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Art therapy can be beneficial for individuals who may have difficulty expressing themselves verbally, such as those dealing with trauma, anxiety, depression or other mental health issues. It can help people of all ages to explore feelings, foster self-awareness, manage behaviour, develop social skills, increase self-esteem and facilitate personal growth.
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Art therapy is a scientifically recognised form of therapy. It has been shown to involve pathways in the brain that are part of sensory functions and motor skills. Specific parts of the brain involved in major functions of the body are improved by this type of therapy.
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Artwork is stored confidentially by the therapist and is suggested that all work is kept together to review with you when ready then take it all home on your last session. If taking your work home is more helpful for the client this can also be an option. For working online, you may wish to email an image of your artwork that you made on the session to your therapist.
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The therapist can help prompt you, the process can be guided on your feelings, thoughts and experiences. As you create art, the therapist will encourage you to explore your inner world and discuss your artwork. Through this dialogue, you can reflect on the feelings, memories and associations that arise during the creative process. The therapist will help you navigate and interpret your own creative process.
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Confidentiality is broken if the art therapist has concerns about the clients (or another person's) safety, she is legally obliged to contact the appropriate professionals. On these occasions she will speak to the client or parent of the client directly before acting but only if this will not put the client (or other person) in danger.
FAQs
WHAT CAN ART THERAPY HELP WITH?
STRESS
ANXIETY
DEPRESSION
TRAUMA
PTSD
EATING DISORDERS
STRESS RELIEF
EMOTIONAL RELEASE
SELF ESTEEM
ANGER
ACCEPTANCE
NONVERBAL
SELF HARM
GENDER IDENTITY
EMOTIONAL REGULATION
NIGHTMARES
PET LOSS
BULLYING
Angry joel, the boy who was hurt
In 2024 I created the artwork for a digital story ‘Angry Joel, The Boy Who Was Hurt’ for Heartpsychotherapy around the theme of trauma informed practice.
The story highlights the importance of trauma informed practice. In Joel’s case, he had experienced adverse childhood experience since birth. His Grandmother was the only safe person he had to share his worries with. The adults and peers within his school judged him as being ‘bad’, when they had no idea what was going on for him personally. It is so important when working with young people that we:
Do not making any assumptions regarding a child’s behaviour without being aware of what is or has gone on for them in their life
Remember that ALL behaviour is communication – no child behaves in a challenging way for the sake of it, there will always be something at the root
Having someone who Joel could confide in, helped there by his class teacher Miss Zain, completely changed his life. Joel needed this life ring and by accepting it, he was given a safe space to share his experiences and in turn feel calmer, and less sad and angry.
mORE ABOUT ME
I graduated from Queen Margaret University with a MSc in 2021 in Art Psychotherapy.
I have always found art making therapeutic and have used it throughout my own life. It is both nonverbal and communicative tool for both adults and children alike and can connect into the unconscious mind.
I originally studied in the Scottish borders completing my first degree in Fashion Design for Industry, where I worked with a menswear designer for some years in London. After events in my own life, I found the work very unrewarding and wanted to work with people helping them find peace within themselves.
Within a different capacity, for the last seven years I have worked closely with adults with acquired brain injury at Edinburgh Headway Group . Here, I helped set up an art therapy space for our members to access for free through funding which has been a vital service.
I have also run groups of art as therapy for young children from 0-5 and their carers in a voluntary aspect for children to engage in messy play. Messy play provides valuable sensory experiences that has been proven to improve and enhance cognitive, emotional and social development.
