Since the beginning of time us humans have used creative methods to express our experiences in life and leave our mark on the world. Art therapy / Art psychotherapy is a creative process which is routed in psychotherapy theory. In its origin art psychotherapy was influenced by psychodynamic and psychoanalytic theory and more recently therapist’s utilise a range of integrative approaches such as humanistic, attachment theory, neuroscience and developmental and life span development theory, cognitive behavioural theory, meditation based practices and trauma informed approaches. It is a therapeutic process where you will have the opportunity to create images with the use of art materials and also build a trusting and confidential relationship with your therapist. Through this relationship you will have an opportunity to get know how you work and what make you you and also explore issues and emotions which you may at present find challenging. It offers an individual an alternative way to gain support and often the art making itself has healing qualities offering clarity in confusing and challenging times. Art making in this context offers an opportunity to create something tangible and something new when one may feel stuck in particular experience or way of behaving.
Art psychotherapy is used with all age groups, parent and child dyads, adults, children and teenagers, individuals and groups and families. It is not a recreational activity but it can often be an enjoyable experience of creative self discovery. One does not need to have experience in art making to engage in art psychotherapy as this is not about skill. Each individual session lasts one hour and group sessions are typically 2.5 hours allowing for art making and the opportunity to speak about the process. The images which are created are confidential and stored each week in your own folder or container until the the therapy sessions are concluded.
Art Therapist’s / Art Psychotherapists are accredited by IACAT the Irish Association for Creative Arts Therapist’s or BAAT the British Association for Creative Arts Therapist’s. Art Psychotherapist’s must train at masters level for two years full time or three years part time to become accredited with IACAT. An integral part of this training which differs from arts facilitation or other creative activities is application of psychotherapy, psychology and art therapy theory as well as personal therapy and experiential group therapy as part of the training. Here trainee therapist’s gain the experience of becoming clients through individual and group sessions offering a rich opportunity for accelerated personal growth and development to gain a sense of our own internal working models before engaging with clients.
As part of the training therapist’s must engage in clinically supervised art psychotherapy practice while working with clients. On completion of the training art psychotherapist’s must continue to engage in clinical supervision and this helps each therapist maintain a high quality and standard of practice which is supported and overseen by trained senior clinical supervisors. All therapist who are accredited with IACAT must abide by the associations code of the ethics for best practice. Check with your therapist if they accredited and engage in regular clinical supervision.
Mary Bergin Art Psychotherapist , BA., H.Dip., MA., M.Ps.S.I., MIACAT. REG.