYP | Manchester, UK
Reposted by Gemma Wrigley
Our therapists use drama, art, play and music to help children explore and express emotions in safe, creative ways. This helps to improve:
✅ Self-regulation and resilience
✅ Relationships with peers and adults
✅ Readiness to learn
Find out more: bit.ly/46subs7
✅ Self-regulation and resilience
✅ Relationships with peers and adults
✅ Readiness to learn
Find out more: bit.ly/46subs7
October 16, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Our therapists use drama, art, play and music to help children explore and express emotions in safe, creative ways. This helps to improve:
✅ Self-regulation and resilience
✅ Relationships with peers and adults
✅ Readiness to learn
Find out more: bit.ly/46subs7
✅ Self-regulation and resilience
✅ Relationships with peers and adults
✅ Readiness to learn
Find out more: bit.ly/46subs7
If you're in/near Manchester, go and see the Joan Brossa exhibition at Manchester Uni. It's a delight! @uomcreativemcr.bsky.social
September 17, 2025 at 7:31 PM
If you're in/near Manchester, go and see the Joan Brossa exhibition at Manchester Uni. It's a delight! @uomcreativemcr.bsky.social
Arrived today. I wish I was Johnny 5!
September 8, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Arrived today. I wish I was Johnny 5!
The fruits of foraging...connecting through beautiful inks
August 25, 2025 at 3:24 PM
The fruits of foraging...connecting through beautiful inks
I was introduced to this film last night by Len Lye. It's a cameraless animation, painted and scratched directly onto the film. I found it so playful and joyous. It really made me smile. Take a break for 4 mins and see for yourself 😊 youtu.be/2DboSrBmFYE?...
Swinging The Lambeth Walk - Len Lye (1939)
YouTube video by optimisticwombatninja08
youtu.be
August 15, 2025 at 10:58 AM
I was introduced to this film last night by Len Lye. It's a cameraless animation, painted and scratched directly onto the film. I found it so playful and joyous. It really made me smile. Take a break for 4 mins and see for yourself 😊 youtu.be/2DboSrBmFYE?...
Reposted by Gemma Wrigley
Wow, this 3,400 year-old ancient Egyptian paint box still contains original pigments!
Looks similar to a modern-day set!
An inscription tells us it belonged to Amenemope, Vizier during the reign of Amenhotep II.
📷 Cleveland Museum of Art www.clevelandart.org/art/1914.680
#Archaeology
Looks similar to a modern-day set!
An inscription tells us it belonged to Amenemope, Vizier during the reign of Amenhotep II.
📷 Cleveland Museum of Art www.clevelandart.org/art/1914.680
#Archaeology
![Cleveland Museum photo showing an ancient Egyptian paint box carved from boxwood with five oval wells containing original paint pigments. From top to bottom the preserved cake pigments are red (red ochre), blue (Egyptian blue), green (a mixture of Egyptian blue, yellow ochre, and orpiment) and two of black (carbon black, from charcoal). Dimensions 2.2 cm x 21 cm x 3.6 cm.
On the front of the box there’s an inscription inlaid in Egyptian blue with the name Amenemope who was Vizier during the reign of Amenhotep II, Dynasty 18. It translates as ‘The overseer of the city and vizier Amenemope. Master of secrets of the west bank [of Thebes]’. A red inscription on the back reads ‘Amen-Ra, Lord of the Thrones of the Two Lands’. Dated c. 1427-1401 BC.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:j56ydp325adovobhwpkzc6sp/bafkreidtz22s6cb7oltnetxyjuy7noamae7b6uvybuihgjltazydpivwfe@jpeg)
August 2, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Wow, this 3,400 year-old ancient Egyptian paint box still contains original pigments!
Looks similar to a modern-day set!
An inscription tells us it belonged to Amenemope, Vizier during the reign of Amenhotep II.
📷 Cleveland Museum of Art www.clevelandart.org/art/1914.680
#Archaeology
Looks similar to a modern-day set!
An inscription tells us it belonged to Amenemope, Vizier during the reign of Amenhotep II.
📷 Cleveland Museum of Art www.clevelandart.org/art/1914.680
#Archaeology
Today I entered the magical world of DreamStates, where the Ministry of Stories brought the imaginations of children to life...wonderful!
July 28, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Today I entered the magical world of DreamStates, where the Ministry of Stories brought the imaginations of children to life...wonderful!
Herbie Hancock giving a Vocoder Sermon about ethics, our one human family, and teaching kindness to AI will be a highlight of my life. Bouncing around the stage with childlike energy at age 85. What an inspiration!
July 27, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Herbie Hancock giving a Vocoder Sermon about ethics, our one human family, and teaching kindness to AI will be a highlight of my life. Bouncing around the stage with childlike energy at age 85. What an inspiration!
Reposted by Gemma Wrigley
The wonderful Joanna Macy is coming to the end of her life here, but she has sown seeds of awakening everywhere. 🙏May these forests bloom!
From the book Active Hope:
From the book Active Hope:
July 7, 2025 at 7:10 AM
The wonderful Joanna Macy is coming to the end of her life here, but she has sown seeds of awakening everywhere. 🙏May these forests bloom!
From the book Active Hope:
From the book Active Hope:
This is a fascinating read...
"to mould a fistfull of clay is to encounter a fission and a fusion of deep time and the human present"
Creative therapists will know the temporal properties of clay; often primitive and regressive. When someone chooses to work with clay, we'd better be ready...
"to mould a fistfull of clay is to encounter a fission and a fusion of deep time and the human present"
Creative therapists will know the temporal properties of clay; often primitive and regressive. When someone chooses to work with clay, we'd better be ready...
July 16, 2025 at 6:17 AM
This is a fascinating read...
"to mould a fistfull of clay is to encounter a fission and a fusion of deep time and the human present"
Creative therapists will know the temporal properties of clay; often primitive and regressive. When someone chooses to work with clay, we'd better be ready...
"to mould a fistfull of clay is to encounter a fission and a fusion of deep time and the human present"
Creative therapists will know the temporal properties of clay; often primitive and regressive. When someone chooses to work with clay, we'd better be ready...
Reposted by Gemma Wrigley
All children, regardless of their background, should have the opportunity to study a rich creative curriculum.
Curious Minds is proud to support @theartsandmindscampaign
Sign the open letter to the Secretary of State for Education at tinyurl.com/MakeSpaceFor...
Curious Minds is proud to support @theartsandmindscampaign
Sign the open letter to the Secretary of State for Education at tinyurl.com/MakeSpaceFor...
July 8, 2025 at 5:14 PM
All children, regardless of their background, should have the opportunity to study a rich creative curriculum.
Curious Minds is proud to support @theartsandmindscampaign
Sign the open letter to the Secretary of State for Education at tinyurl.com/MakeSpaceFor...
Curious Minds is proud to support @theartsandmindscampaign
Sign the open letter to the Secretary of State for Education at tinyurl.com/MakeSpaceFor...
An Inheritance (Manchester International Festival) is a time capsule artwork. It's wonderful! It made me laugh and cry. Hundreds of messages from hundreds of children will be stored and rediscovered in 2125. I wonder what the kids of the future will make of it? What would you like to say to them?
July 8, 2025 at 3:01 PM
An Inheritance (Manchester International Festival) is a time capsule artwork. It's wonderful! It made me laugh and cry. Hundreds of messages from hundreds of children will be stored and rediscovered in 2125. I wonder what the kids of the future will make of it? What would you like to say to them?
Reposted by Gemma Wrigley
Thank you to Daisy Fancourt, who set out the challenges but also the quantified impact of arts & culture as a solution to supporting the crisis of young people's mental health, at this month's APPG Roundtable!
Read more on Daisy's call to action! sbbresearch.org/professor-da...
Read more on Daisy's call to action! sbbresearch.org/professor-da...
"It’s no exaggeration to say that young people’s mental health is in crisis."
So what can we do? Check out Prof Daisy Fancourt's recent speech at Westminster, sharing evidence on how creative health activities can support young people 💭
sbbresearch.org/professor-da...
Thanks to @ncch.bsky.social
So what can we do? Check out Prof Daisy Fancourt's recent speech at Westminster, sharing evidence on how creative health activities can support young people 💭
sbbresearch.org/professor-da...
Thanks to @ncch.bsky.social
June 17, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Thank you to Daisy Fancourt, who set out the challenges but also the quantified impact of arts & culture as a solution to supporting the crisis of young people's mental health, at this month's APPG Roundtable!
Read more on Daisy's call to action! sbbresearch.org/professor-da...
Read more on Daisy's call to action! sbbresearch.org/professor-da...
When I first started working in MH, I was one of those suggesting "everyone should learn this in school" but I also now agree with Dr Foulkes; we need to listen to young people and offer responsive, tailored, relational support to those in need...ensuring everyone knows how to ask for help.
I’m in the Guardian today, arguing that we should stop them all-class mental health lessons in schools
I've thought very carefully about ‘going public’ with this, because it's a sensitive argument to make, especially in the face of so many young people struggling.
(cont 🧵)
tinyurl.com/vun92cz7
I've thought very carefully about ‘going public’ with this, because it's a sensitive argument to make, especially in the face of so many young people struggling.
(cont 🧵)
tinyurl.com/vun92cz7
Mental-health lessons in schools sound like a great idea. The trouble is, they don’t work | Lucy Foulkes
All-class therapy sessions don’t help, and may even make matters worse. The evidence shows we need different solutions, says Dr Lucy Foulkes, an academic psychologist at Oxford University
www.theguardian.com
May 24, 2025 at 6:45 AM
When I first started working in MH, I was one of those suggesting "everyone should learn this in school" but I also now agree with Dr Foulkes; we need to listen to young people and offer responsive, tailored, relational support to those in need...ensuring everyone knows how to ask for help.
Ever wondered what art therapy is like? Here are some voices of people who have experienced it...
What's it like to experience Art Therapy?
YouTube video by Discover Arts Therapies
www.youtube.com
May 13, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Ever wondered what art therapy is like? Here are some voices of people who have experienced it...
I had my portrait drawn at the Kids Market by Mary, age 6. She was very serious about her drawings. I love it!
May 10, 2025 at 4:39 PM
I had my portrait drawn at the Kids Market by Mary, age 6. She was very serious about her drawings. I love it!
Reposted by Gemma Wrigley
Attention, members! We're co-hosting a FREE members only online event with The British Association of Art Therapists and The British Association of Drama Therapists. This CPD session will build your understanding of what we do, how you can get involved and more: baat.org/event/free-c...
May 6, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Attention, members! We're co-hosting a FREE members only online event with The British Association of Art Therapists and The British Association of Drama Therapists. This CPD session will build your understanding of what we do, how you can get involved and more: baat.org/event/free-c...
If you work with young people and can make time tomorrow, I highly recommend joining this event. Learn and be inspired by excellent practice in working creatively with young people and listen to the words of wisdom they have to share...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-future...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-future...
The Future Is Ours Symposium Online - 9th May
Get ready for a day of inspiring talks and discussions about shaping the future together at The Future Is Ours Symposium Online!
www.eventbrite.co.uk
May 8, 2025 at 5:21 PM
If you work with young people and can make time tomorrow, I highly recommend joining this event. Learn and be inspired by excellent practice in working creatively with young people and listen to the words of wisdom they have to share...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-future...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-future...
Reposted by Gemma Wrigley
My husband has taught human reproduction and development to the Cambridge medics for over three decades. When people start banging on about "only two biological sexes" he starts with "which sex: genetic, hormonal, or gonadal"?
Biological sex is not binary. www.scientificamerican.com/article/sex-...
Biological sex is not binary. www.scientificamerican.com/article/sex-...
Sex Redefined: The Idea of 2 Sexes Is Overly Simplistic
Biologists now think there is a larger spectrum than just binary female and male
www.scientificamerican.com
April 16, 2025 at 12:03 PM
My husband has taught human reproduction and development to the Cambridge medics for over three decades. When people start banging on about "only two biological sexes" he starts with "which sex: genetic, hormonal, or gonadal"?
Biological sex is not binary. www.scientificamerican.com/article/sex-...
Biological sex is not binary. www.scientificamerican.com/article/sex-...
"Art facilitates connection and conversation"
I enjoyed this podcast, thinking about the benefits of artmaking and creativity in supporting healthcare professionals. Also really great explanations of some of the therapeutic actions of art therapy.
I enjoyed this podcast, thinking about the benefits of artmaking and creativity in supporting healthcare professionals. Also really great explanations of some of the therapeutic actions of art therapy.
In the latest episode of #TheDoctorPod we hear from Dr Sabina Dosani and @megantj.bsky.social about art therapy and how the creative process can help healthcare professionals with burnout.
The podcast brings you the voices of doctors, for doctors. Listen now 👉 thedoctor.bma.org.uk/podcast
The podcast brings you the voices of doctors, for doctors. Listen now 👉 thedoctor.bma.org.uk/podcast
April 14, 2025 at 6:11 AM
"Art facilitates connection and conversation"
I enjoyed this podcast, thinking about the benefits of artmaking and creativity in supporting healthcare professionals. Also really great explanations of some of the therapeutic actions of art therapy.
I enjoyed this podcast, thinking about the benefits of artmaking and creativity in supporting healthcare professionals. Also really great explanations of some of the therapeutic actions of art therapy.
Reposted by Gemma Wrigley
What is therapeutic life story work ❓️
Pleased to contribute to #baat #inscape hot topics looking at developments in art therapy.
🔗Read the article: bit.ly/4hPideM
#ArtTherapy #Therapy
Pleased to contribute to #baat #inscape hot topics looking at developments in art therapy.
🔗Read the article: bit.ly/4hPideM
#ArtTherapy #Therapy
Therapeutic life story work in art therapy - The British Association Of Art Therapists
In this series of articles looking at developments in art therapy practice, Joanna Stevens talks about psychoeducation in art therapy.
bit.ly
April 11, 2025 at 8:03 PM
What is therapeutic life story work ❓️
Pleased to contribute to #baat #inscape hot topics looking at developments in art therapy.
🔗Read the article: bit.ly/4hPideM
#ArtTherapy #Therapy
Pleased to contribute to #baat #inscape hot topics looking at developments in art therapy.
🔗Read the article: bit.ly/4hPideM
#ArtTherapy #Therapy
So fresh! Bursting with potential!
March 30, 2025 at 6:14 PM
So fresh! Bursting with potential!
Check out my BMJ blog post, reflecting on how artmaking and art psychotherapy can inspire climate leadership, and support for distress caused by climate change blogs.bmj.com/bmjleader/20...
March 30, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Check out my BMJ blog post, reflecting on how artmaking and art psychotherapy can inspire climate leadership, and support for distress caused by climate change blogs.bmj.com/bmjleader/20...
This is such an interesting conversation.
"keep holding space for complexity"
"keep holding space for complexity"
The Paradox of Alternative Spaces: Q&A with Sascha Altman DuBrul
“at the intersection of the public mental health system & the Mad Underground”
www.psychiatrymargins.com/p/the-parado...
“at the intersection of the public mental health system & the Mad Underground”
www.psychiatrymargins.com/p/the-parado...
The Paradox of Alternative Spaces: Q&A with Sascha Altman DuBrul
“at the intersection of the public mental health system & the Mad Underground.”
www.psychiatrymargins.com
March 29, 2025 at 6:06 PM
This is such an interesting conversation.
"keep holding space for complexity"
"keep holding space for complexity"