Art Therapy
Art Therapy Update
As much as we would love to support everyone who reaches out to us, our current capacity is limited. Due to space and volunteer availability, we are not accepting new Art Therapy clients through the charity at this time.
We understand this may be disappointing, and we appreciate your understanding. Please check back in the future or contact us for information about other support options that may be available.
What is Art Therapy?
Art Therapy offers a creative and supportive way to explore thoughts and feelings that may be difficult to put into words.
Through the use of images and creative expression, Art Therapy can help communicate emotions that may feel confusing, overwhelming, or hard to explain. It provides a gentle path to understanding and healing.
At Survive, sessions take place in a safe, confidential space, supported by a qualified Art Therapist or an Art Therapist in training.
You’ll be encouraged to explore your art at your own pace, helping you make sense of inner experiences and find new ways to cope.
Can Art Therapy Help Me?
Art Therapy can be helpful for a wide range of emotional challenges, including anxiety, frustration, low self-esteem, and the effects of past trauma.
You don’t need to have any artistic experience — just a willingness to explore your thoughts and feelings in a creative way. Over time, Art Therapy can support you in making sense of difficult emotions, developing self-awareness, and finding new ways to cope.
You Don’t Have to Be ‘Good’ at Art
Art Therapy isn’t about making ‘good’ art — it’s about expressing yourself in a creative and meaningful way.
You’ll have the freedom to explore different materials and work at your own pace. There’s no pressure, no judgment, and no expectation of artistic skill. Art Therapy is very different from art lessons or creating work for display — it’s not a taught session, but a personal process of exploration and healing.
It’s completely normal to feel unsure or uncomfortable at the beginning. Starting therapy can bring up a mix of emotions, and every journey is unique. Your Art Therapist in training will be there to support you through the different stages of starting, exploring, and eventually ending therapy, at a pace that feels right for you.
What is an art therapist?
An Art Therapist is a professional regulated by the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) and trained in psychotherapy, using the process of art as a primary mode of communication.
Consent
Before you start Art Therapy, it is important that you understand what you are agreeing to engage with, so you will be guided through what the sessions will involve and how thoughts and feelings can be expressed. You will need to give consent (permission) to show you understand this after the first meeting.
You can change your mind and end your sessions at any time.
Confidentiality
The sessions will be private but relevant information will be passed on to the appropriate professional if it is thought that you or others are at risk; I will try to talk to you about this.
Art Storage
The art you produce will be kept in a safe place until the end of all your sessions and then you can either take them home or leave them with me for safe disposal.
The Route of Art Therapy
You will be referred by either your counsellor or GP as they think you might benefit from the sessions. If you decide you want to be referred talk to your counsellor or contact Survive.
There will be an initial meeting with the Art Therapist in training to discuss the sessions with you and how they can support you within the sessions.
The sessions will take place at Survive and a convenient date and time will be arranged. The sessions are typically once a week and will last for one hour.
The number of sessions you have will be discussed during the regular reviews.
Further information about Art Therapy can be found at:
BAAT (British Association of Art Therapists) website: www.baat.org
HCPC (Health Care Professions Council) the organisation that registers Art Therapists website: http://www.hpc-uk.org