The Early Days of IACAT: A Conversation with Liam Plant and Katie Wollett
Introduction
This inverview, a conversation with Liam Plant and Katie Wollett, moderated by Grace Vaughey, took place as part of the All Ireland Creative Arts Therapies Convocation, an inaugural showcase of art, dance movement, drama and music therapies across Ireland, held in Technological University Dublin, Saturday, Oct 14th, 2023. The interview offers an intimate look at the pioneering days of the Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists (IACAT), set against the backdrop of St. Brendan's hospital. Join us as Liam and Katie not only share their personal journies and experiences, but also illuminate the collaborative efforts that fuelled the development of the Creative Arts Therapies in Ireland.
Liam Plant
Liam Plant is an Art Therapist/Psychotherapist, Gestalt Therapist and Counselling Supervisor. He has been practicing in Dublin since 1985, is an accredited member of the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and was a founding member of the Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists. Liam gives lectures and workshops in Art Therapy, Mindfulness and Counselling Supervision.
Katie Wollett
Katie qualified as a Dramatherapist in 1986. She worked within the HSE until 1997, during which time she also trained as a group analyst. In 1997 she moved into private practice. She was part of a core group that set up the Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists and was a trainer on the Dramatherapy course in Maynooth. She also worked as a supervisor of Art and Dramatherapists until her retirement in 2018. She is now a jewellery designer and maker.
Grace Vaughey
Grace is the current Student Representative for the Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists. She is completing her final year of the MSc in Art Psychotherapy at Ulster University. Prior to this, Grace studied Positive Health at the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, and also holds a first-class honours degree in Psychology from Dublin City University. She is passionate about the relationship between mental health and creativity, and how this presents across the lifespan, across culture, across gender and across the socio-economic divide.