About Deborah Withey, owner and lead practitioner
Deborah Withey, an expressive and therapeutic arts practitioner, transmedia journalist, designer, illustrator and lecturer worked as a design director for large metro newspapers in the United States. She led print/digital design, art and photojournalism teams to create meaningful and visually engaging news content for readers.
In 2012, still mid-career, Debs received the International Society of News Design’s (SND) highest honour, the Lifetime Achievement Award for excellence in her craft and as a leader in visual journalism education.
The honour gave Debs the license and courage to leave a career she loved to pursue another love, engaging with individuals with learning, physical and emotional difficulties.
As a creative practitioner I lead a variety of one-to-one and group workshops in the studio which are sensitively designed to bring out an individual’s creative voice. My aim is to gently lead the participant, through the medium of art, to express themselves in whatever way they need. It may be a carefree release of joy or a release from emotional pain.
Her work is for all ages and with those who have or who are suffering from bereavement or going through chemotherapy or recovering from emotional or physical difficulties. She has specific experience in working with those with Aphasia after a stroke and work in tandem with physiotherapy routines.
She is BAAT (British Association of Art Therapists) trained to work through the medium of art and drama with Looked After Children and with individuals of any age with ADL, ASC, low self-esteem, aphasia, grief, and anxiety, I provide my work primarily in partnership with Pembrokeshire CC Social Services, PCC Community Connectors, Stroke Hub Wales, Hearing Loss, The Electrical Trust and Action for Children. Deborah's full CV is available on request or along with a portfolio of her own work at www.cheeseanpickles.carbonmade.com