Art therapy engages the mind and the body. It promotes calm, a release of emotions and the renewal of a sense of self that may have been damaged by trauma or loss. As clients give voice to themselves through creativity, they grow in confidence and self worth.

Art therapists create a safe environment to enable clients of all ages to explore their experience nonverbally, through colour, shape and form.

Quiet and concentrated activities such as drawing or sculpting with clay help to relax the nervous system. Energetic projects such as expressive painting and large scale 3D work support the release of tension held in the body and encourage playfulness and free expression.

Art therapy empowers each person to take an active role in their healing. Alongside the responsive and empathetic encouragement of the therapist, clients use their imaginations freely to choose subjects, colours and materials to create images and objects by hand. The many decisions involved in art-making strengthens clients’ sense of autonomy as they begin to literally make their own mark on the world.

Art therapy can be combined effectively with other disciplines such as drama, play and music therapy in an integrated approach to healing and change.

To learn more about Art Therapy please see our resources page.