ASH HOWLAND-DAVENPORT
Art Therapy

ABOUT ART THERAPY

Art Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses the creative process of art making to explore, express and communicate your experiences, thoughts and feelings.

 

During your Art Therapy sessions you will build a relationship with your therapist, as well as a relationship with the art making process itself. Art making can be a powerful tool used to help navigate life’s challenges.

 

WHO ART THERAPY IS FOR

Art Therapy is for anyone, of any age and any ability. You don’t need to have any art experience or skill; in Art Therapy art making is used for expression and is not critiqued or judged. If I believe an alternative therapy would be better suited, or more beneficial, to you I will share this with you.

 

 

AIMS OF ART THERAPY

• Help you make sense of things and understand yourself better; always leading with self-compassion.

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• Help you resolve complicated feelings, or find ways to live with them; reducing distress.

 

• Help to build confidence and learn new skills, leading to a sense of agency.

 

• Help you communicate and express yourself, which might include feelings or experiences you find hard to put into words.

 

• A space to be playful and to experience yourself in new ways.

 

WHAT TO EXPECT

You will meet with me - your Art Therapist - somewhere private, where the session won’t be disturbed or interrupted. Or, the session can take place online, ensuring the same privacy. Sessions are typically one hour in duration.

 

You will have the chance to use art materials like: pens, crayons, paints, clay, collage, chalk and oil pastels. You can make art in silence, whilst I pay attention to your process, or we can talk whilst you make, or I can make art alongside you; whichever is your preference. We will discuss the art making experience and end piece, making sense of any thought and feelings that arose.

 

With my support, you might use art materials to express your feelings or experiences. You may find this unsettling, as sometimes difficult or  uncomfortable emotions can emerge, but this can be worked through in the sessions and you will be fully supported. We will always go at your pace.

 

I will offer to store, and keep safe, any art works you make during the art therapy sessions. At the end of the sessions you can decide whether you’d like to take your art with you, or you can leave it with me and I will dispose of it in a confidential way. If you want to take art works home weekly you can.