For many of us, expressing our traumatic and complex experiences or emotions through
words can feel extremely overwhelming. Art therapy offers an accessible option to
process these experiences when we cannot find the words, especially when words
cannot capture the full extent of what we are feeling. Art therapy moves at your pace
and prioritises choice and collaboration, allowing you to engage with your experiences
in a manner that feels manageable and supportive.
At Centre Self Collective we explore the use of multiple art forms, such as painting,
drawing, sculpting, or collaging, to promote mental health and overall well-being. We
draw on a wide range of psychological interventions throughout art therapy to provide
holistic care, as we know that each person has a unique healing journey and deserves a
safe environment to embark on this journey in. Our registered creative art therapists
integrate the creative process with therapeutic practice to ensure the art-making serves
a wider purpose.
Do I Need to Be “Good at Art”?
A common concern surrounding art therapy is the belief that we must have previous
artistic experience or talents in order to be “good” at art therapy. The effectiveness of art
therapy does not rely on artistic skill, as we are focused on the process rather than
creating a “perfect” final piece. You do not need confidence in your artistic skills, just the
curiosity and motivation to try art therapy.
Who is Art Therapy for?
Art therapy can be helpful for people of all backgrounds and life experiences, as there is
no category of person that art therapy is specifically for. Art therapy can support those
experiencing stress, depression, anxiety, trauma and PTSD, eating disorders,
relationship challenges, sensory processing differences, and neurodiverse individuals.
What Happens in an Art Therapy Session
Art therapy sessions are held in a private and calm space where the materials are
provided and explained. There is no pressure to complete or take home your creations,
although some people collect their art to track the therapeutic process. Each art therapy
session may look slightly different, as we prioritise personalising each session to your
unique needs and circumstances. This may include alternating what materials are used,
what is discussed, or how much time we spend discussing and creating.
Typically, art-making will take up a large portion of the session, with the option to reduce
the amount of time spent on creating when more discussion may be wanted or needed.
The art-making may be structured, with our art therapist providing prompts to guide the
artistic process, or unstructured, where you can explore whatever you are pulled to
create.
Talking can occur during the art-making, after it, or sometimes not at all depending on
what you need and what feels right for you on the day. After the art-making portion, you
are welcome to verbalise and discuss what you have created means to you and what
may have come up during the process. Our art therapist will support you by asking
gentle questions or prompting you so that you can identify your feelings and emotions or
assist you in reaching your goals, such as self-awareness, problem-solving or gaining
insight.
Making Sense of Feelings Without Words
Art-making can help access the feelings and beliefs that are hidden beneath our
conscious thoughts. Colours, shapes, movements, and textures can express feelings of
anger, sadness, joy, and confusion without having to find the right words.
Rather than relying predominantly on talking, art therapy encourages using the natural
creative process of making to bypass the limitations of traditional therapy and tap into a
deeper level of ourselves. Art therapy offers a gentle approach to addressing emotions
that are overwhelming, fragmented, or impossible to name.
Taking the First Step
Beginning art therapy can feel daunting, especially for those who have limited prior
experience with art-making. If you are curious but unsure about taking the first step, that
is okay. You are not expected to start art therapy and know what you would like to
create or achieve; this is a process that we can work on together throughout the
sessions.
The first step can be booking a 15-minute obligation-free consultation with our intake
clinician to determine if art therapy might be the right support option for your current
needs and circumstances.
Read more about our art therapist Greg.
Contact us to: Begin your journey with us.
