what is art therapy?

Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses creative expression alongside talking and reflection to support emotional wellbeing, self-understanding, and healing.

It is not about artistic ability or creating “good” artwork. Instead, it is about using art materials as a way to express thoughts, feelings, and experiences that may be difficult to put into words.

Art therapy can support children, young people, and adults through a wide range of experiences, including anxiety, grief, trauma, emotional overwhelm, low self-esteem, neurodiversity, and life transitions. It can also simply offer a space to pause, reflect, and better understand yourself.

About me.

How can art therapy help?

Grief can feel confusing, heavy, or difficult to put into words. Art therapy offers a gentle space to express loss, hold memories, and process what has happened at your own pace.
You may feel constantly worried, tense, or on edge. Art therapy can support you in slowing things down, regulating emotions, and finding a greater sense of calm and control.
You may have experienced things that feel overwhelming or hard to make sense of. Art therapy offers an alternative way to explore these experiences safely without needing to talk directly.
Major life changes can bring uncertainty, loss, or a sense of feeling unsettled. This might include experiences such as divorce, separation, becoming a parent, moving home, changing schools or jobs, retirement, or other significant life events. Art therapy provides space to process change, make sense of new experiences, and navigate transitions with greater confidence and understanding.

Life can feel demanding, leaving little space to pause, reflect, or recharge. Art therapy offers an opportunity to slow down, reconnect with yourself, and develop healthier ways of coping with stress.
You might struggle with confidence, self-worth, or knowing who you are. Art therapy can help you explore your sense of self and build a stronger, more compassionate relationship with yourself.
You may experience the world in a different way, including how you communicate, feel, or process information. Art therapy offers a flexible and supportive space that adapts to your needs and ways of engaging.
Sometimes you may just know that things don’t feel right, without being able to explain why. Art therapy offers a space to explore this safely, without needing clear words or answers.