As a qualified art psychotherapist, registered with the HCPC I can work with children and adults via schools, charities and other organisations in Chester and near surrounds.
I am trained to help you to use art materials as a way to express how you’re feeling, without the need to find words or explain. You don’t need any art skills, you are good enough just as you are. I will provide a range of art materials and a safe, non-judgemental space. There will be time for you to reflect and get to know yourself more deeply. It can be a helpful way to express complex feelings and experiences. It can give you chance to find new ways to let off steam and find meaning. Therapy is also a precious time to focus on yourself and your own needs, something that can be rare in amongst the bustle of demands in everyday life.
Contact me if you would like to discuss what I could offer in your organisation. I can work with your students, clients or service users and your staff.
Art Therapy
See FAQs below
Is art therapy like an art workshop?
Art therapy is very distinct from art and craft workshops. Although the activity may look similar from the outside. The activity in art therapy sits within a carefully defined therapeutic frame and the images created are comparable to clinical notes. You don’t not need to be "good" at art to benefit. Images are not judged in this way. In fact, it can be useful to be completely new to art as this may reduce self-consciousness. Doodles and stick men are all welcome! There is no aim to improve craft/artistic skills but to explore feelings through making pictures or objects.
Do you analyse art work?
A client’s imagery is highly individual. The shapes, motifs, colours and lines used in a picture or object may be influenced by any aspect of a person’s life. What may look “hopeful” to one client may be an expression of fear by another.
Within British Art Therapy images are not there for us to analyse and base diagnosis on. Although imagery can offer great insight, it is the client's own personal visual ‘voice’ that we learn to understand via the therapeutic relationship.
Art Therapists
Art therapist/ art psychotherapist is an allied healthcare professional. It is a protected title, which can only be used by suitably qualified people. They must be trained to Masters level or higher in Art Psychotherapy/Therapy.
It is regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) who sets out standards of proficiency that must be adhered to. Art therapists must be registered with HCPC in order to practise.
Art Therapists must also work within the British Association of Art Therapists code of ethics.