What is Art Psychotherapy? | Art Psychotherapy

Art psychotherapy can be a powerful and transformational intervention, for anyone experiencing emotional distress, whose lives have been affected by difficult experiences, or those wishing to gain self-awareness and improve their wellbeing. It is an evidenced-based form of psychotherapy that facilitates self-exploration and healing. Talking is one way in which we communicate; art therapy invites us to explore other forms of expression and communication. It allows us to work with feelings and experiences that might be difficult to articulate in words alone.

Art-making in itself is healing. In art therapy, the combination of art-making and psychotherapy can reduce distress, increase awareness, resolve conflicts and work through emotional problems.

People of all ages, circumstances and backgrounds can benefit, and there is no need to have any skill or indeed think of yourself as a particularly 'arty' person.

Complex feelings and experiences can be explored safely through a combination of talking and art making. Art therapy can promote self-esteem, a sense of agency, self-compassion and insight into difficulties. My approach is psychodynamic, meaning that it focuses on gaining understanding of unconscious processes that may impact behaviour and the self.

I appreciate it might be a daunting experience starting therapy or working with a new therapist. I am warm, empathic and reliable, I aim to cultivate trust and rapport as I believe the therapeutic relationship to be central to the work. The process is collaborative, in which we work together on whatever it is you are bringing.

Further information about art therapy can be found on the BAAT website: https://baat.org/art-therapy/

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