Who am I?

I am the founder of Zest Art and Counselling, Elizabeth Yau. I am a creative and passionate person-centred practitioner and now based in the UK.

By saying "person-centred practitioner", I do not only mean I work with Carl Rogers' theory (In fact, I am trained to use integrative approach!) , but also my experience in working with different people as well as my unique approach for you and only you!

2009

Adventure-based counselling facilitator

When I began my journey into the helping professions, I had the wonderful opportunity to work with young people using adventure-based counselling. This experience ignited my passion for studying related subjects and really shaped the course of my career for the next decade.

2013

Social Work High Diploma

After two years of hands-on training, I took the exciting step of registering as a social worker in Hong Kong. During that time, we learned how to organise groups, run large programmes, and manage casework, all essential skills in the field. However, I felt a strong desire to deepen my knowledge and gain a bit more experience before diving headfirst into my social work career. So, I decided to head to university for another two years of training to really sharpen my skills.

2015

Bachelor degree with working experience

During my time at university, I really made an effort to stay connected with the field. I got involved to run social skills training groups for children with special educational needs at various schools, engaged young people who were facing challenges, helping them find their way forward. Plus, I lfacilitated career-planning programmes in schools, guiding students as they considered their future paths.

Social work and counselling

After I graduated from university, I dive straight into the world of social work. Over the next three years, I worked with ex-offenders, prisoners, and those facing challenges with drugs and mental health. I provided both individual and group counselling sessions, created supportive environments through mutual support groups, and even had the chance to train some dedicated volunteers to join us in helping our service users.

2016

First taste in Mindful art

While working with my service users , I helped run a series of mindful art group sessions. This experience truly opened up a whole new world for me, allowing me to dive deeper into the creative process and weave the principles of mindful art into my counselling practice.

2018

Short career break and personal growth

After spending more than 3 years in social work, I decided it was time for a little adventure. So, I took a break and set off to explore the world on my own for two and a half months. It was an eye-opening experience! I encountered so many fascinating cultures and heard a wealth of incredible life stories from the people I met along the way. This journey really sparked something within me, and I found myself dreaming about all the different paths I might take in life moving forward.

2019

Project management:
Sex and bloodborne diseases education

I returned to my social work journey after the career break! I stepped back in as a project manager, where I’m not just involved in running educational programmes for prisoners, ex-offenders, and young people at risk, but also working alongside the LGBT community. I also set up a case management system to support those living with HIV.

Ever-learning journey

I made sure to expand my skills in mindful art, psychotherapy, and a few consultation tools during working in the project. I spent some time in various courses and earned qualifications in these three areas over two years! My journey included learning about hypnotherapy, exploring the Enneagram personality types, getting into Personality Dimensions, as well as enjoying the creative practices of Zentangle and Draw All You Can.

2020

Master Degree in Social policy

I received a scholarship and embarked on a master’s degree in Social Policy. This has truly opened my eyes to the bigger picture when it comes to supporting clients and understanding their challenges. Balancing my studies with work has certainly been a whirlwind, but it’s also taught me some valuable stress management techniques along the way.

2021

Career in the UK

Not long after I finished my master’s degree, I made the big move to the UK, ready for a new chapter in life. I took all the skills I had gathered along the way and established a voluntary project - helping people with traumas to share their stories through art.

2022

Integrative counselling study and social care work

To keep my journey in counselling thriving, I dedicated 2.5 years to studying and becoming a registered counsellor and psychotherapist here in the UK. Along the way, I worked as a support worker and coordinator, helping SEND children and vulnerable adults. Fast forward to 2023, and I stepped into the role of support manager, where I oversee two support services in Newcastle.

2024

Zest Art and Counselling

I set up my own private practice as Zest Art and Counselling. I provide services for clients facing a variety of challenges—everything from mood disorders and trauma to stress, carer stress, and grief. Right now, I’m only able to offer face-to-face sessions in the Northeast of England, but I’m looking forward to expanding my practice in the future.

My Qualification

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP#409142)

General Hypnotherapy Register (Registered Hypnotherapist #8964)

Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy Level 1

The Linehan Institute BehavioralTech (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Skills and Skills Training)

The Association for Psychological Therapies (DBT Level 2)

Mental Health First Aid

Zentangle, Inc. (Certified Zentangle teacher#36)

Draw All You Can certified teacher

Career/LifeSkills Resources Inc. (Personality Dimensions Facilitator Level 1)

Internation Positive Psychological Association (Certified Enneagram Trainer)