What is Art Therapy?

Every person can benefit from Art Therapy. Even if you are do not currently view yourself as creative, I am very confident that after a few Art Therapy sessions that will soon change!

Whilst I highly doubt that is true, I want you to know that Art Therapy is less about an end result and more about the journey and process of art-making. Whilst you are making art, I will support you to reflect on what you are learning and experiencing whilst making the art and how this relates to your life. Art Therapy can be a powerful tool to discover your inner world and understand yourself better. 

Art classes and Art Therapy offer different benefits. An Art Class or structured Art Group can be amazingly beneficial for your mental health. Where Art Therapy is different is that Art Therapists use techniques specifically designed to promote deep exploration into your own values, goals, perspectives and understandings of yourself using art. Art Therapy empowers you to delve deeper in your own identity and mental health journey. I also offer sliding scale payment options and payment plans for group sessions. Please reach out to discuss your individual needs and how I can support you. 

Art Therapy can be particularly beneficial for children and young people who can struggle to find words to describe their inner world. Making art can provide an alternative communication tool and coping strategies for children and young people, particularly those living with ADHD, Autism and AuDHD. Craft your Response supports children and young people ages 9+ who may identify with or may be curious about if they are part of the LGBTQIA+ community. 

Art Therapists use the art as a partner in the therapeutic relationship. Think of it as you, me and the art having a collaborative conversation about what's going on for you. The art is a vehicle to the conversation and can allow for you to discover things about yourself that just don't always come up with talk therapy alone. Art Therapy can also support you to explore traumatic experiences in a safe and grounded way that allows you to stay in your body. Art Therapy can be a wonderful compliment to talking therapies or an alternative for people who are feeling a tad disillusioned with conventional therapy modalities. 

Definitely not! And I wouldn't dream of trying. It is a common misconception that Art Therapists interpret their clients art. Instead we offer ways of engaging with and discussing your art that empower you to interpret its meaning and how it applies to your own life experiences. 

Craft your Response is owned and operated by me, JD (they/them). I am a transgender and pansexual gender-punk who is honestly starting to question if I may be on the demi-sexual spectrum too? I am a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community and have frequently exhibited art exploring themes of queerness. In my work in the mental health, disability and youth sectors, I have worked closely with LGBTQIA+ clients, especially transgender young people. I have also supported clients navigating the joys and challenges of polyamory and their own relationship to the kink scene.

Craft your Response recognises that your relationship to sex and sexuality are an important piece of the puzzle in your general health and wellbeing, Craft your Response is proudly sex positive, kink friendly and polyamory friendly. We support clients of all sexual orientations and relationship constellations, including aromantic, asexual, and aroace individuals. We will be lead by you about how and when and whether or not you would like to talk about sex!