About Us

Nature & Nurture Collective

About our collective

We are an emerging collective, made up of counsellors, art therapists and mental health practitioners. We run groups for parents, families and young people to empower and support their mental and emotional wellbeing. We are particularly focused on less supported groups such as neurodivergent people and the parents and families of SEND children.

As practitioners we bring together our various approaches, skills and interests including person-centred counselling, art therapy and nature connection. What connects us is our strands of lived experience and the compassion and understanding that brings to the work we do.

About our members

Cara Luff

I have worked in mental health and wellbeing for most of my career. I have a Degree in Psychology from Keele university and a Post grad in mental health from Liverpool Hope from which I have worked in the NHS as a CBT practitioner for many years, 10 years ago I retrained as a counsellor with Bath Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and now work as a humanistic and integrative counsellor in private practice supporting clients through a range of difficulties including depression, anxiety, trauma, abuse, relationship difficulties and more. (www.southbristoltherapy.com)

Alongside my private practice I also run groups around the city supporting parents with their mental health during pregnancy and post-natally and have worked previously in charities to support mothers mental health. I am a mental health 'expert' for Bump to Cradle who are an antenatal company offering specialised information sessions to help the transition to parenthood (www.bumptocradle.com) and a women's circle facilitator holding spaces for women to come together in a supportive and empowering way in Westbury wildlife park in their yurt, (www.thewombroombristol.uk)

I have found over the years that many of my clients are exploring neurodiversity for themselves or family members which has contributed to their mental health struggles they present with, mostly through the limited access to understanding and neuroaffirming spaces. I am passionate about being able to hold nurturing and empowering spaces for parents which is what drew me to this collective.

I am a registered member of the British association of Counselling and Psychotherapists (BACP) who oversee my ethical practice and I am DBS safeguarding registered. Recent training includes Neurodiversity and neuroaffirming practice, Rewind technique for trauma and EFT (tapping).

Jenny Clarke

I am a registered Art Therapist. I currently work in private practice (my website is www.thymearttherapy.co.uk) where I work indoors and outdoors with children, young people and adults. I also work two days a week as a Lecturer on MA Art Psychotherapy, University of South Wales.

I have lived experience of being neurodivergent (AuDHD) and am a parent to two neurodivergent young people. I bring the understanding and compassion that gives to my work, along with a SEND friendly approach. I love working outdoors when it is possible and often use natural materials as well as traditional art materials.

My recent CPD includes courses in Suicide First Aid, Understanding Autism, Supervision, Working with People in Nature, Grief and Loss, Sandtray Therapy, and lots more. I have also recently been involved in a participatory research project with the University of Bristol exploring what makes spaces safe for supporting mental health, and have co-written an article on safety in a garden-based art therapy group (to be published in the International Journal of Art Therapy, 2025).

I have a current DBS, first aid training, Level 3 Safeguarding training and am fully insured. I am registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (AS017413) and am a full member of the British Association of Art Therapists (46189).

I qualified as an Art Therapist in 2021, with an MA Art Psychotherapy from the University of South Wales. I also have an MA Fine Art from Central Saint Martins, from 2001. Before I became an Art Therapist I ran a business called Happymess which offered indoor and outdoor art and messy play classes.

Join our collective

Therapists, counsellors and wellbeing practitioners

Please contact us if you are interested in working alongside us. Drop us an email and we can send you further info!