Art Therapy

View an Audio Image recording about Art Therapy

You do not have to be good at art for Art Therapy to help. It’s more about using art materials to express how you are feeling and to explore the issues and concerns that have led you to seek therapy. These could be current as well as things that relate to your past experiences.

If you are unsure what to do, the Art Therapist can help you to get started, think about a theme or suggest materials. The Art Therapist is not there to analyse your work or tell you what it’s about, but the art making can help you tell your story or facilitate discussion about the issues that have bought you to Off Centre.

The Art Therapist is not a teacher but is able to inform you about different materials if you need help or would like to try something new. Sometimes the artwork might bring up things for you that are unexpected or upsetting so you’ll usually spend some time towards the end of the session talking with your Art Therapist. Remember, they are not there to judge you or to tell you what to do but to explore with you what you bring to each session.

Here are some other things you might like to know:

• Your work is confidential. This means that only you and your Art Therapist see it regularly. It isn’t for public display, and nobody outside Off Centre will see it without your permission.
• Between each weekly session your work is kept safely in your own folder (or shelf if it’s 3 D).
• When you finish all your Art Therapy sessions it’s up to you whether you take your work or leave it. Some people take a few items, and leave the rest.

If you'd like to find out more about how art therapy could help you, please contact us. If you aren't ready to talk just yet, or want to read more download our Art therapy leaflet here.