Welcome to Art Psychotherapy

Art  Psychotherapy can support  psychological, emotional, educational,  social, physical growth and brain development.  
Its a client led personal journey of self discovery. Offering a safe, non intrusive private space to express, talk and to work through things.

I work from a person centred approach, integrative Art psychotherapy that includes psychotherapy interventions, CBT techniques , play and art process  is seen from a neuroscience perspective. 

Its different to art teaching, you do not have to of had experience in art techniques to benefit from art therapy. We all approach  art in our own way. Every individuals work is original.

In Art therapy, an individual might design, look at perspectives, plan, use detail and discuss issues in therapy while another person approaches art expressively and spontaneously.

Engaging in the art process can help you to process feelings and thoughts and how this can link to body responses and behaviours. This can strengthen decision making, clarity, understanding self and others and planning. 

Creating art uses four of the five senses- vision, touch, smell, and hearing as-well as linking with your subconscious and unconscious . Creativity supports brain development and can stimulate neural networks  pathways and neurological responses like coordination, balance and muscle movement. 

"Neuro arts is the transdisciplinary study of how the arts and aesthetic experiences measurably changes the body, brain and behaviour and how this knowledge is translated into specific practices that advance health and well being" and goes on to say how "the brain systems that engage with reward, motor activity and senses are stimulated by art in ways unmatched by anything else"(https://neuroartsblueprint.org)

It is a confidential service. 

Art therapists are trained in a wide range of theoretical models -psychodynamic  and psychoanalytic  interventions ,approaches ,techniques and assessment, DSM diagnostic indicators and symptoms , reflective practice and art  process. Art Therapists follow safeguarding policies and procedures and  receive supervision for professional practice. 

Benefits of Art psychotherapy

• It can aid self expression, personal development, communication skills
• Understand and process feelings and thoughts, memories, how this links to behaviours
• Help focus, look at future goals, planning, increase motivation and develop coping strategies
• Reduce anxiety, anger, low mood and improve self esteem and confidence
• Improve school work and attendance
• Making positive changes or supporting through transition
• Can help with physical problems- sensory

People from all ages and backgrounds can benefit from art therapy.

It can help with
Quiet and withdrawn
Fluctuating mood or Emotional regulation
Complex family background, family separation
Foster care or adoption
Difficult life events such as bereavement, care proceedings, domestic violence, trauma
Education , building friendships, school/college work, attendance ,school environment, transition between schools, coping with change
Diagnosis such as Autism, ADHD, eating disorder, OCD, sensory problems, self harm
Physical disability and impairments

Art therapy involves assessment, risk assessment , session planning according to individual needs . 

Sessions are client led, and at the clients own  pace.

Sign posting, referrals, recommendations to other services at the end of therapy

If requested ,report writing for EHCPS, referrals,  assessments