GROUPS STARTING MARCH 2026!
As well as providing therapy and clinical supervision services, Bristol Dramatherapy now also offers a variety of therapeutic sessions focusing on different ways we can maintain and improve our day-to-day mental health and wellbeing.
These range from spaces to go that provide grounding exercises for when you’re having an ‘off day’, or spaces where you feel more connected and make friends, or if you need to focus and gain clarity, or simply have a place each week to check in with yourself and how you’re doing when life gets a bit busy. Something that supports your mental wellbeing, that is lighter than therapy. Something that you can just book in when you need it. Something that aims to help people ‘thrive’ rather than simply ‘survive’.
As it always is here, participants are never expected to share anything they are not comfortable to, and being ‘good’ at being creative is not important or needed; we create simply for the joy and benefit of it, to express ourselves beyond words, rather than intentionally trying to make the end result ‘good’.
THRIVE MEMBERSHIP
These groups are facilitated and created with a therapeutic approach, and aim to promote and develop positive mental health and wellbeing, however they are not to be confused or used as a replacement to therapy.
The sessions do, however, have people’s mental health as the main focus and use a therapeutic approach to do this, therefore to check they are suitable for a person’s needs, a pay-as-you-attend membership is required. If membership is approved, you simply have to attend at least one session every 3 months to maintain your membership.
(Please note that some specific future groups will require prepayment and booking in blocks to ensure individuals are working with the same people for a those weeks to build connections, these will be clearly labeled as a ‘closed’ group, available for block booking by Thrive Members).
HOW TO BECOME A THRIVE MEMBER
Membership Meet Up: An initial meeting is required to meet Laura and establish if a Thrive membership would benefit you and what groups may suit your needs. Once membership is set up, you only ever pay for what you book provided at least one session is attended per 3 months, if this elapses, you are welcome to book in another Membership Meet to reestablish membership.
SUPPORTING SERVICES
Member Check-ins: At any point in your pay-as-you-go membership, you may request occasional, one-to-one check ins with Laura to discuss your engagement in the groups, reflect on how ideas or exercises may be better implemented, or discuss which groups may work better for you. These appointments can be booked via the booking page as and when required. Please note, these are one-to-one mentoring sessions to support your experience within Thrive, they are not a substitute for one-to-one therapy. These can be booked via the booking page under ‘One-to-One Services’.
Drop Ins: Not sure? Drop in! These are open slots that can be booked in either in online one-to-one slots or groups if you’re thinking of joining and fancy a brief chat on how membership may benefit you (or you can simply pop in and say hello!). These are free of charge, and times and days vary depending on availability. These can be found via our booking page under ‘Group Services’.
SESSIONS BEGINNING MARCH 2026:
An early morning check-in/focusing group for needs and priority goals. These sessions include mostly independent exercises that aim to ground and centre for the day ahead, rather than sharing in a group or group activities.
For those experiencing a want/need to:
- destress before work
- focus your mind and thoughts
- address focusing blockages
- find space to express and process when you feel a bit burnt out
- anyone who wants to start their week with their mental health in mind!
A wandering, nature group for those who want to build connections and ground themselves in nature. We meet at the Bromley and either take a gentle walk to a local green space, before continuing reflection and grounding there. When the weather is less than ideal, we bring the outside in and enjoy a wellness session with nature and mental health in mind.
For those experiencing a want/need to:
- connect with others more
- build new relationships
- get out in nature more often
- find space to express and process when you feel a bit ‘lost’ or ‘low’.
- check in with themselves
- and just… breathe.
Early in my practice I also highly enjoyed working part-time at a University as a Creative Writing lecturer, and since then have always wanted to facilitate a creative and reflective writing group that uses the imagination to process and express ourselves. There is no pressure to share, just to write and listen for those who do, feedback is only given purely on how it other members reflected on it in relation theirselves.
Pen and paper or phones/touch screen devices are welcome as writing tools, just as long as it’s a silent keyboard.
For those who:
- want to learn more about themselves
- want to learn how writing can help us explore or express ourselves in different ways
- anyone who wants to enjoy writing and being creative, but not have to worry about spelling, grammar, handwriting, or the writing being ‘technically good’. We solely focus on the containment, expressiveness, and freedom writing can bring.
For those who struggle with task avoidance, or ‘getting the ball rolling’ on a project, we aim to get it done together.
This is a body-doubling workspace with brief one-to-one check-ins with Laura (and with each other when needed) to explore avoidance and obstacles.
Bring your idea, paperwork, laptop, or whatever you need to work on, and get the ball rolling in this space held for focused work. No shame, just overcoming problems and avoidance together!
Other Groups in the Works (expressions of interest welcome):
Nurture: A space for new mothers to come together without judgement to form relationships, and to explore what new challenges this new, transformative role brings. Infants under 6 months are welcomed in the space with us, however the focus is creating space for the mums.
(A Bit More Than) Self-Help Book Club: A book club focusing on self-help books and how we may apply different approaches to our own lives to make them better. Each session focuses on a portion of a self-help book, which is read together in session (no homework required, just the book, yourselves, and a warm drink provided). We then gently reflect on how these principles may benefit and be put into practice in our own lives.
For those who enjoy reading books which focus on personal development, but want to discuss and explore which practices would benefit their own lives and how to implement them in ways that work for them!
Just to Be Clear: A group focusing on how our perception plays a big part in how we view things, and how viewing things from a different perspective may be beneficial to processing and reflecting. These sessions allow us to step out and look at what could also be possible. This group would be particularly beneficial for people who describe themselves as ‘over thinkers’ or those who’s thoughts about themselves are often unkind.
You’ve Got This: A course of 10 therapeutic sessions that focuses on how drama exercises can be used to change the way we think and feel about ourselves. This group promotes confidence building, creative playfulness, connection making and gentle movement to promote a positive self esteem and
There are also going to be other sessions held as Thrive grows, so watch this space!
Please Note:
These sessions will look and feel very different to my therapy sessions, which meet a deeper, different need, which is also reflected in the cost of wellbeing services in comparison to therapy services. Therefore, wellbeing service members will not be able to work with me in the role of ‘therapist’, as I will be unable to provide that form of therapeutic relationship and holding for them. Occasional one-to-one check-ins can be booked to check in and receive support on a one-to-one basis, however these will again, look and feel very different to therapy sessions.
If any of my former therapy clients are interested in attending wellbeing sessions, they may be permitted to become members depending on how long we worked together and why, however this must be discussed on a case-by-case basis; as once they have attended wellbeing sessions, they will be also be unable to access therapy services with me in the future. In any case, I may be able to signpost you to other therapists and services locally that will suit you and your needs, including other therapists and psychologists that make use of the Bromley building.
Whether it’s a stand-alone service you use when you need a bit more support, or a group you attend most weeks to build connections and skills, or if you need an extra something on top of other counselling or therapy you’re having to help bridge that gap, it’s here. It isn’t therapy, but is mental health care.
My hope is that by offering more cost-effective, accessible, lighter options that require less intense intervention than therapy, we can stop people ‘falling in the water’ before they need help ‘keeping themselves afloat’.
If you are interested in enjoying this warm, creative, thriving community, please visit our booking page to book in a ‘Membership Meet’.
Warmest wishes,
Laura
Creative Therapy, Mental Health & Wellbeing Services 