Art Therapy takes place in a room with art materials and an Art Therapist. It is about using the art materials with an Art Therapist to show yourself and other people how you are feeling. This can let other people understand and help you and allow you to help yourself.

The relationship between the therapist and the client is of central importance, but art therapy differs from other talking therapies in that it is a three way process between the client, the therapist and the image or construction. It offers a way to express and communicate for people who find it hard to express their thoughts and feelings in words.

Where does Art Therapy take place?

Art therapy can be found in the following settings.

Health services

* Hospitals, medical and psychiatric

* Outpatient facilities

* Eldercare facilities

Social services

* Residential treatment centres

* Youth centres

* Correctional facilities

* Rehabilitation centres

Educational settings

* Mainstream and special schools

* Art studios

* Community centres (this includes private practice art therapists)

* Cross-cultural centres

What do I do in Art Therapy?

You are given time with art materials to make things, play and talk.

Why do people see an Art Therapist?

Sometimes changes in their lives at home, school, with family and friends make some people behave differently, or have very strong feelings about. It may be hard to talk and think about how you feel.

What kind of things do Art Therapists help people with?

Some reasons a person sees an art therapist may be:

To help you think about how you look and feel about yourself

To feel more confident in yourself

To explore changes and bad experiences in your life from the past and put them behind you

To understand why you do things that you don’t want to do

To have a stable and understanding place to go when things in life seem very unsafe or changeable

How can Art Therapy help me?

Art therapy encourages you to express yourself and communicate how they feel. This helps them gain increased self awareness, understanding and self esteem. Art Therapy can be another way to express things.

Do I have to be good at Art?

Art therapy is not about being good at art but being willing to use the materials to express yourself with art materials. Art Therapy aims to help people make change and grow on a personal level through the use of art materials in a safe environment.

When and where will I see the Art Therapist?

You will see the same art therapist on each Appointment. You will work in a quiet room at your local centre.

Who knows that I am doing Art Therapy?

Art Therapy is private within the health team unless you or someone you know is unsafe and have been or are at risk of being hurt. We will talk to you about this when we meet.

While you do Art Therapy your work will be kept in a safe place and is looked after by the Art Therapist. When you have finished working with an Art Therapist you can keep your Art work or it can be stored for up to 3 years at the centre after this is will be safely disposed of. The person who has referred you and your G.P., parents or carers will know you have been offered Art Therapy. Your Art Therapist will have supervision with another professional in their team, to make sure that they are helping you in the best way they can. If other professionals work with you we may all meet to make sure we are all working together to help you and your family. You can tell people you are doing Art Therapy if you want to.

What happens if I don’t like Art Therapy?

If you are not happy with Art Therapy we want you to talk to us about this. If you have questions about Art Therapy please feel free to ask your Art Therapist.

Monica Gobourne is an Art Psychotherapist based in Greenwich South London, all enquiries 07762782114. Groups and individual sessions offered. Workshops, experiential groups.
http://www.creativityfromwithin.co.uk