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Gemma Wrigley

@gemmawrigley.com
661 followers 597 following 72 posts

Art Psychotherapist (HCPC) Eternal student | Psychodynamic Practice | CYP | Creative Health | Nature-based therapy | Phenomenology | Manchester, UK

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Reposted by Gemma Wrigley
One Education @oneeducation.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
🌱 The Family Play Programme helps to promote the development of healthy self-esteem, emotional regulation, and resilience. A chance to engage in playful, nurturing activities that strengthen attachments between children and their caregivers. 📧 cpeadmin@oneeducation.co.uk
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Gemma Wrigley @gemmawrigley.com · 23/02/2026
My first publication with the International Journal of Art Therapy is live and I'm proud to say I have won the early career researcher prize! I hope it furthers our understanding of arts-based healthcare and what might work best for whom, when, how and why. www.tandfonline.com/eprint/KXZFQ...
tandfonline.com
Practitioners’ experiences of holding when delivering art therapy, compared with arts-for-health activities
High-profile evidence positions arts-based activities as viable and beneficial healthcare practices. However, studies do not sufficiently delineate the therapeutic actions of art psychotherapy from...
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One Education @oneeducation.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
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
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Gemma Wrigley @gemmawrigley.com · 17/09/2025
If you're in/near Manchester, go and see the Joan Brossa exhibition at Manchester Uni. It's a delight! @uomcreativemcr.bsky.social
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Gemma Wrigley @gemmawrigley.com · 08/09/2025
Arrived today. I wish I was Johnny 5!
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Gemma Wrigley @gemmawrigley.com · 25/08/2025
The fruits of foraging...connecting through beautiful inks
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Gemma Wrigley @gemmawrigley.com · 15/08/2025
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?...
youtu.be
Swinging The Lambeth Walk - Len Lye (1939)
YouTube video by optimisticwombatninja08
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Alison Fisk @alisonfisk.bsky.social · 02/08/2025
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
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.
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Gemma Wrigley @gemmawrigley.com · 28/07/2025
Today I entered the magical world of DreamStates, where the Ministry of Stories brought the imaginations of children to life...wonderful!
A cardboard cloud with luggage tags hanging from it. The tags have dreams written on them. One says "my dream is to knit the longest scarf in the whole world". In the background are lots more tags and fairy lights
A plate of pretend food. A tag on the egg reads "Happiness is an egg that doesn't know it's been scrambled"
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Annie Leymarie @annieleymarie.bsky.social · 07/07/2025
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:
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Gemma Wrigley @gemmawrigley.com · 16/07/2025
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...
An orange book cover with images of clay objects. The book is titled Clay: a human history, by Jennifer Lucy Allen. The book is next to a green ceramic pot containing a string-of-hearts plant.
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Curious Minds @curiousminds.org.uk · 08/07/2025
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...
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Gemma Wrigley @gemmawrigley.com · 08/07/2025
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?
A slightly transparent enveloped addressed to Manchester Art Gallery (UK). At the top it reads (to be returned to Manchester Art Gallery UK in 2125). Where a stamp would normally be there is a box with the words "do stamps still exist?"
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National Centre for Creative Health @ncch.bsky.social · 17/06/2025
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...
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Gemma Wrigley @gemmawrigley.com · 24/05/2025
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.
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Gemma Wrigley @gemmawrigley.com · 13/05/2025
Ever wondered what art therapy is like? Here are some voices of people who have experienced it...
youtube.com
What's it like to experience Art Therapy?
YouTube video by Discover Arts Therapies
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Gemma Wrigley @gemmawrigley.com · 10/05/2025
I had my portrait drawn at the Kids Market by Mary, age 6. She was very serious about her drawings. I love it!
A simple pencil portrait of a woman with short hair, earrings and glasses on top of her head
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musictherapyuk.bsky.social @musictherapyuk.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
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...
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Gemma Wrigley @gemmawrigley.com · 08/05/2025
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...
eventbrite.co.uk
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!
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Prof Katherine Schofield 🇬🇧🇦🇺🇪🇺 @katherineschof8.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
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-...
scientificamerican.com
Sex Redefined: The Idea of 2 Sexes Is Overly Simplistic
Biologists now think there is a larger spectrum than just binary female and male
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Gemma Wrigley @gemmawrigley.com · 14/04/2025
"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.
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Katie Wrench @katiewrench.bsky.social · 11/04/2025
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
bit.ly
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.
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Gemma Wrigley @gemmawrigley.com · 30/03/2025
So fresh! Bursting with potential!
Fresh green buds growing at the end of a tree branch
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Gemma Wrigley @gemmawrigley.com · 30/03/2025
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...
blogs.bmj.com
Lessons from beech masts, for clinical practice and beyond. By Gemma Wrigley – The official blog of BMJ Leader
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Gemma Wrigley @gemmawrigley.com · 29/03/2025
This is such an interesting conversation. "keep holding space for complexity"
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Gemma Wrigley @gemmawrigley.com · 28/03/2025
About to embark on this 😬
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Lorna Collins @sensinglorna.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
There are a few spaces left in the #ACreativeTransformation writing workshop for young people and young carers of people with lived experience of brain injury in Manchester on April 4. Don’t miss this opportunity, sign up here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/writing-fo... Please tell everyone you know!
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Gemma Wrigley @gemmawrigley.com · 19/03/2025
"If you spend numerous years promoting a national awareness of mental health, and encouraging people to “reach out” and “seek help”, then eventually, they’ll… do that." Exactly.
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Gemma Wrigley @gemmawrigley.com · 14/03/2025
I published an article on BMJ Leader about climate leadership in healthcare, how artmaking inspires me, and the role of art therapy in supporting ourselves, clients and the systems in which we live and work. How does nature inspire you? #arttherapy #climatecrisis #climateleadership #GreenerAHP
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Gemma Wrigley @gemmawrigley.com · 06/03/2025
Very happy to see BAMT here 👋
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Gemma Wrigley @gemmawrigley.com · 27/02/2025
I passed my MA Art Psychotherapy with distinction! 🎉 So looking forward to getting my HCPC reg and getting to work!
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Lorna Collins @sensinglorna.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
I'm very keen to connect with young people with lived experience of #acquiredbraininjury for a free writing for wellbeing workshop in #Manchester on March 7. Travel expenses paid (up to £30 per participant). Please connect, share info around all your networks: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/writing-fo...
eventbrite.co.uk
Writing for wellbeing through lived experience of brain injury
For young people and young carers (aged 16-25) of people with lived experience of brain injury.
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Dr Lucy Foulkes @lucyfoulkes.bsky.social · 01/02/2025
I have just been sent a shareable link so this article can be accessed for free: www.wsj.com/health/welln...
wsj.com
Essay | Stop Panicking Over Teens and Social Media
Modern life is digital. Adults need to help young people navigate the costs and benefits, not launch bans and hope for the best.
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Gemma Wrigley @gemmawrigley.com · 27/01/2025
I will be a co-facilitator at this event. If you are in the UK and work with (or know any) young people who have experienced brain injury, please share 🙏
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Gemma Wrigley @gemmawrigley.com · 21/12/2024
Ah, the Winter Solstice is here again. I love this day, bursting with hope as the light returns. This week I visited Wirksworth in the Peak District and enjoyed contemplating the vastness of things from the StarDisc stone circle. Do any of you mark the Solstice?
Sunshine in a winter blue sky with clouds, a silhouette of a tree. In the foreground is a portion of a large stone circle (called StarDisk) mapped with star charts representing our place in the universe.
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Gemma Wrigley @gemmawrigley.com · 12/12/2024
I feel sad to have ended my final student placement with @penninecarenhs.bsky.social secondary care psychological therapies this week. It was a golden opportunity to work within a team of inspirational clinicians. Working long-term, at depth, with my clients has been a great privilege...
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Gemma Wrigley @gemmawrigley.com · 05/12/2024
Wow! Tonight I heard a transmutation of the experience of a heart attack into a magnificent orchestral suite, complete with pipe organ and siren-like strings. It was art as visceral communication. Thank you @nitinsawhney.bsky.social May the rhythm of your heart keep the music flowing ❤️
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Gemma Wrigley @gemmawrigley.com · 27/11/2024
"Be excessively gentle with yourself. Stay clear of those vexed in spirit. Learn to linger around someone of ease Who feels they have all the time in the world." Some favourite lines from John O'Donohue (For One Who Is Exhausted)
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Gemma Wrigley @gemmawrigley.com · 27/11/2024
A great follow if you like artworks in your feed.
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Lee Constable @constababble.bsky.social · 24/11/2024
I did it. If you also say "thank you" to the bus driver when you get off the bus, please let me know and I will add you. Please follow these driver thankers who are probably also good community members in other ways. go.bsky.app/6FDjhev
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Gemma Wrigley @gemmawrigley.com · 24/11/2024
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Gemma Wrigley @gemmawrigley.com · 21/11/2024
Simple knitting and doodling definitely improves my capacity for listening and retaining information
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Gemma Wrigley @gemmawrigley.com · 20/11/2024
Earlier this year I saw a beautiful iridescent cloud drifting in the #bluesky
Blue sky with an iridescent cloud
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Peggy Kolodny Not Just Art Therapy! @gigipeg.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
go.bsky.app/JLyCCUJ
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Aaron Balick 🍉 @aaronbalick.com · 17/11/2024
This group still has scores of slots left. If you’re posting about depth psychology, psychoanalysis, Freud, Jung, Object Relations, Relational Psychoanalysis, etc. drop me a line and I’ll include you in the starter pack. Non-dogmatic! go.bsky.app/D8D9ARz
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marybeard @wmarybeard.bsky.social · 16/11/2024
should art ever be destroyed? a debate in the RA magazine in which I argue, carefully, that to make it inviolable disempowers it.
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Karie Bookish @kariebookish.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
I feel like I'm a broken record, but the only way we can make this place work is if we don't bring over a lot of bad behaviour we picked up over at the bird site. Sit back and think about how you make this an app you'll want to open every day.
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Awais Aftab @awaisaftab.bsky.social · 14/11/2024
I wrote about psychiatric diagnosis for Psyche magazine — what it means & what it doesn’t mean. If you are looking for a no-nonsense general intro to diagnosis in mental healthcare or you are grappling with your own diagnosis, this is the piece for you. psyche.co/ideas/what-a...
psyche.co
What a psychiatric diagnosis means – and what it doesn’t mean | Psyche Ideas
With stigma and misunderstanding surrounding mental health, it’s vital to know the benefits and limits of a formal diagnosis
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Gemma Wrigley @gemmawrigley.com · 13/11/2024
In the loop(s) (2024) “I’m eliminating the word ‘individual’ from my vocabulary” This statement (spoken by psychiatrist and psychotherapist Dr. Maria Grazia Turri) remains in my mind. We are never meeting just one person...
Half-knitted fair isle sweater, multicoloured with a chevron design. Threads are left hanging loose from the garment with paper tags attached with names of various people, places and influences on the makers life
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