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Frank Holmes

Frank Holmes

TESSA Therapist

HCPC registered Art Therapist
Registration no: AS07905
Clinical Supervisor

Professional Qualifications and Training
MSc Art Therapy (QUB)
BA (Hons) in Fine Art (UU)
CPCAB Level 6 Creative Supervision across the ages
Safeguarding Working with Vulnerable Adults and Children (Volunteer Now)
Creating a Safe Space (Volunteer Now)
Mental Health Recovery & Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) Level 1 (Recovery College)

My name is Frank, and I am a registered Art Psychotherapist, I have work for over 19 years as a sessional art therapist in Private Practice. I have experience working with Children, and Adults, working within Lighthouse, with anxiety, depression, and families bereaved through suicide. I have worked with Children in Education, one to one, small groups, and working with parent and child group. I have experience working with adults with mental health issues, adults with learning difficulties, and personal growth and development with MSc Art therapy students.

I am a freelance artist who works in Healthcare, within the Arts Care and Belfast Trust Artist in Residence Programme (AIR), communities that I have experience working with, are Adults with Mental Health Issues, Dementia, Learning Disability, and Acquired Brian Injury. For 15 years I have worked within Arts Care Creative Arts Project called Twilight Zone. The Project is an inspiring, regional programme for young people aged 12-18 who are resident in Health and Social Care facilities across Northern Ireland. Project is supported by the Public Health Agency NI. Offering the young participants a safe space to explore and express their unique voice through different art forms.

I offer Art Therapy which is a form of psychotherapy which uses art media as its primary mode for expression and communication. My aim is to provide a confidential space where clients can engage with the art process, access inner strengths, and increase self-worth and confidence.

My Therapeutic Approach
I work from an integrative framework which uses a number of different approaches to meet different client needs, and goals for therapy which includes
Art Therapy- a form of psychotherapy which uses art media as its primary mode for expression and communication.

Person-centred– the therapist holds authenticity, transparency, acceptance, empathetic listening for their client.

Relational and collaborative: the therapeutic relationship and creative process help clients to explore issues and discover new ways of coping in their day to day life. This approach can help build self-esteem, confidence, awareness, and improve relationships.

Psychodynamic– working with the unconscious processes to build on self understanding and growth.

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Aisling McLaren

Aisling McLaren

TESSA Therapist

Location
Tyrone

Professional Registration & Ethics:
• PTUK – Accredited Play and Creative Arts Therapist and Clinical Supervisor
• BACP – Registered Member
• NISCC – Registered Member

I follow the ethical frameworks of PTUK, BACP, and NISCC, and uphold the highest standards of professional conduct in all my work.

Qualifications:
• BA (Hons) Fine & Applied Art
• Postgraduate Diploma in Play & Creative Arts Therapy
• BSc in Social Work
• Post-Qualifying Certificate in Clinical Supervision
• Specialist Award in Social Work

Experience:
With over 15 years’ professional experience, I have worked with children, young people, and families across health, education, and community settings. My roles have included Play & Creative Arts Therapist, Family Support Worker, Social Worker, Clinical Supervisor, Schools Link Officer, and Postgraduate Trainer.

I have extensive experience supporting children and young people who have experienced developmental trauma, attachment difficulties, and loss, including those with adoption and care backgrounds. I also advise senior school staff and deliver training on trauma-informed practice, bereavement, and loss. I continue to develop my skills through specialist training in parent–child attachment-based play and life story work.

Specialist Areas:
• Developmental trauma
• Attachment and relational difficulties
• Adoption and care-related experiences
• Loss, grief, and bereavement
• Emotional and behavioural difficulties
• Identity and life story work

Therapeutic Approach:
I use a warm, integrative, and child-centred approach, combining play, art, drama, sand tray, and storytelling to help children express feelings safely and make sense of experiences when words are difficult. Working with children aged 4–16, I tailor my approach to each child’s emotional and developmental needs, drawing on humanistic, neuroscientific, attachment-based, psychodynamic, developmental, and cognitive-behavioural methods. I create a secure, supportive space where trust, healing, and growth can occur, seeing each child as a unique individual within their family, school, and cultural context.

Personal Touch:
I am deeply committed to supporting adopted children and their families. I understand the impact that early loss and separation can have on a child’s emotional wellbeing and relationships. With a warm and creative approach, I provide a safe space for children to explore their feelings and work closely with adoptive parents to build understanding, trust, and secure attachment within the family.

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Martina Kelly

Martina Kelly

TESSA Therapist

Registered Play Therapist, Social Worker & Sensory Practitioner

With over 12 years of experience dedicated to supporting children and families. My work focuses on helping children navigate emotional, developmental, and sensory challenges through a therapeutic and child-centered approach.

I am passionate about creating safe, nurturing spaces where children can express themselves, process experiences, and develop resilience. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working with:

  • Children in mental health settings
  • Children in care
  • The asylum-seeking/ Refugee community
  • Confirmed & awaiting neurodivergent diagnoses
  • Developmental trauma
  • Emotional dysregulation
  • Parents, caregivers, and multidisciplinary professionals
  • CAMHS Clinical experience

I am currently registered with:

  • Play Therapy UK (PTUK)
  • Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC)
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Working Things Out

Working Things Out

TEEN Group Programme based in Belfast

TESSA and Family Routes are excited to announce Working Things Out Programme in collaboration with Holywood Family Trust and Parent Plus. Aimed at helping young people focus on developing skills and techinques to boost their emotional health and wellbeing

The Working Things Out programme aims to help young people build communication and conflict resolution skills in order to overcome mental health problems and to improve their relationships within their families, in school and in the community.

The programme sessions are designed around a DVD containing personal stories of adolescents who have coped with challenging mental health issues such as, Anxiety, Depression, ADHD, OCD, Self-harm and Suicide, as well as issues such as, Bullying, School Pressures, and Conflict with Parents. The stories offer advice on how to cope and what young people can do to help themselves.

With a Youth Club vibe, this course will offer fantastic opportunities to engage with peers, explore challenges and simply be themselves in a safe, supportive environment.

This programme is suitable for young people aged 13 – 18 years

Topics include:

  • Getting Along with parents /carers – Improving family relationships.
  • Stop and Think – The key to solving problems.
  • Listening, talking and resolving conflicts.
  • Managing feeling down- Things I can do to help myself.
  • Taking Charge – Developing helpful thinking strategies.
  • Keeping Your Cool – Dealing with anger and conflict.
  • Communicating Well – For building positive relationships.

The course will be tailored to the group so may not cover all topics.

When: Tuesday 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th January, 10th, 17th and 24th February 2026

Time: 7.00-8.30pm

Where: Family Routes Office space, 18 Heron Road, Belfast BT3 9LE

Cost: £25 per family

REGISTER
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Play It

Play It

Music wellbeing workshops based in Belfast 

TESSA in partnership with Neil Foster Music are providing Family Wellbeing sessions throughout November and January.

Participants do not need any musical ability. They will gain experience with a range of instruments and styles of music. The group leader will utilise music as a therapeutic tool to promote emotional healing, social interaction, and personal growth among participants.

Each session will be different so participants can sign up for one or two sessions, or all five.

Sessions open adoptive parents, adoptees and other children living in the household. All participants should be 6+

Dates: Thursday 8th, 15th and 22nd January 2026 *booking will close 2 weeks before each date *

Time: 5.30-7.30pm

Venue: Family Routes Office, 18 Heron Road, Belfast BT3 9LE

Investment: £10 per family per session (£30 per family if booking for all 5 sessions)(non refundable) Fee must be paid via Bank Transfer upon offer of place.

REGISTER

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Stronger Every Day

Stronger Every Day

TEEN Group Programme based in Armagh

TESSA and Family Routes are excited to announce Stronger Every Day in collaboration with Sean Duffy Fitness.

This six week group programme will enable participants to engage in active ways to promote positive wellbeing but also have a bunch of fun in a safe, supportive and non judgmental space. The programme will be led by a highly experienced fitness and boxing coach Sean Duffy. The activities will highlight to participants the importance of the mind-body connection and will help to develop skills in communication, self regulation, resilience and teamwork.

This programme is funded by the Public Health Agency as part of the Clear Project.

Group open to adoptees and other children living within the household.

Dates: Friday 16th, 23rd and 30th of January, 6th, 20th and 27th February 2026

Time: 6:00-7:30pm

Venue: Orchard Leisure Centre Armagh

Age: 11-18 years old

Investment: £25 per family (non refundable) Fee must be paid via Bank Transfer upon offer of place.

REGISTER

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Drum Time

Drum Time

‘DRUM TIME’ Family Sessions based in Coleraine.

TESSA in partnership with Fun With Drums, are providing two Family Wellbeing sessions in January.

Participants do not need any musical ability. This will be a fun drumming workshop suitable for all the family.

Sessions open adoptive parents, adoptees and other children living in the household. All participants should be 6+

Session 1 Date: Saturday 17th January 2026

Time: 11.45am – 12.45pm

Venue: Sandel Centre, 6 Knocklynn Road, Coleraine BT52 1WT

Session 2 Date: Friday 30th January 2026

Time: 6.45-7.45pm

Venue: Sandel Centre, 6 Knocklynn Road, Coleraine BT52 1WT

Investment: £10 per family per session. Fee must be paid via Bank Transfer upon offer of place.

REGISTER

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Creative Connections

Creative Connections for Adoptive Parents and Adult Adoptees

Wellbeing workshops for Parents or for Adoptees aged 18+  based in Portadown & Armagh 

TESSA and Family Routes are excited to introduce a unique workshop to help you take a break, unwind, and get creative!

This relaxing, hands-on workshop is all about slowing down, having fun, and connecting through art and wellbeing.

We’ll start with a gentle relaxation to help everyone settle in, then dive into creative activities that are suitable for all abilities. There’s time for stories, chatting about your artwork, and enjoying the feel-good buzz of creating something together.

Why join in?

  • Express feelings in fun, creative ways.
  • Reduce stress and find your calm.
  • Boost confidence and pride in what you make.
  • Feel connected and supported as part of a caring group.
  • Relax, create, and connect!

Who can come along?

This event is open to all adoptive parents and/or adult adoptees (18+)

We have two dates at different venues, participants can choose to attend one or both.

Workshop 1 – Armagh

When? Tuesday 13th January 10am – 1pm

Where? New Dawn Health & Wellbeing, No 8, Willowdean, Markethill, Armagh BT60 1QG

Cost? £10

Workshop 2 – Portadown

When? Tuesday 27th January 10am – 1pm

Where? Millenium Court, 5-7 William Street, Portadown, Craigavon BT62 3NX

Cost? £10

REGISTER

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Creative Connections 

Creative Connections 2

Wellbeing workshops for Parents or for Adoptees aged 18+  based in Portadown & Armagh 

TESSA and Family Routes are excited to introduce a unique workshop to help you take a break, unwind, and get creative!

This relaxing, hands-on workshop is all about slowing down, having fun, and connecting through art and wellbeing.

We’ll start with a gentle relaxation to help everyone settle in, then dive into creative activities that are suitable for all abilities. There’s time for stories, chatting about your artwork, and enjoying the feel-good buzz of creating something together.

Why join in?

  • Express feelings in fun, creative ways.
  • Reduce stress and find your calm.
  • Boost confidence and pride in what you make.
  • Feel connected and supported as part of a caring group.
  • Relax, create, and connect!

Who can come along?

This event is open to all adoptive parents and/or adult adoptees (18+)

We have two dates at different venues, participants can choose to attend one or both.

Workshop 1 – Armagh

When? Tuesday 13th January 10am – 1pm

Where? New Dawn Health & Wellbeing, No 8, Willowdean, Markethill, Armagh BT60 1QG

Cost? £10

Workshop 2 – Portadown

When? Tuesday 27th January 10am – 1pm

Where? Millenium Court, 5-7 William Street, Portadown, Craigavon BT62 3NX

Cost? £10

REGISTER

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Mindfulness and Your Nervous System

Mindfulness and Your Nervous System

Parent Wellbeing Workshop

Facilitated by Siobhan Wilson-McGlinchey Creative Psychotherapist & Clinical Supervisor

Mindfulness & Your Nervous System is a program designed to help you slow down, reconnect and integrate mind and body while learning practical ways to regulate the autonomic nervous system. By regulating your own nervous system, this will ensure you are in a much better position to support your child with their own regulation.

There is no doubt that a mindfulness practice can enhance our overall mental health and wellbeing, it has been scientifically proven, but have you ever wondered as to why you may struggle to meditate or sustain a mindfulness practice?

For healing to take place we need to let the autonomic nervous system know it’s safe and ok. For some people relaxation, stillness, and activation of the senses can be a cue of danger to their Nervous System and for others it can be a cue of safety to their Nervous System.

To find out more on how to integrate a mindfulness practice into your every day life, Join Siobhan for an in-person session where she will guide you through mindfulness practices that help you tune into your body’s signals, support emotional regulation, build capacity for day-to-day stressors, and cultivate a greater sense of balance and flow.

This program is suitable for anyone curious about the relationship between mindfulness and the nervous system, whether new to the practice or looking to deepen their understanding.

Date: Tuesday 27th January 2026

Time: 10am – 1pm

Venue: Roe Valley Therapy Centre, 101A Irish Green Street, Limavady BT49 9AA

Cost: £10

REGISTER