Cartooning for Therapists - using visuals to support clients to learn therapeutic breathing techniques

I love the universality of visuals. I love how the simplest images can really break down barriers. I love how I never know where my work is going to take me next. 

 

Recently I’ve been working on some quick sketches to help therapists working with clients affected by trauma, using breathing and body work techniques. I translate a verbal explanation of a breathing exercise into simple language and then capture the essence in rough cartoon form. The text is then translated by qualified interpreters into a range of languages for clients. 

 

As one of the therapists explains: 

“When working as a therapist with people whose first language is not English, the visuals - the graphic and body language - are really important. Having visual tools is vital to transfer and share information and to help with the therapeutic process. Helen’s picture is instantly recognisable. Its clarity and its simple but strong message is such a help to me and to my clients. There is a joy and a cheerfulness in Helen’s work which does lighten what can be a very difficult process.”