Zahra Akthar

Lecturer

School of Allied and Public Health
z.akthar@chester.ac.uk
Zahra Akthar

I am a Lecturer on the MA Art Therapy programme and a qualified Art Psychotherapist/Therapist (HCPC & BAAT) passionate about giving vulnerable individuals a voice through creative expression.

My interest in Art Therapy stemmed from my own lived experiences and engagement in art and image-making. Prior to undertaking the MA Art Therapy training, I obtained a BA (Hons) degree in Surface Pattern Design and attended the Art Therapy foundation course at the University of Chester.

Since qualifying in 2018, I have been working predominately with children and adolescents affected by trauma, abuse, loss and separation. My experiences have also included working with diverse and displaced client groups which have included: refugees, unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC), migrants, victims of trafficking, torture, war and political violence.

Alongside teaching, I also continue practising as an Art Psychotherapist/Therapist in the charity sector working with children and adolescents in community and educational settings.

I teach on the MA Art Therapy programme at the Wheeler (formerly Riverside) campus. I contribute to various modules on the programme through delivering lectures, seminars, facilitating experiential groups and providing clinical supervision to trainees during placement.

Current research interests:

  • Art Therapy with diverse and displaced populations: refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants.
  • Cultural tapestries in Art Therapy.
  • Spirituality and Art Therapy.

Published in the International Journal of Art Therapy:

Treisman, K. (2019) A kaleidoscope of ways of using art therapy within child-based contexts, International Journal of Art Therapy, 24(3), 97-99. DOI: 10.1080/17454832.2019.1636579

Akthar, Z,. & Lovell, A. (2018) Art therapy with refugee children: a qualitative study explored through the lens of art therapists and their experiences, International Journal of Art Therapy, 24(3), 139-148, DOI: 10.1080/17454832.2018.1533571.

Qualifications:

  • MA Art Therapy
  • BA (Hons) Surface Pattern Design
  • Foundation Degree in Art & Design

 

Memberships:

  • British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT)
  • BAAT Special Interest Group – Art Therapy Race & Culture
  • BAAT Region 10 Group
  • Health Care Professionals Council (HCPC)