Art Therapy

 
What is Art Therapy? Art Therapy is a form of therapy that uses image-making with various different art materials within a supportive relationship with the therapist to explore thoughts, feelings, patterns and issues of concern in order to foster growth, recovery, change and healing. Art Therapy is not about the creation of skillful art work, but rather about finding one’s own way of expressing emotions and images from within in a safe and confidential environment. You do not need any previous experience of image-making or art. Who can benefit from Art Therapy? Art Therapy can be helpful with a broad variety of issues such as anxiety, depression, feeling of isolation, low self-esteem It can be of great support when facing big changes or crisis, such as illness, breakdown of a relationship, bereavement or life- or work changes, in particular when it is difficult for whatever reason to articulate experiences and feelings purely in words. Art Therapy offers a way of learning to understand one’s feelings and behaviour in a deeper way; it helps to gain confidence, insight and self-acceptance and a better understanding of one’s relationship with others. I believe Art Therapy is inherently self-empowering as it supports you to connect with your creative potential. I work with adults as well as with children and young people. What can I expect from Art Therapy ? Art Therapy provides space for dialogue, art-making and reflection of the images created. I work in a non-directive way and you can use a broad variety of art materials such as paints, charcoal, pastels, collage-material, clay etc. in whatever way you wish, creating painting, collage, drawing, sculpting etc. We will initially meet for one or two sessions to talk about what it is you are seeking support with, to formulate some goals for our work together and think about what time-frame might be most appropriate. Although my approach to Art Therapy is non-directive and based on psycho-dynamic principles, I consider my work holistic and eclectic and sessions might include elements of Gestalt Therapy work if found appropriate and helpful. I offer short-term as well as longer term work and we will review the work in regular intervals. Sessions last for one hour. Approach and Training I have been trained at Goldsmith College, London as an Art Psychotherapist between 1995 and 1997. After qualifying, I worked with a broad variety of client groups in London offering Art Therapy for groups and individuals: for women affected by HIV and AIDS, adults with learning difficulties, children and adolescents in children’s homes and eventually for adults with Mental Health problems within an NHS hospital, where I worked between 2000 and 2007. I am a member of the British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT) , registered as Private Practitioner and Supervisor and state registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC). Cost: £45 per session usually 60 minutes- some concessions @ £35- this includes all materials SHORT TERM AND LONG-TERM WORK AVAILABLE  Some books on Art Therapy: ‘Art as Therapy’- an Introduction to the Use of Art as a Therapeutic Technique’ edt by Tessa Dalley, published 1984 Tavistock ‘Art Therapy- an Introduction’- Judith A Rubin Routledge, London 1998 ‘Art Therapy- A Handbook’ Diane Waller and Andy Gilroy Open University Press 1992 Art Therapy for Groups- a Handbook for Themes and Exercises’ Marian Liebman Routledge London, 2004, second edition ‘Handbook of Art Therapy’ Caroline Case and Tessa Dalley Routledge, 1991 ‘Group Interactive Art Therapy- its use in Training and Treatment’ Diane Waller, Routledge, London 1993 Art_Therapy_supervision.htmlshapeimage_4_link_0