What is Art Therapy?
Art Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that incorporates the use of art work, creativity and words. No previous experience or skill with art is needed to participate, as the imagery is not used for aesthetic or diagnostic assessments. The overall aim is to enable the client to effect change and growth on a personal level through the use of art materials in a safe and facilitating environment.
Clients are offered a range of art materials with which to express themselves in a non-threatening way. The images created in art therapy can facilitate discussions and assist in situations where it may be hard to describe intricate feelings with words alone. Here are some of the areas that we can cover in Art Therapy:
Illness
Low self-esteem
Phobias
PTSD
Personality Disorders
Relationship difficulties
Trauma
Stress
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Abuse
Addictions
Anger
Anxiety
Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Bereavement/ Loss
Depression
Domestic violence
Eating disorders
In an art therapy session there is no pressure to produce a drawing, painting or artwork. At times just sitting quietly together with the therapist will be enough for a person to begin to communicate, whether using words or images.