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Art Therapy is an intervention which can assist a person's psychological, emotional, social and physical development.
We hope you can find all the information you need about the benefits of Art Therapy. Jan Carlton is focused on providing Art Therapy as a highly professional accessible way of self expression for people who are going through personal trauma.
Jan is a member of The Health Professions Council and a full member of the British Association of Arts Therapists. Look around our website and if you have any comments or questions, please feel free to contact us.
Art Therapy can help clients who have low self esteem, lack confidence, are having relationship difficulties, are experiencing emotional and behavioural problems, have social and communication problems, have suffered bereavement, have had changes in family structure, have suffered abuse, bullying or trauma,have an illness or an illness in the family, have learning or physical difficulties, have anxiety and mental health issues.
About Art Therapy
The overall endeavor of Art Therapy is to effect change and growth on a personal level through the use of art in a safe and facilitating environment. Art Therapy is a three way process that focuses on the use of art materials and the relationship between the therapist and the client. Adults, adolescents and children referred to an Art Therapist need not have previous experience or skill in art. The Art Therapist is not primarily concerned with making an aesthetic or diagnostic assessment of the art work. Art Therapy is not dependent on spoken language and can therefore be helpful to anyone who finds difficulty in expressing their thoughts and feelings.
When emotional difficulties are being faced, problems become difficult to cope with and this affects a person's life in a number of ways.
Art Therapy is an intervention which can assist a person's psychological, emotional, social and physical development.
Jan has a Masters degree in Art Psychotherapy from the university of Derby and is based in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. She has worked in several schools, Acute Psychiatric wards and Community Mental Health Teams. She is currently working with clients who have mental health difficulties such as Schizophrenia, Anxiety Disorders, Bi-Polar, Psychosis, Depression and Personality Disorders.
Clients normally attend for one to three assessment sessions. This is followed by an agreed amount of sessions with reviews in between.
Fear holds so many people back from doing so many things in their lives. If we just for once stop beating ourselves up and be nice to ourselves and begin to think about loving who we are; then the fear goes away. There is a quote that I really like. I apologise to the person who wrote it because I do not know who you are.
Fear knocked on the door
Love answered
There was no one there.
The good thing about Art Therapy is that if you know you can create an image without the fear of someone saying you could do better; it's not good enough but instead they say " I can see clearly what you are telling me, it makes sense" You then go on to do better images to tell your story how it is meant to be told, your own genuine way.
Art Therapy
Art Therapy is the bringing about of self expression, done through the use of art materials by an art therapist. Therapists receive regular clinical supervision themselves.
By allowing you to express yourself freely, the therapist enables you to work out, with guidance if needed, what issues you may have. These issues may have not have been in your conscious mind for some time, if at all.
Most people are referred to an art therapist, but many seek out the expertise of the therapist for themselves. A good therapeutic alliance is needed for the therapy to work, and you need to be put at total ease and feel comfortable. The alliance can only succeed if a strong bond is formed between the therapist and yourself. On occasions, this may take quite a few sessions to form.
You can receive therapy individually or in a group setting. Groups have the advantage of providing a social aspect to the learning process.Groups often comprise of people with similar if not the same difficulties. This works well as long as the group members offer mutual support and problem solving.
Art therapy is about painting spontaneously. It as an open ended exploration, using art in a personal way, and that there is no right way to do it. (Marian Liebmann 1989, Art Therapy For Groups)
In art therapy the created image does not have to be aesthetically pleasing, your story, your journey is still the same whether it has been painted to perfection in oils or just scribbled down.
Why Use Art?
- In a group everyone can use art materials at the same time.
- Art can be used as communication, especially when words are not enough or a person is not able to say the right words.
- As art is enjoyable, the experience is shared.
- Creativity is encouraged through the use of art and a sense of achievement emerges when a person becomes relaxed by using the materials without being judged on how "good" or "bad" the image is.
- Themes arise in the group and often similar issues and difficulties are shared.
- Different people use the materials in different ways and there is no right or wrong way.
- People inspire others by their experimentation.
- Everyone is able to tell their own story through what ever way they wish to.
Aims Of Art Therapy
- Explore underlying thoughts and beliefs that affect our life.
- Reflect on what has been happening and how behaviour contributes to things that happen to us.
- Allows a person to feel in control.
- Develop a sense of self through the choice of art materials.
- Building trust, respect and empathy.
- Being able to feel at ease while experimenting with art.
- Develop awareness of self-esteem and the abilities that we have to fulfill our potential
- Explore any issues with religion, gender and race.
- Explore personal beliefs.
- Encouragement of personal development.
- Address beliefs of failure, helplessness and being a victim.
- Promote independence and empowerment.
- Encourage a positive contribution to the therapeutic relationship.
- Explore harmful behaviours.
- Address concerns regarding mental and physical health.
- Give a safe therapeutic space in which to express feelings and emotions.
- Understand where certain emotions come from.
- Explore how feelings change thoughts.
- Express these feelings without being judged.
- Develop understandings of how we interact with others and how others interact with us.
- Explore present and past relationships.
- Having time and space to be listened to and be heard.
- Having the confidence to know that everything is confidential.
- Develop a true sense of self.
- Explore were self image has developed from.
The Assessment process:
- To establish a trusting relationship between client and therapist and to see whether they can work together.
- To find out the main areas of difficulties and the clients aims from attending therapy.
- Agree the possible length of therapy needed.
- Assess the client's motivation to engage in the creative process.
- To assess whether a referral may be needed to another professional.
Art Therapy in the UK is a state registered profession with the Health Professions Council (HPC). Art Therapists are bound by law to be registered with the HPC.
The British Institute of Art Therapists (BAAT) promotes Art Therapy and has its own code of ethics of professional practice. A good book for you to read about Art Therapy is"The Handbook of Art Therapy" written by Caroline Case & Tessa Dalley.
The first Art Therapy post was established in the NHS in 1946 and Art Therapy was recognised as a profession in 1981, leading to state registration in 1999. (Case & Dalley, 2004)
Testimonials
What did Art Therapy mean to you?
"I have been able to communicate far better through art than with words. Some difficult issues had been addressed whilst increasing my confidence and trust too.I have felt safe and supported. The hardest part is having the first blank piece of paper in front of you and making the first mark, it does get easier. If you are thinking about having Art Therapy, I wouldn't hesitate."
CP
" It has meant a good deal because I have used art work to express how I feel also I have been listened to. I would recommend it."
WT
"I have found it useful to listen to others experiences as well as sharing my own in a safe environment. There are advantages I feel in working individually and in small and large groups.I appreciate the fact that there is no pressure to discuss sensitive issues if you do not wish to do so. I am looking forward to my next session. Thank you for all your support Jan"
TT
"Since attending your Art Therapy I have been inspired to see art as very beneficial in my present outlook on life. I have found a new confidence and a different way of expressing my handling of day to day pressures and means of moving forward in a positive way.
SM
"It has been a safe and non-judgmental environment for me to express feelings. In a group setting I have been able to socialise more and have learned from others as they have expressed positive views only about my work and have seen much more diversity in the work".
CH
"It has brought me out of my shell. I like to speak about cards and crafts and make cards. I've spoken more in Art Therapy than I've ever spoken before. I've enjoyed it in Art Therapy because I can express my inner self more. I hope to have Art Therapy again.
F.D
"I had issues with my children and their step-dad. Art Psychotherapy has helped me see aspects of my life from a different perspective. It may help you see things in a different way and lighten your load".
SM
"Art Psychotherapy has helped me concentrate on other things instead of my anxiety and depression. It is good to take your mind off problems which are bothering you"
CG
"I would recommend it as it has helped me with my every day problems"
M
"I lacked confidence. I had Art Psychotherapy for three months. It has helped me with my difficulties, it has helped me to express my emotions in my drawings"
BJ
" I have depression, anxiety and borderline personality disorder and I have problems dealing with my emotions. In group Art Therapy I could put how I was feeling on paper. It's a good atmosphere in a group of people who have problems and your not singled out"
S.Z
“It helped me in my drawings to put down whats going on in my head. I can't always tell my C.P.N how I am feeling that way. I still don't understand why I am this way and why I see things in my head. By one to one with Jan, over time, it helped me because Jan was kind, understanding and didn't laugh at me. I could not talk about what I did at first or understand what I was drawing. But over time I could start and talk to Jan. I can draw what I am feeling and not get upset about people thinking that I am mad if they were to see my pictures. I know I am mad in the way that I draw, but this is me now and the old me has gone. I hope who reads this will understand what good work Jan and people like her do. It means so much to people like me. Thank you Jan"
C.J
For more information or to see how we can help you contact us today!!
QUALIFICATION DETAILS
Masters in Art Therapy
Degree with Hons in Fine Art
Service Categories
Art Therapists
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