Grainne McHugh is an Integrative Art Therapist (Institute for Therapy and Education), Psychotherapist, and an EMDR practitioner in training. She is registered with the UKCP and HCPC.
Grainne’s integrative methodology merges art therapy, gestalt, and psychoanalytic insights, fostering profound client change. Her education at IATE grounds her in a spectrum of therapeutic modalities, equipping her to navigate diverse mental health landscapes.
Core competencies include dual diagnosis and a distinctive application of arts in therapy. She thrives on creativity and collaboration, developing personalised, arts-based interventions that resonate with clients’ unique experiences. Her approach is anchored in patience, empathy, and a commitment to building strong therapeutic alliances. She also works verbally.
Grainne’s Background:
Grainne worked in the private sector for many years before training as a therapist. This experience gave her a strong understanding of workplace dynamics, challenges, and stress.
She has worked with adults in specialist mental health inpatient services and charities, offering art psychotherapy to individuals and groups.
Grainne started at Brighton Therapy in 2018 and developed a full private practice. She is currently developing a practice within the Practice Rooms in Brighton and Hove as well as an art therapy drop-in group in Newhaven.
Since 2021, Grainne has worked for the Clinic for Dissociative Studies providing support for individuals who have dissociative disorders. Dissociative disorders typically arise in response to extreme and repetitive trauma and/or abuse in early childhood
Training
Since 2022, Grainne has been involved with her training body The Institute for Arts in Therapy in Education (IATE), both as a dissertation reader and an assessor for the Master’s programme.