At the heart of good therapy, as in a good meal, is the practice of loving kindness: an understanding of what it means to walk on human turf. Through an appreciation of food, symbolism and people, Kitchen Therapy seeks to enhance relationships with ourselves, each other and our world. Letting go notions of perfection, we find potential, possibility and pleasure take its place. Central to this approach is the relationship between food and love, using cooking and conversation, on their own or in combination, as the basis of a truly holistic therapeutic experience.
Type of activities:
therapy/cookery/kitchen therapy/
Specialist client experience:
After a first degree in Anthropology, I completed teacher training, that I was able to fit around my family. Landing a job as drama specialist at a school for high functioning dyslexic and autistic spectrum pupils, I also learned about ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Drama is a wonderfully flexible subject, lending itself to therapeutic input. After a break from secondary education, I returned to a new kitchen classroom, teaching adults domestic cookery. In the same year, I also began my training as a therapist. Whilst thoroughly enjoying these as discrete occupations, their compatibility and potential to feed into each other, quickly became apparent.
“Charlotte exudes a passion for cooking and her infectious energy makes her a tour de force in the kitchen. She has inspired my kids to cook and love food… entertaining us all at her many culinary happenings.”
– Andy Sturgeon –
“Attending the first Kitchen Sessions training day, led by Charlotte Hastings and Linda Cundy, was both inspiring and deeply thought-provoking. The concept of ‘attachment nutrition’ and ‘community casseroles’ beautifully connected food with therapeutic practice in a way that felt both grounded and innovative.
The session offered a rich space for learning, discussion, and sharing among a diverse group of practitioners, and I left feeling energised, more connected, and equipped with tangible tools to bring into my work.
The stunning location and nourishing lunch added to the experience, making it not just an educational day, but a restorative one too.“
– Ella Stewart (Founder Bakewell Being) –
Location
Brighton & Hove, East Sussex, UK
Contact
Project info
Chosing Therapy:
We all, at some point in life, face overwhelming emotional challenges or difficult experiences. Whatever brings us to therapy, it is often a hard choice to make however it is in the actual decision to ask for help that our healing can begin.
Who is it for?
Therapy maybe for a specific issue, challenge or change that you are dealing with, or a more general desire for self development – ultimately it is likely to be about both. In that sense, therapy is useful for everyone, offering collaborative guidance and support, at key points in our lives.
My approach:
I practice developmental, depth pyschology based therapy, founded on the profound impact our primary care experience has on how we see, feel and act in the world. This means looking at how long-buried childhood stories are somehow still echoing in our lives today. Valuing both our conscious and unconscious memories, thoughts and feelings, therapy sheds light on confusing inner conflicts, bringing clarity to our pathway ahead.
Member projects
Brighton & Hove Food Partnership
Therapeutic gardening groups in Brighton & the South Downs, for those living with mental health difficulties & other life challenges.
Centre for Ecotherapy
Therapeutic gardening project in Stanmer Park, Brighton.
Plot 22
Plot 22 is a community allotment, a food growing project and therapeutic garden in Hove.
Rock Farm
Rock Farm is a working market garden, community space and horticultural therapy project on a 6-acre site near Steyning.
Sacred Earth
A community-owned land project near Horam, East Sussex that is dedicated to life, learning and working in harmony with nature.
Circle of Life Rediscovery
This project outside Lewes, East Sussex aims to transform education, health and families through nature.
The Plot (Stanmer Park)
A community-led sanctuary space for sharing and nurturing creativity, community spirit and connection.
The Wild Mind Project
Providing emotional and mental wellbeing support to young people through nature activities combined with creative activities.
Living Vital
Living Vital are an organic food growing community garden located at the back of Stanmer Park in Brighton.
Wild Gathering CiC
They create and facilitate nature connection health and wellbeing workshop programmes, events, and guided mindful walks.
Rainbow CommUnity Projects CIC
A non-profit organization which aims at reconnecting people to nature and to each other
Hearts and Flowers
Samphire Brighton & Hove CIC informs and educates people in sustainable and organic flower growing.