OUR SERVICES

ART THERAPY

What is Art Therapy?

Art therapy is a form of therapy that uses the creative process of art-making to improve mental health and well-being. During the art therapy session the art process can serve as a medium for self-expression, allowing individuals to communicate and explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences in a non-verbal and less intimidating way.


Our art therapy services are suitable for people of all ages, starting at 6 years old. You don’t need any experience in making art and you don’t need to be an artist. As adults, we sometimes forget that we can be creative and can lose touch with this side of ourselves. This might result in a feeling of “I can’t do art”. In the art therapy session, we encourage our clients to explore a variety of art materials and support them to feel comfortable about being creative. We provide a wide range of mediums including different types of paints, drawing materials, clay, making materials, sewing materials, photography, nature items, music and many more. The goal in art therapy is to experience the journey of the creation of the artwork. 


In art therapy, clients can explore their thoughts and feelings through the making of art. This takes away the barriers of having to talk about ‘stuff’. For example; Therapist: “How do you feel? What kind of colour, shape or material could you use to represent/explain this feeling?” The art therapist will support the client in their therapy process by creating a safe and confidential space where clients can express and explore their feelings, concerns and intentions.

EXAMPLE ONE

Expressing and Processing Feelings

A teenage client comes to a therapy session after just having a big fight with their parents. The client indicates they are really angry. The client wants to express these feelings and chooses to use clay. The therapist asks them what this feeling feels like and looks like in this moment. During the session the client talks about the fight whilst shaping the clay. The client ends up poking/stabbing/digging into the clay. At the end of the session the client has not made a ‘typical’ sculpture out of the clay, however, they have expressed their angry feelings into the clay. The client leaves the session feeling relieved and no longer feels their anger at such a high intensity.

GOAL

Expressing and processing a feeling


OUTCOME

The client feels relieved and has expressed their feeling

EXAMPLE TWO

Sensory art

A nonverbal teenage client with an intellectual impairment attends fortnightly art therapy sessions. After a couple of months, a variety of art materials have been explored and the client’s favourite art material is found - Paint! During the next few sessions, the therapist supports the client to focus on creating their own paintings, including their own choices of colour, the need for more paper and helps them choose and use brushes, pallet knifes and their hands. This client uses copious amounts of paint, and each session ends with the use of hands to smear the paint on the paper, and rubbing paint on their hands. The therapy space is one without demands and full of encouragement.

GOAL

Providing a therapeutic space where the client can learn to communicate their choices, feel a sense of control, and engage in therapy in a positive way.


OUTCOME

A content, calm client who can communicate their choices

EXAMPLE THREE

Self-Reflection - Reflection of Self

An adult client chooses the pottery clay to create a three-dimensional self-portrait. This is a process that takes place over several therapy sessions. The client builds and shapes themself out of the clay. During this process the client is looking at themselves from an outsider’s point of view, which allows the client to look at themselves through a different lens. At times this is confronting, as well as insightful.

GOAL

Gaining a better insight of who I am


OUTCOME

The client has been able to connect with themselves in a new way

Who could benefit from Art Therapy?

Anyone can benefit from art therapy!

  • Art therapy can benefit you when you might be experiencing difficulties with; life transitions, personal growth, grief and loss, loneliness, separation issues, relationship issues etc. The art therapist can support you in overcoming your difficulties. 


  • Art therapy can support your child who might be dealing with anxiety, bullying, family separation, low self-esteem, emotional regulation difficulties, friendship problems etc. The art therapist will support your child in their personal growth and building their resilience.


  • Art therapy is accessible for children, teens, young adults and adults. There is no age limit for art therapy!


  • We have a great understanding of disabilities and pride ourselves to be a disability friendly service provider. Clients can use their NDIS funding for art therapy if they are plan-managed or self-managed.


  • We provide both individual and group art therapy. 


Interested in group art therapy? To find out more about our groups click here.

Make a Booking Enquiry

To book your appointment you can fill out the contact form or give us a phone call. Together we can work out what you would like to get out of your experience with The Art of Expression and which type of therapy would suit you best.

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