Art Therapy
a creative path to healing and self-discovery
Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that employs creative art-making as a means of expression and communication.
It offers a unique way for individuals who struggle with verbal expression to connect with their emotions and experiences and is especially helpful when traditional forms of therapy fail to make sense of one’s experience.
Art therapy is accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds, and no prior art-making experience is required.
The process is facilitated by a qualified art therapist, who creates a therapeutic environment for clients to engage with their experiences.
By utilizing kinesthetic, sensory, perceptual, and symbolic expressions, art therapy provides a powerful tool for giving voice and form to one’s struggles and experiences.
It achieves this by using client-centred approaches like psycho-education, art-based mindfulness techniques, and mentalization-based techniques to create a compassionate and empowering environment.
Whether you are a child with developmental or learning disabilities, a patient with chronic illness, or an adult struggling with addiction or mental health issues, art therapy can be a valuable tool for healing and self-discovery.
In a nurturing and supportive environment, art therapy can help you tap into your inner creativity, explore your emotions, and develop greater self-awareness and self-compassion.
The ultimate goal of art therapy is to help you gain a deeper understanding of your experiences and emotions while providing you with creative and novel ways of managing stress and improving your mental health.
Whether you are seeking support for a specific condition or simply want to explore your creative side, art therapy can offer a safe and enriching experience that can help you on your journey towards healing and personal growth.
FAQs
You do not need any prior art-making experience to be an art therapy client. Art therapy is a unique form of therapy that uses art-making as a tool for self-expression and exploration. The focus is on the process of creating, rather than the end product. Your art therapist will guide you through the creative process and support you in discovering what the art means to you. So whether you are an experienced artist or have never picked up a paintbrush before, you are welcome to explore art therapy and receive all the benefits it has to offer.
To book your first art therapy session:
- For first-time clients, please schedule a 20 minute no-cost initial consultation call with our Art Therapist. During this call, we can help you schedule your first Art Therapy session based on availability.
- Or, you could reach out to us using our contact page and select your preferred mode of communication: email or WhatsApp, to book your session.
- To book your subsequent sessions your therapist will work with you to arrange appointments that best fit your schedule and lifestyle. Our goal is to support you on your journey towards healing and growth in a nurturing and compassionate environment.
Going to your first therapy session can feel overwhelming, but you’re taking an important step towards your mental health and well-being. Here’s what you can expect:
- The first 10-15 minutes of your very first session will be spent filling out consent and intake forms. These forms will help your therapist understand your unique needs and goals, so that they can tailor the session and treatment plans accordingly.
- The main goal of your first session is to help you experience the potential of art therapy and to get to know your therapist and their approach. You’ll also have the opportunity to set goals for future sessions.
- Keep in mind that therapy sessions can sometimes be intense, so it’s important to take time to relax or do something comforting after your session. Remember to be kind to yourself and give yourself time to process any emotions that may come up during or after the session.
Our art therapist is a registered member of ANZACATA (Membership no:56413215), ensuring that all treatments are governed by established art psychotherapy principles, boundaries, and settings. As part of our professional ethics and duty, the art therapist seeks professional supervision to continue providing high-quality services to clients. Any art created during sessions may be discussed with the supervisor, but no identifying material will be provided. If the art therapist wishes to use the artwork for academic research or articles, your exclusive consent will be sought, which you can choose not to give depending on your comfort level.
Starting therapy can be challenging, and it takes courage to reach out to a therapist and book a session. If you’re preparing for your online art therapy session, know that you’re doing a great job. To help you have an uninterrupted session, here are some things to keep in mind.
- Find a quiet, private room where you can close the door for your privacy and comfort. You may want to settle down in this room 10 minutes before the session begins and have some tissues and a warm drink.
- Make sure you have a reliable internet connection and that your camera and headphones are working properly. You may use any modern browsers on your personal computer to access the session links we provide.
- Connect your device to a power source or ensure that it has enough battery to last through the entire session without interruption.
- Gather as many art materials as possible for the session. For first-time clients, markers, pens, pencils, and paper are sufficient. Your therapist will guide you on what materials to have on hand for future sessions, and there’s no need to buy expensive materials as we believe in creatively upcycling objects found around your home for your art-making process.
- Both you and your therapist should keep a portfolio of the images you create during the session. You are required to take a good-quality picture of your artwork and share it with the therapist for their record-keeping. Depending on your preference, you can either store the image in a file or safe space, or you may discard it once you give a digital copy of your art work to the therapist.
- Finally, be kind to yourself after the session, as it can be physically and emotionally intense. Take some time to relax or do something that brings you comfort.
We use Microsoft Teams for our online sessions and 20-minutes initial consultation call. To further ensure your privacy, we recommend that you use your personal computer with a strong password. If you are using a public or shared computer, please remember to log out of account once the session has ended.
Additionally, it’s best to have your session in a room where you can close the door and use headphones for added privacy.
No referral is needed to work with us, feel free to contact us directly to schedule an appointment. We work collaboratively with medical and mental health professionals, to provide comprehensive care to our clients. If further treatment is required, we can make appropriate referrals or suggest other practitioners to meet your needs. We are committed to supporting you throughout your therapeutic journey.
We completely understand that sometimes unexpected events or circumstances may arise, making it difficult to keep your scheduled therapy appointment. If you find yourself in this situation, please don’t hesitate to contact us to reschedule or cancel. We kindly request that you provide at least 24 hours’ notice for any changes or cancellations, as this allows us to offer the appointment slot to other clients in need. Please be aware that if you do not provide adequate notice, the missed session will still be chargeable. Our team will do our best to work with you to find a new time that fits your schedule.
We understand that insurance coverage for therapy can be complex, and we want to support you in any way we can. While we do not work directly with insurance companies, we can provide you with a letter and invoices that you can use to claim reimbursement independently. It is important to note that some insurers may require pre-approval before starting treatment, so it may be advisable to check with your insurer beforehand. We are here to help you answer any questions you may have about the insurance process.
