Art Psychotherapy
Tunbridge Wells, Kent
What is Art Psychotherapy?
Art psychotherapy (also known as art therapy) is a form of psychological therapy that uses creative processes alongside therapeutic support to help children and young people explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
Children do not always have the words to explain what they are thinking or feeling. Art psychotherapy provides an alternative way of communicating through drawing, painting, clay, collage, and other creative materials. The process can help children express emotions, make sense of experiences, develop coping skills, and build confidence and resilience.
No artistic ability is required. The focus is not on producing artwork, but on using creative expression as a therapeutic tool to support emotional wellbeing, self-understanding, and positive change.
Our fully qualified Art Psychotherapists provide one-to-one therapy for children and young people aged 4–17 years in a private, welcoming, and fully equipped art therapy studio. All practitioners are registered with the HCPC and work in accordance with recognised ethical and professional standards.
How Can Art Psychotherapy Help?
Reception to Primary School Age (4–11 Years)
Art psychotherapy may help children experiencing anxiety, separation anxiety, emotional outbursts, low confidence, friendship difficulties, bullying, school-related anxiety, family separation, bereavement, autism, ADHD, trauma, and emotional regulation difficulties.
Secondary School Age & Teenagers (11–17 Years)
Art psychotherapy may help young people experiencing anxiety, low mood, stress, exam pressure, low self-esteem, friendship difficulties, social anxiety, bullying, emotional regulation difficulties, identity concerns, family difficulties, trauma, bereavement, autism, ADHD, and significant life changes.
Children and young people can develop confidence, resilience, emotional regulation, self-awareness, coping skills, communication skills, and healthier relationships.
What Happens During Sessions?
Sessions usually take place weekly at the same day and time where possible. Each session may include creative activities, discussion, reflection, and therapeutic support tailored to the child’s age, developmental stage, and individual needs.
For younger children, sessions are often more play-based and creative. For teenagers, sessions may involve a combination of discussion and creative expression depending on their preferences.
Why Choose Art Psychotherapy?
Art psychotherapy can be particularly helpful for children and young people who struggle to express themselves through words alone. While some children readily talk about their feelings, others communicate more comfortably through drawing, painting, storytelling, creative play, or other forms of artistic expression.
The creative process can help children and young people develop self-awareness, build confidence, improve emotional regulation, and process difficult experiences in a way that feels manageable and age-appropriate.
Art Therapy or Counselling?
Both counselling and art psychotherapy are effective forms of emotional support. The main difference is that art psychotherapy provides an additional, non-verbal way of exploring thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
Art therapy is not better than counselling, and counselling is not better than art therapy. They are simply different approaches. Some children benefit most from talking, whilst others engage more comfortably through creative activities. If you are unsure which service would be most appropriate, our team would be happy to discuss the options.
Fees
Sessions are charged at £95 per week.
Common Reasons for Referral
• Anxiety or worries
• Low mood
• Autism or ADHD
• Emotional regulation difficulties
• School anxiety or school refusal
• Friendship difficulties
• Bullying
• Bereavement
• Family separation or divorce
• Trauma or difficult life experiences
• Low self-esteem
• Behavioural difficulties
• Social and communication challenges