What is art therapy?
Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy where art materials are the main way of communicating. Being good at art is not important. It is about developing a personal language with the materials and using it to express yourself.
How can it help?
Creating spontaneously can help people express challenging feelings and explore them from a safe distance, in confidential sessions. It can bring hidden emotions to the surface; build self-awareness, resilience and inner confidence; reflect feelings or experiences that are hard, or not yet possible, to put into words; and give space to step back from an experience, return to it later, or put it aside.
Who is it for?
Children, young people and adults. No artistic skills are needed, and you don't need to have had therapy before.
What is art therapy, and how could it help my child?
Many children find it difficult to talk about how they feel. Art therapy offers another way. Using paint, pastels, clay and other materials, your child can show what is going on for them without needing to find the words first. Sessions take place weekly, on the same day and time where possible, in a calm and confidential space. Your child is never judged on what they make. Over time, many children grow in confidence, feel calmer and understand themselves better. If you have questions about whether art therapy could help your child, a free 20-minute consultation is a good place to start.