Art Psychotherapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses art media as its primary mode of expression. Within this context, art is not used as a diagnostic tool but as a medium to address emotional issues which may be confusing and distressing.

Art Psychotherapy is a different approach to 'talking therapies'. Sometimes talking can feel too challenging; perhaps there are no words to describe how you feel, or it may be that words simply aren't enough, or that you get 'stuck'. Art psychotherapy offers another way to tell your story.

It's not important, or even necessary to consider yourself artistic; we all have creativity within us. As children, we play to make sense sense of the world, and in playing we use 'stuff', and we don't question what we make, we simply gain understanding from it, we figure things out through exploration and discovery. Play is a highly creative process using body and mind; it's flexible and is often free from externally imposed goals. Art psychotherapy is a little like that...

Working with art materials and the imagination can offer a different dimension, a new way of looking; the image, or the artwork speaks for you, and to you. The image or artwork becomes part of the therapeutic relationship between yourself and the art psychotherapist and can provide insight, and a connection to your inner world.

You won't be asked to draw or make anything; the choice to use art materials will always be yours...but you might find it helpful.

Who is it for? 

Art Psychotherapists work with children, young people, adults and the elderly. We work with a wide range of difficulties, disabilities and diagnoses such as emotional, behavioural or mental health problems, learning or physical disabilities, life-limiting conditions, neurological conditions and physical illnesses. 

You may be seeking help for a number of reasons; depression and anxiety, stress, bereavement, relationship difficulties, a sense of directionless, and many more. Working with you creatively and psychologically we attempt to secure an emotional wellbeing that is core to you, and your sense of who you are.​

Practitioners

Michelle Roberts
​Art Psychotherapist