Polly Irvin is an Integrative Arts Psychotherapist (UKCP/NCP) and a theatre director/performer/teacher. As a psychotherapist she has 15 years experience working in a range of settings supporting adults, children and young people with lived experience of trauma. She currently has a private practice in Brighton and Hove and is a tutor on the Wellbeing Being Faculty at The Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education in London where Polly trained herself (2004-2008). Polly is also trained in Internal Family Systems and EMDR, which are both contemporary, evidence-based approaches to working with trauma. Polly believes passionately in the power of the imagination in transformation and integrates creative approaches into all her work.

Polly also has a Diploma in Clinical Supervision and works as a supervisor for therapists and groups and as a reflective practitioner for Wellbeing Practitioners and organisations.

Polly has a background in the theatre, training at The Central School of Speech and Drama (1982-85) and worked as an actor and theatre director for many years. She was co-artistic director of Wild Iris Theatre Company with actress/director Adjoa Andoh. In 1993 Polly won a Time Out Award for her production of Love at a Loss by Catherine Trotter at Battersea Arts Centre. She was a Senior Lecturer at Rose Bruford College and Programme Director for a BA in Theatre Directing.

As a trainer and founder at Orange Collective Polly's passion is integrating her experience and knowledge as a therapist and arts practitioner to support a humanistic, creative, relational and community based approach to mental health and wellbeing, enabling greater accessibility for support and a wider range of services.