FAQs

The answers below should provide a good idea of what to expect when you start art therapy.

Why do people go to art therapy?

Common reasons include - but are not limited to:

• Mental ill health eg. stress anxiety and depression
• Trauma
• Terminal illness
• Gender identity
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Sexuality
• Dealing with life limiting conditions
• Learning or physical disabilities
• Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)
• Behaviour issues: such as anger management and emotional difficulties
• Neurological Conditions
• Eating disorders
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Substance use and abuse
• Abuse – physical, emotional, sexual and financial.
• Bereavement / Grief
• Some people attend in order to maintain their health and stay well and consider it part of their self care.

Do I have to be good at art?

This is one of the most common questions / concerns. You don’t need previous art expertise. The emphasis is very much on the process of making and less on creating a perfect “masterpiece”. Art therapy often considers things that might arise from the subconscious in our minds and emerges via the art. The value of your artwork comes from the meaning it holds for you.

In fact, I believe everyone can be creative, simple everyday things from your choice of clothes, to the way you cook involves imagination, decision making and inventiveness. I will help you to try new materials if you feel like you want to experiment. Try to remember it’s not an art lesson, although I do aim to make it as engaging as possible.

For you to get the most from the sessions one essential thing I ask is for you to be willing to try, experiment and explore. If you can make a mark on paper or squash some clay that’s all you need.

Will the art therapist “interpret” my artwork?

It is not customary for a therapist to interpret your art. The focus will be on the personal meaning that you find within your own creative work. It is the art therapist’s role is to assist you to explore the meanings of your work. An art therapist should not provide a diagnosis.

What happens to the work that I make in art therapy? Your artwork is your creation and always belongs to you. It will stay in my care until you decide to finish your sessions. Some people choose to keep the finished artwork, while others may decide to leave it. I will hold it for a few weeks in case you change your mind, however it will be destroyed after the agreed timescales.

What sort of art materials do you use?

A variety of art materials are available to use and can be experimented with until the one to best express your feelings on the day is discovered. These include wet materials like paint and clay / playdough / white glue. Or dry materials like charcoal, pastels, pencils. There will be a selection of things to print onto or collage such as magazines, textiles, buttons or found items.

Sometimes I also do types of poetry, storytelling and play within therapy - it is always the choice of the client. I have been asked to bring a sewing machine to a session and plant seeds in another.

I am keen to be as environmentally conscious as I can. I love using nature as a material or holding a making session outdoors too, there are many benefits of incorporating nature into the session.

I will always be there as a guide, if you are unsure how to do something or use a material we can figure it out together.

Do you have a specialism?

I have covered many different areas and often lots of issues overlap. Sometimes someone may attend therapy thinking they need one thing and actually discover it’s something else.

While studying I wrote my dissertation on Art Therapy and Grief, this is a particular interest of mine, but not the only thing that I work with.

I’m interested - what next?

First we would start with an initial free consultation lasting around 20 minutes. This is not a therapy session but more a getting to know each other session. Here I would ask you a few questions about yourself and I welcome any questions you have about how I work. If we both agree that we could be a good fit, we discuss our contract together which covers consent, confidentiality, timescales and goals.

Session duration

One-to-one sessions last 50 minutes. It is strongly recommended that a minimum block of 6 sessions are committed to. These would happen across 6 weeks; on the 6th session a review is held to consider progress and if further sessions are required.

What’s the difference between Art Therapy and Creative Therapy / Mindfulness? Mindfulness and creative therapies can be really beneficial. We often see the zen colouring books for adults and they absolutely have their place, they can be useful tools to manage difficult moments to help people relax. Art therapy is more about getting to the root of the issue and trying to consider why it occurred and address it.

Can anyone be an Art Therapist?

Art Therapy is a type of psychotherapy and is an alternative to talk therapy or counselling -it requires at least a Master’s qualification. Art Therapy is a registered profession and Art Therapists are bound by law in the UK to be registered with the regulatory body called Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC).

The British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT) has its own Code of Ethics of Professional Practice requiring that Art Therapists have a clinical supervisor and complete Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

Complaints Procedure

I hope it wouldn’t happen, however it may happen that a therapist upsets you in some way. Before seeking advice externally I ask that you speak to me about how you are feeling. We call these moments of rupture and the best way to repair that is during therapy. It is very important to try to resolve these issues as it can really benefit you in the longer term. Should you feel you need to take the issue further, please visit HCPC website to raise a concern. www.hcpc-uk.org/concerns/raising-concerns/public

More questions?

If you have more questions but don’t want to commit to a session yet, contact me on….

Referrals

To make a referral please send an email with some information i.e. age of client, presenting issues and contact information for the person making the referral.