Maria Teresa Hernandez 

Art therapy, fine arts production, and the study and practice of mindfulness meditation and yoga are areas of enormous interest to me both personally and professionally.

I think that life is challenging and there is great benefit to a supportive, non-judgmental space to explore concerns and gain self-awareness.

I have worked as an art-therapist for eight years.

I have had direct contact with clients by facilitating groups, and providing individual counselling, applying mindfulness and art therapy interventions to treat cognitive emotional or behavioural disturbances. The support groups that I have facilitated assist women in breaking isolation and making connection with those who have had similar experiences.  The groups create opportunities for women to acknowledge their strengths and to develop new skills and resources, through peer discussion and creative expression. Through this process women continue to heal, create safety and well being for themselves, their families and their communities. 

Completing the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (SP) Training Program Level 1: Affect Dysregulation, Survival Defences and Traumatic Memory has been crucial in my work. It is evident how trauma affects the body deeply and numerous symptoms are somatically based. The SP training has enriched the body-based awareness practices I have offered to groups, to explore the effects of trauma, reconnect with the body, and bring back a somatic sense of self. The SP body-oriented interventions have also helped in building somatic resources and stabilizing client’s dysregulated arousal.

The Mindsight Intensives educate in the latest findings of interpersonal neurobiology specifically the ones related to the importance of mindful awareness to rewired the brain and promote mental health within interpersonal relationships. The meditation techniques learned have been incorporated in my work.