Art Therapy
What is Art Therapy?
Art Therapy gives children and adults the chance to express their thoughts and feelings using art materials in the presence of a trained Art Therapist.
Children and adults do not need to be good at art. The Art Therapist invites the child or adult to use the art materials in whichever way they choose, encouraging a relaxed approach so that they do not feel under pressure.
Rubbena Aurangzeb-Tariq (MA)
Freelance Art Psychodynamic Psychotherapist provides:
Therapy
Supervision
Training
Expert Witness
Advice
Who can benefit from Art Therapy?
Art Therapy has been around for 70 years and during this time it has developed ways in how to respond to a variety of people, such as those with mental health conditions, personality disorders, neuro-developmental disorders (e.g. Autistic Spectrum Disorders), degenerative disorders (e.g. Alzheimer’s), learning difficulties and those experiencing end of life. It is used in prisons, with people who have experienced trauma (including emotional abuse, neglect, physical or sexual abuse) or who have emotional difficulties.
The Art Therapist can help people who find it hard to make and keep relationships. It can help adults or children who may have difficulty with verbal communication and expression. It works equally well for those who are over talkative as it does for those who struggle to find words.
Art Therapy can provide a response where talking therapies are not found to be suitable.
Confidentiality
Art Therapy sessions are confidential. Artwork is kept safe in each client’s folder and is stored in a locked cupboard between sessions. At the end of the therapy the client may choose to take their work home.
Therapy Sessions
Art Therapy sessions are provided on a weekly basis. Clients are seen either individually or in groups.
Individual sessions last for an hour and group sessions last for up to two hours depending on the size of the group and length of their concentration (e.g. small children).
Art Therapy Training
Art Therapists understand art processes as well as psychotherapeutic practice. Their training takes at least 6 years including a first degree in the arts and a Post graduate qualification (usually MA/Msc level) in Art Psychotherapy.
Art Therapists maintain their professional development through clinical supervision and post-qualification training.
Art Therapists’ training is approved by the British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT), which is a professional organisation with its own ethics and professional practice.
Art Therapy is a State regulated profession and it is a legal requirement to be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) in order to practise anywhere in the UK as an art therapist or art psychotherapist.
Deaf Culture & Art Therapy Group (DCAT)
Supported by BAAT, DCAT is a group of trained Art Therapists who use British Sign Language (BSL) to communicate with their client group (minimum of BSL level 3). Sharing dilemmas and therapeutic interventions helps members to professionally develop and keep their skills fresh and up-to-date.
DCAT aims to reduce barriers to communication and enable clients to express their thoughts and feelings through their preferred language.
The group is open to therapists from different therapeutic disciplines.
