Why I use art in therapy

Making art in a therapeutic setting often enables people to explore and express deeper thoughts and feelings that lie beyond their conscious awareness. Art-making can stimulate buried and hidden parts of the self and open up a different dialogue with the unconscious. This can provide a helpful new perspective to feelings and situations.

Engaging with art materials can also be tremendously soothing. There is a growing body of authoritative scientific evidence suggesting that art-making and consideration enhances brain function. It has an impact on brain wave patterns and emotions, the nervous system, and can actually raise serotonin levels.

All this evidence explains why art psychotherapy is now being recognised and prescribed by the NHS following a government report about ‘The role of arts in improving health and wellbeing’ which can be downloaded here.

You really don’t need to have a natural talent for drawing or art-making to benefit from art psychotherapy. I have many different tools and approaches that I can use: a sand tray, plasticine and playdough are just some examples. Often the ways in which clients engage with the materials are just as illuminating as the finished artistic expression itself.

Please get in touch if you have any futher questions or would like to arrange a telephone chat to discuss your options for working with me.