Who am I?
Hello, I am Donna Bottomley
I’m a Writer & Therapist.
I’m also a songwriter/musician and interested in music for wellbeing. You can see my experience and qualifications on this page.
What do I do?
Writing, Therapy & Music
I’m a writer (nonfiction, songs, poetry, blog writing) and a therapist (CBT, EMDR, Brainspotting, Occupational therapy, and Journal Therapy).
I run a therapy practice (DMB Therapy) and write about mental health, managing emotions, expressive writing and music for wellbeing.
I’ve completed an MMus in Music & Sound, where I focused on the use of bilateral sound for well-being and the importance of musical awe in well-being.
I am interested in finding and sharing information about how to feel better, particularly creative methods of offloading and processing how we feel.
Psychology & Therapy Experience & Qualifications.
I have degrees in Psychology, Occupational therapy, Cognitive behavioural psychotherapy and Integrative arts for health. I also have further training as a trauma therapist using methods such as EMDR and Brainspotting. I am fascinated by the science of emotions and how we can use science to help us understand how best to manage our feelings.
1. BSc (Hons) Psychology 2:1
2. BSc(Hons) Occupational Therapy 2:1
3. PG Diploma Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy
4. EMDR Practitioner Training All Parts 1-4
5. IAPT Clinical Supervisor training
6. General Certificate in Online Counselling & Therapy Part 1 (ACTO)
7. City & Guilds Teaching Adults in Further Education
8. Brainspotting Practitioner training. Phase 1, Phase 2 and David Grand Masterclass. BSPUK
9. Level 1 Certificate in Sound healing with Multi-instruments. Sound Healing Academy
10. Elaine Aron Approved Therapist for Sensory Processing Sensitivity / HSP
11. Introduction to Deep Brain Reorienting by Dr Frank Corrigan
12. Emotion Regulation Therapy Training.
Songwriting & Music Qualifications.
Writing songs is a special type of magic and I love writing lyrics and melodies. I have had two songs published and also have written two songs with the songwriter Michael Garvin, as well as several others. I have recently trained in producing music and sound therapies in order to know more about this area and be able to produce sounds for well-being.
1. Popular Singing – Leeds College of Music
2. Jazz Singing – Leeds College of Music
3. Songwriting – Factory Street Studios
4. Recording and Production – Leeds College of Music
5. Arvon Songwriting Retreat – Kathryn Williams and Chris Difford
6. Songwriting Retreat with Martin Sutton (The Songwriting Academy)
7. EDM Bootcamp with Altar Studios and Audio Devils
8. We are the unheard Music Production Course with Eve Horne
9. MMus Music & Sound – Academy of Music & Sound (University of West London).
10. Future Producers Course – Altar Studios and Arts Council England.
Writing Qualifications.
There are several types of writing that can fall under this category. I use free writing, expressive writing and lyrical writing (songwriting) in my work with clients and for myself. I have had training in different types of writing (non-fiction, poetry, songwriting, academic writing, and trauma-focused writing therapy. It is the main method that I use to process and manage my feelings.
1. Writing Narrative Non-Fiction – Arvon at-home retreat
2. Writing a Memoir course – Curtis Brown Creative (Online 6 weeks).
3. Creative Writing (Poetry) – Manchester Metropolitan University
4. Creative Writing Short Course – UEA
5. Arvon Retreats x 3
6. Arvon Creative Writing Course (Poetry) Jo Shapcott.
7. Writer’s Workshop & Conference – Hay House Publishing.
8. Diploma in Journal Therapy.
9. Expressive Writing Training Day with Professor James Pennebaker.
Arts
1. PG Certificate Artists in healthcare settings
2. PG Diploma Integrative Arts in Health, Education & Community Settings.
Talking therapies are great, but there are many ways of processing how we feel. My aim is to uncover these many ways of offloading and processing emotions.
