What is art therapy?
The process of making art within a therapeutic relationship opens us to a new way of problem solving.
Words cannot always express what we are feeling. Our early experiences and traumatic memories are stored in a non-verbal part of our brain. So, although they influence how we think and behave – perhaps in destructive ways – we can’t explore them or explain them with words: we need another way.
Making art is a non-verbal activity, which accesses parts of our brain that we can’t reach with words. Art becomes the conduit through which we bring those emotions or memories or issues into our consciousness. It allows us to express them – and then to observe, reflect, and begin to make sense of what’s going on for us.
An art therapist is skilled at helping us to explore what comes up, in a safe space. It doesn’t matter what the artworks look like: art therapy is all about the process. Just like we don’t need to be a ‘writer’ to write a journal, we don’t need to be an ‘artist’ to make art.
The art therapy process also allows us to experiment with new ways of being: to try them on and see how they fit. The art room is a safe space to practise – where we can develop confidence that these new ways will work for us out in the world.
Art therapy services
I work with children, adults and families, providing art therapy sessions from my rooms, or in your home or school.
