What is Arts Psychotherapy?

Alongside talking therapy, I also offer creative ways of working together. Using art materials, symbols, or metaphors can help explore experiences which may feel messy, confusing or hard to put into words. Often, it is the imagery we produce ourselves that serves as inner wisdom to help us make sense of our experiences or navigate through a time in our lives when the path ahead is difficult to see.

Combining traditional talking therapy with the arts can produce profound results. I have supported clients using the arts to find a voice for a part of themselves which has been silenced, witnessed clients use the arts to find a way forward in a situation which seemed impossible and facilitated clients to use the arts to hold a difficult experience so they can slowly make sense of it.

This approach can be particularly helpful for neurodivergent thinkers, those who prefer to work with symbols and metaphors or those who feel like words aren’t enough.

A sandtray exploring parts of self and the concept of ‘home’.

You do not need to be an artist,  be ‘good’ at art or have any previous artistic experience; this is an additional resource that can help safely and cathartically explore experiences and feelings.

There is no requirement to express yourself creatively if you feel more comfortable talking. If you would like to know more about how sessions work or whether this approach might suit you, please feel free to get in touch.