What is Art Therapy?
Embrace Your Inner Creativity
Art therapy is an established form of psychotherapy, delivered by trained art therapists (also known as art psychotherapists).
Art therapy uses art as the primary mode of expression, alongside talking with an art therapist. It aims to reduce distress and improve social, emotional and mental health by promoting insight, self-compassion and a sense of agency and self-worth.
During art therapy, you are supported by an art therapist to use art to express and articulate often complex thoughts and feelings through art making. This may be following difficult or traumatic experiences which may be hard to talk about.
Who is art therapy suitable for?
Art therapy can help people of all ages and at all stages of life, including those whose life has been affected by difficult personal or cultural experiences, illness and/or disability. You do not need to be skilled in art to benefit from art therapy (BAAT).
How is art therapy regulated?
In the UK, the title art therapist and art psychotherapist are protected by law. All UK art therapists must be state registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). All registered art therapists can be found on the HCPC’s register.
Where will I meet the art therapist & who will be there?
You will meet in a private room where you won’t be interrupted, such as an art room or a meeting room. Alternatively, you may meet your art therapist in an online meeting room, using software like Zoom.
Depending on your needs, you will either join group therapy or individual therapy.
In group therapy, you will be with the art therapist and a small group of participants.
In individual therapy, it will just be you and the art therapist.
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Do I have to be good at art?
No, you do not need any previous experience or expertise in art. Art therapy isn’t a recreational activity or an art lesson, although the sessions can be enjoyable.
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What will we do in an art therapy session?
You will make art and talk (which may be done at the same time) or you can make art in silence if that’s your preference. When making art, you can choose materials that best suit you e.g., paint, pastel or clay, or you might make a collage.
The art therapist may sit quietly and pay attention whilst you make art or they may make art alongside you, depending on your needs during each session. You and the art therapist will also talk and think together to make sense of the thoughts, feelings and experiences that come up during your art-making or when you look at your artwork.