Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness in Art Therapy with South Asian Women

​

Sangita and Louise will discuss their recent work with the South Asian Women's Art Therapy group at Manchester Art Gallery, highlighting how they incorporated mindfulness into the sessions. Sangita will share her perspective as an Art Psychotherapist, while Louise will explore the role of mindfulness in the project. Using artworks on display in the Gallery, mindful looking has proven to be an accessible way for many participants—especially those with lived experience of trauma or difficulty with traditional mindfulness approaches—to engage with and explore mindfulness practices.

​

Louise has 18 years of experience working within the cultural sector and was Health and Wellbeing Manager at Manchester Art Gallery for 12 of those years, working directly with people who were experiencing mental health difficulties, social exclusion and trauma. She has a special interest in mindfulness-based engagement with cultural collections and trauma-informed practice in museums and galleries. She is co-creator of Room to Breathe, Manchester Art Gallery's mindfulness exhibition and wellbeing space, still on display. She was delighted to work with Sangita Mistry and her colleagues at Greater Manchester Rape Crisis on the South Asian Women's Art Therapy Group where mindfulness was integrated into the weekly sessions.