ART THERAPY:
Due to COVID-19, the online provision of Art Therapy exploded. This has been exciting because its actually empowered many more people : it allows you to make more choice about what art therapy you want, who you want it with and how you want it structured. It takes away the pressure of travel, time and associated costs and is very helpful for anyone that face-to-face contact is difficult for. It also works readily for those who need a bit more personal space or experience social anxiety and/or communication issues. You might think it is hard to relate through a screen and that it requires eye contact and speech but that is not the case - it has been surprisingly easy form of connection and though different, it loses nothing from the in-person experience.
I continue to offer Art Therapy online or in a blended form of both online and in-person (often this is/can be outdoors). We can work together online via Zoom or Teams or Facetime or WhatsApp. You will need a safe, private space (headphones if needed), preferably a PC or Tablet with as big a screen as possible to work on, (though phones can work too) , a table or desk and some art materials - the wider the variety the better, but we can discuss this once we begin working together. You will need to be able to keep your artwork safe between sessions and be happy to photograph it to share with me or hold it up for me to screenshot.
If you are comfortable with digital artmaking and online working generally with sharing screens, music, apps etc - which is often the case for young people - it can be particularly helpful for developing a relationship gently, growing trust, holding a sense of being in control and expertise/skill sharing for confidence, self-esteem and self-awareness building. This can be very helpful for those that have become isolated, withdrawn, fearful and of concern to others, perhaps not atending school. With children and young people and/or persons of vulnerability, the online set up needs to be supported/held by a responsible adult or organisation such as the school to ensure the conditions needed for therapy and solid communication required between them and myself for safeguarding purposes.
CLINICAL SUPERVISION: I have been working with arts therapists and counsellors online for more than 8 years. This has included people in Australia, Indonesia, US and Egypt as well as all over the UK. I offer a safe and contained shared space through the computer screen, where we still retain art at the centre of your work by various means including sharing client’s imagery by email, directly or using the share screen, by co-making using digital art Apps, our art materials or Zoom’s Whiteboard.
Get in touch, we can discuss your needs.
Art therapy online or online clinical supervision can help you maintain this sense for yourself and your clients