Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
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Art Psychotherapy
ART PSYCHOTHERAPY
Creative communication
Art psychotherapy is a way to explore internal and external worlds through the use of image-making. It embraces the idea that art is a means of symbolic communication and expresses emotions, personality, and other aspects of the human experience.
There may be things that are unable to be put into words and easier to express through imagery. Of course, this may not feel like an easy process, and allowing oneself to "make a mess", not "get it right" or feel vulnerable, may be inherent to image-making: the entirety can become a powerful mode of communication.
No special artistic skill, talent or ability is required, or in fact any previous experience with art. To learn more about art psychotherapy you can visit BAAT (British Association of Art Therapists).
Art psychotherapy can be beneficial for children, adolescents and adults.
It has been said that the process of creating art, in and of itself, has an innate capacity to heal.
"The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct acting from inner necessity. The creative mind plays with the objects it loves.”
C G Jung
SERVICES OFFERED
Art Psychotherapy: A Space to Find Meaning Through Creativity
INDIVIDUAL ART PSYCHOTHERAPY
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Art psychotherapy is a type of psychotherapy using image-making as its primary mode of communication. It is not used to diagnose, rather to allow a free flowing expression of thoughts and feelings.
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Any number of creative processes can be used including drawing, painting, colouring, sculpting, or collage, in a safe environment in which to explore your inner world. No previous experience of art-making is necessary.
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Sometimes it may be a specific problem or crisis that you'd like help exploring, something from your past, or perhaps you're not quite sure what it is you need to process, but something is pushing you to make changes in your life and live in a fuller and more meaningful way.
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Art psychotherapy can be a way to find meaning for feelings and thoughts that are difficult to express, by facilitating a language of self expression and reflection.
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I offer professional art therapy supervision for art therapists in person or online.
GROUP ART THERAPY
Group art psychotherapy sessions may help to work with emotional difficulties, mental health problems, behavioural problems as well as issues with physical illness and ageing.
A selection of art materials are provided and sessions are generally unstructured, but there may be a theme provided depending on the the needs of the group.
The focus will be on the health of the group whilst each individual member has the space to share and explore their thoughts and feelings.
Often someone else in the group may be feeling something similar and in this case a familiarity will be felt. A group can provide much needed connection with others.
Art psychotherapy groups can be particularly beneficial within educational as well as statutory settings.
Sessions are generally 1.5 hours in length.
