Art therapy is an established form of psychotherapy that uses art-making and creative processes alongside conversation and the therapeutic relationship. It is delivered by a professionally trained art therapist and draws on psychological theory, art therapy theory, clinical practice, research, ethical standards and ongoing supervision.

Art therapy isn’t just about using art to relax, distract or express yourself. Creative processes can be used intentionally within therapy to explore emotions, relationships, memories, thoughts, patterns and experiences that may be difficult to approach through conversation alone.

The focus is not on producing ‘good’ art or necessarily creating a finished product. Instead, therapy can involve making, noticing, reflecting, talking and sometimes simply being curious about what emerges. The creative process can provide another way of seeing and experiencing something, opening up possibilities that may not become apparent through words alone.

We don't experience life through our thoughts alone. Our experiences can also show up through emotions, bodily sensations, relationships, memories, images and patterns of responding.

Creative and sensory processes can bring some of these experiences into greater awareness. Working with colour, images, materials, objects, movement or other forms of making can engage different ways of thinking, sensing and communicating, while the therapeutic relationship provides a safe space to explore what emerges.

This can support emotional regulation, self-understanding, meaning-making and a greater sense of agency. It can also create opportunities to experiment with different perspectives, responses and ways of relating to ourselves and others.

Sometimes making something helps us find words for an experience. Sometimes it helps us notice something before we have words for it. And sometimes the process itself provides a way of slowing down, becoming present and approaching an experience differently.

Phew! You don't need to consider yourself creative or have any particular artistic ability to take part in art therapy.

There is no expectation that you will produce something attractive, technically skilled or complete. The value is in the therapeutic process rather than the finished artwork.

You might draw, paint, make a collage, work with photography or objects, write, experiment with materials, or use another creative process. You might also spend an entire session talking. Art-making is never compulsory.

There is no set formula for an art therapy session. The approach is shaped around your age, circumstances, goals and what you are experiencing.

A session might involve conversation, art-making, reflection, or a combination of these. Your therapist may offer a creative invitation or introduce a particular material or process when they believe it may be therapeutically useful. You can also bring your own ideas and interests into the work.

The process might involve exploring a feeling, relationship or difficult experience; making something in response to a particular question; noticing what happens as you work; or simply experimenting with a material and seeing where it takes you.

The therapist's role is not to direct or judge the artwork, but to work alongside you, helping you notice, explore and make sense of your experience.

Art classes generally focus on developing artistic skills or creating a finished work. Art therapy has a different purpose.

The creative process takes place within a therapeutic relationship and is used to support psychological and emotional exploration. There is no expectation that your work will look a particular way, and your artistic ability is not being assessed.

Art therapy can be for anyone at any age.

For children, creative and play-based approaches can provide developmentally appropriate ways to communicate, explore experiences and build emotional awareness when verbal expression is still developing.

For young people, art therapy can provide greater choice in how they communicate and can support exploration of identity, relationships, emotions, transitions and difficult experiences.

For adults, creative processes can offer another way to explore emotions, patterns, relationships, life transitions and experiences that may be difficult to approach through conversation alone.

Art therapy can be useful for people who enjoy making things, people who are curious but inexperienced with art, and people who are initially unsure about it. The use of creative processes is always adapted to the individual.

The art therapist does not interpret your artwork for you.

There is no universal meaning attached to a particular colour, image, symbol or subject. A red mark does not automatically mean anger, and a particular image does not contain a hidden message that the therapist needs to decode.

Instead, meaning is explored collaboratively. Your own experiences, associations and understanding are central to the process. Your therapist may invite you to notice what you see, remember, feel or think about something you have made, while you remain the authority on your own experience.

Art therapy at Slow Practice Studio is informed by art therapy research, contemporary psychological research, clinical experience, professional supervision and ethical standards.

Research into art therapy continues to develop across different populations and clinical settings, including mental health, trauma, children and young people, medical settings and psychosocial wellbeing. The strength of evidence varies according to the population, presenting concern and intervention, so art therapy is not presented as a universal treatment or a replacement for other forms of psychological care.

My practice also draws on established therapeutic approaches, including:

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

• Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP)

• Internal Family Systems (IFS)

• attachment-based, developmental and relational approaches

These approaches are not applied as a fixed formula. Therapy is adapted to the individual, with creative processes incorporated where they have a clear therapeutic purpose.

Clinical decisions are guided by ongoing assessment, professional judgement, supervision and available evidence, with attention to what is safe, appropriate and genuinely useful for each person.