Frequently Asked Questions

"Do I have to be good at art to do art therapy?"

Nope! Art therapy is all about the process of creating, not the finished product. A lot of what I do with clients may look messy, pointless, or absurd, but the act of doing it can be really healing.

"What's the difference between art therapy and an art class?"

"I hated therapy/counselling in the past - why would this be any different?"

It's not uncommon to struggle with traditional talk therapy. Often, we can't find the words to articulate what we are experiencing, much less make sense of it. Art therapy focuses on making sense of what's going on in a more sensory, embodied way. This felt understanding gives us something to build on, as we work our way up to putting our feelings into words.

"Do I have to bring anything?"

Whether I come to you or you come to my location, I will supply all materials and accommodating tools (gloves, etc.). If you would like to engage online over a video call, will be offering a 'starter' pack of basic arts materials for a small price that can be sent to you before our first session, otherwise we can work with whatever you have at home (you'll be amazed at what can be achieved with a simple pen and paper!)

"It sounds a little... alternative. Is it a legit form of therapy?"

100%! Not only do I have an undergraduate degree in Psychology, but to become a qualified, registered art therapist, I had to complete a Masters-level clinical degree. The framework I use for planning and evaluation is rooted in neuroscience and I weave a range of evidence-based psychotherapeutic approaches into this work. Art therapy is a more holistic practice, in that it considers all facets of a person's experience (not just what they can put into words) but make no mistake - it is a very legitimate form of psychotherapy that has been proven extremely effective time and time again. For more information, please visit the Australia, New Zealand, and Asia Creative Arts Therapy Association.

"Are you going to psychoanalyse me?"

Not at all! My role is to be alongside you as you process challenging feelings and experiences. I go into each session with an open curiosity for what the arts can do to support you, and work with whatever comes up during our time together.

Art classes are focused on learning artistic skills with the intention of ending up with something that looks aesthetically pleasing, that you might display or add to a portfolio. If you think back to school art lessons, you might have been instructed to shade with your pencil a certain way, or blend colours when painting a portrait.

In art therapy, there are no instructions, and the art making is very open-ended. We might follow whatever urges, curiosities, or thoughts come up in the moment or unpack challenging thoughts and feelings by processing them through the creative means. There is no right or wrong way to engage with art therapy, and the focus is more around supporting your psycho-emotional needs rather than learning something.