Art Therapy

What is Art Therapy?

Art Therapy is a way to express thoughts and feelings that can be confusing and upsetting. 

Images can communicate when words cannot be found. 

The Art Therapy sessions provided by Survive may be a way of supporting you through difficult thoughts, feelings and concerns. 

Sessions are held in a safe space and with the support of an Art Therapist in training, you can explore your art and help make sense of inner most thoughts.

Can Art Therapy help me? 

Art Therapy can help with many problems, difficulties and emotions. If you are struggling with anxiety, frustration and/or past trauma, Art Therapy may improve these, over time. All you need is the willingness to give it a go.

You do not have to be ‘good’ at art 

Your Art Therapy session is a chance for you to express yourself in a creative and spontaneous way.  

You can experiment with different materials and the session content will move at your pace.  

Art Therapy is different from art at school or in a gallery, it is not a taught session. 

At the start of Art Therapy, you might feel unsettled and uncomfortable.  This is ok, there are different stages of starting and ending therapy so speak to the Art therapist in training and they can help to guide you.

What is an art therapist? BAAT & HCPC details found below 

An Art Therapist is a professional regulated by the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) and trained in psychotherapy, using the process of art as a primary mode of communication.

Consent 

Before you start Art Therapy, it is important that you understand what you are agreeing to engage with, so you will be guided through what the sessions will involve and how thoughts and feelings can be expressed.  You will need to give consent (permission) to show you understand this after the first meeting.

You can change your mind and end your sessions at any time.

Confidentiality 

The sessions will be private but relevant information will be passed on to the appropriate professional if it is thought that you or others are at risk; I will try to talk to you about this.

Art Storage  

The art you produce will be kept in a safe place until the end of all your sessions and then you can either take them home or leave them with me for safe disposal. 

The route of Art Therapy 

You will be referred by either your counsellor or GP as they think you might benefit from the sessions.  If you decide you want to be referred talk to your counsellor or contact Survive.  

There will be an initial meeting with the Art Therapist in training to discuss the sessions with you and how they can support you within the sessions. 

The sessions will take place at Survive and a convenient date and time will be arranged.  The sessions are typically once a week and will last for one hour.  

The number of sessions you have will be discussed during the regular reviews.

Further information about Art Therapy can be found at: 

BAAT (British Association of Art Therapists) website: www.baat.org 

HCPC (Health Care Professions Council) the organisation that registers Art Therapists website: http://www.hpc-uk.org