Frequently Asked
Questions
Art Psychotherapy is one form of therapy among many others. If you think you may benefit from a therapy service then it is important to find a mode of therapy and a therapist that suits you and your particular needs. If you would like to explore whether Art Psychotherapy is right for you, please get in touch to discuss or arrange an initial meeting.
Please also consider the following:
- Art Psychotherapy is a regulated profession, therefore anyone using the title ‘Art Therapist’ or ‘Art Psychotherapist’ is required to meet HCPC standards for their training, professional skills, behaviour and health. Visit www.hcpc-uk.org for further details.
-Art Psychotherapy combines psychotherapeutic techniques with creative processes. It can involve hands on artmaking, digital artmaking or looking at and thinking about artwork with the therapist. It can provide you with the opportunity to express and process your thoughts and feelings in a creative way, rather than relying on words alone.
- You do not need to be ‘good’ at art in order to use Art Psychotherapy. The therapist will support you in using art materials in your own way and at your own pace so that the artwork can be used as a way of making sense of what is happening in your life. It is not an art lesson and you will not be judged on your artistic skill.
Sometimes the term ‘Art Psychotherapy’ is shortened to ‘Art Therapy’. These terms are generally considered interchangeable. However, some people also use the term Art Therapy to describe art activities that may be relaxing but are not offered within the context of therapy by a qualified therapist. Using art to help you relax is not the same as Art Therapy or Art Psychotherapy, in which the psychotherapeutic relationship between therapist and client plays a central role, alongside the creation of artwork.
Each individual Art Psychotherapy session usually lasts 50 minutes, once a week, preferably on the same day and time each week, for an agreed number of weeks. Group sessions can sometimes be longer. These arrangements will be agreed during an initial meeting before your Art Psychotherapy commences. The initial meeting is an opportunity to explore what brings you to therapy and whether Art Psychotherapy is an appropriate treatment option for you. It is also an opportunity for you to ask any questions or discuss any concerns you may have.
All sessions are based in and around the Treehouse Art Studio where a variety of art materials will be available. There is space to make artwork, a comfortable area for discussion and viewing artwork together, and confidential storage for your artwork during your period of therapy.
During each session you will be encouraged to use the art materials for any sort of artmaking, including painting, drawing or making sculptures. Found images and objects and non-traditional materials can also be used. Sometimes you may be asked to consider a particular theme while artmaking and other times you will be encouraged to work in a creative and spontaneous way, to see where the artmaking leads you.
During each session, the time is usually divided between: time for artmaking or exploring the art materials in some way, time for discussion and reflecting on the process of artmaking, and time for looking at the artwork itself. You may find that during some sessions there is more emphasis on discussion and other sessions involve longer periods of artmaking. This fluctuation is normal and usually depends on your needs during each session.
The therapist will check in with you regularly throughout your period of therapy, to ensure the therapy remains meaningful and helpful to you.
Please email me at chloe.sparrow.art.therapy@protonmail.com or using the contact link below. You can also call me on 07724090802. If I am not available, please leave a voicemail message with your name and number if you would like me to return your call. If I am away, there may be a delay to my response by email or phone, however I will aim to respond as soon as possible.
At the early stages of Art Psychotherapy it is not always easy to determine how many sessions will be right for you. There are many factors to consider, such as your reasons for accessing therapy and the cost of sessions. For some people, short-term therapy can work well and an agreed number of sessions with a set ending is appropriate. For others, a more flexible approach is required because entering into the therapeutic relationship may bring up thoughts and feelings from the past, or about other relationships, that were not anticipated. In this case, it is often helpful to take the time to understand these experiences better, in order to move forward in life. The therapist will discuss sessions with you, so that you can come to an agreement on what seems right for you.
Please note that: it is not always easy to decide when to end therapy and endings in general can be painful for some, owing to past experiences of loss and separation being evoked. This is why the therapist will want to consider your end of therapy with care, and to make any neccessary preparations for you to end your sessions well.
My fee is £65 per session. Each session lasts for 50 minutes. The initial meeting, or consultation, when we discuss your needs and whether Art Psychotherapy is right for you, is offered at £20 and typically lasts between 30-60 minutes. Art Psychotherapy and Outdoor and Nature Based Art Psychotherapy are charged at the same rate. I offer a few spaces at a reduced rate to people who are on very low incomes or on benefits. Please discuss fees with me if you think this might apply to you.
You will be charged for all agreed/planned sessions whether you attend or not, unless you have given over 48 hours notice of your cancellation. If at all possible, I will try to offer an alternative appointment in the same week when cancellations occur, though I do not carry sessions over to the following week.
For more information about Art Psychotherapy, Art Therapists, or other areas of interest, please take a look at the following websites: