Jaimie Cahlil
counselling + psychotherapy original soulful spiritual art

• Introduction
• Background – and Foreground
• Art-as-therapy
• What do I offer?
• Enquiries

The way I work - as artist and therapist: one reflects the other. Those qualities that make me an effective therapist are evident in my pictures; conversely, that which I draw upon in my picture-making is evident in my psychotherapy work. All is inter-related. Just as there are patterns within the individual’s life and being - feelings, attitudes, actions… there are parallel patterns in art and in all that exists. These patterns and parallels can be explored at a level beyond words and conscious thought – experientially... through intuitive creative expression.

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Longing... for Mother, Answered
click to enlarge

Born in Oxford, 1954...
(For fuller biography, see Art Gallery pages.)

Accepted at the age of 15 on the strength of my pencil drawings, I originally trained at the Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art in Oxford, graduating in 1975.

The training was thorough and traditional. In the years that followed, I developed my self alongside my work. My pictures evolved… My soulful art has for a long time been widely considered therapeutic.

In the past, I have applied the healing aspects of my art in ‘special needs’ work in schools, later also in Intuitive Art and Awareness workshops, more recently within the psychiatric environment - and now increasingly in the context of individual work with clients and within workshops and groups.

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Creative self-expression is a healing process.  

‘Art’ is used as a means of self-expression; also to convey experiences, emotions and associations that are perhaps too difficult or elusive to recognise in ordinary thought or convey in words.  

Therapist-guided art creates a form of psychotherapy where the making of images is used to allow safe expression of feelings, thoughts and beliefs. Expressing ourselves freely through art enables a clear pathway between unconscious and conscious recognition.  The resulting images can help to bring to light any suppressed emotions or conflicts. Used as a tool for personal growth and empowerment through deepened self- and life-understanding, the participant is encouraged to reflect on the images that arise, which will then prompt gradual understanding and a greater ability to deal with any issues that emerge.  

Such images may appear both when we’re awake and in our dreams during sleep. Whatever it is that our unconscious is ready to acknowledge and work on will surface. When a dream is brought into a session, this is a gift: an image to explore and work with. Whatever is there in the beginning, this will certainly change and evolve as we explore... revealing to us as creator what we already know – yet didn’t realise we know.

The therapist is there to support and guide through the process of connection, recognition, acceptance, and gradual integration… there beside us as we journey within, on hand to help us deepen our inner work. When sensitively steered through the process of creative expression, the individual may develop self-ease, stability and balance, and a growing sense of meaning, fulfilment, belonging and wholeness.  

To become whole - or ‘integrated’ – it is necessary to engage both verbal and non-verbal intelligence, both thinking and intuitive knowing. The therapist can help identify problem areas, so that negative images may be transformed into positive ones. This is alchemy.

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Art is linked with our unconscious mind.

And dreams, feelings and thoughts are experienced predominantly in visual form.

Our visual perceptions predate our capacity for verbal expression.

Images are part of our earliest experiences, and many of our preverbal thoughts appear as images.

Even as adults, we may remember an event, a place or a person through senses such as sound, smell, or sight – and so we are very likely to retain visual imagery arising from experience.

Carl Jung

Analyst and psychotherapist Carl Jung, known for his interest in visual symbols in dreams and art, noted the importance of images and symbols in psychotherapy. He observed that by allowing a mood or problem to be represented as an image – either through the dreams or art, we can begin to gain a clearer and deeper understanding both of self and the alchemy of life... and to experience our being, and the emotions that move through us.

Creative self-expression may help transform feelings and thoughts that block our way, helping enable us to overcome a sense of existential emptiness and loss of connection with our soul.

Through creative expression we may gradually relax... into knowing who we are, being deeply aware – and really alive!

I offer therapeutically-explorative art sessions, using various creative media – eg: drawing, painting, collage, clay... Taking your needs and preferred starting point into account, we make our beginning... with the emphasis on therapy. Our work will centre on awareness of your self and your experience in the present moment, including self-awareness techniques and intuitively-guided visualisation...  

These sessions are designed to empower you to develop a creative receptivity through which you may intuitively find your own inner guidance, working in whatever manner and depth that feels appropriate to you at the time.

Becoming...                 click to enlarge

For those interested in creative expression, these sessions may inspire your own artwork away from our sessions – and you may wish to bring work you have produced at home to your sessions.

As you proceed towards self-integration/wholeness, through personal/transpersonal/spiritual awareness, I offer these sessions to assist you your way.

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REPRODUCTIVE QUALITY: The colour reproduction and tone balance of my pictures as shown on this website vary from that of the originals (or printed reproductions).  Please bear in mind the feel of my work is warm, glowing, healing and alive...  

Please bear in mind the feel of my work is warm, glowing, healing and alive...

Jaimie Cahlil works in private practice in Oxford (UK) primarily with individuals and couples, also facilitating small groups in the form of workshops and small groups.  

Further information? See counselling and psychotherapy and art as therapy, plus coming events - and the relevant brochures.  

General enquiries - brochures + fees, appointments, bookings…  

UK calls only (local call rate): 0845 644 1425   Or: 01865-45 31 31

International calls: +44 (0)1865 45 31 31  

VIEWING + PURCHASING ORIGINALS:  When wishing to physically come and see original pictures, viewing is by prior arrangement.  Some pictures exhibited here are available for purchase, many are already sold, while unseen others are work-in-progress.  Please see Terms & Conditions for practical information regarding the purchasing of pictures.  Commissions negotiable... Alternatively, you may wish to purchase or commission a mandala picture...  Additionally, guidance is offered to enable the creation of your personal mandala.  Interested?  Contact Jaimie.

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