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What is
Art Psychotherapy?
When individuals find themselves in challenging or stagnant situations, verbal communication can often feel overwhelming or daunting.
Art therapy offers a solution by providing art materials that aid in expression, enabling clients to convey thoughts and emotions that words may struggle to capture effectively.
Art Therapists create a secure and nurturing space for individuals to explore their feelings through creative means. This therapeutic process facilitates the examination and processing of traumatic experiences, fostering self-awareness and personal growth. Through this visual medium, individuals can bring order to their internal turmoil and effectively reorganise their thoughts and emotions.
ART THERAPY WITH KALEIDO
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Art therapy combines creating art with talk therapy to improve your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. At Kaleido, our friendly and skilled art therapists guide you through this journey. We employ a range of approaches, including psychodynamic and psychoanalytic methods, as well as modern practices. These include humanistic, behavioural, and integrative techniques, among others. Essentially, we use art to help explore and discuss the thoughts and feelings you bring to therapy, making the process both engaging and supportive.
Art therapy is a form of art psychotherapy that explores and helps to understand individuals' behaviours, interactions, emotions, and relationships. This understanding supports personal change and insight in these areas. Rooted in psychoanalysis, art therapy draws inspiration from various psychological theories, including attachment-based psychotherapy, leading to the development of diverse person-centred methodologies.
Art therapy provides a welcoming space for creativity, emphasising meaning over aesthetics. No prior artistic experience is needed, allowing individuals to explore art materials, connect with others, and express feelings when words are inadequate
You do not need a specific reason to attend art therapy.
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What Can Art Therapy Do?
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It can provide a safe space for self-exploration and personal growth.
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It can help you navigate life's challenges and enhance your well-being and self-awareness.
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Art therapy offers a non-judgmental environment for expressing emotions and thoughts.
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It serves as a valuable resource for developing coping skills and resilience.
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What is not art therapy?
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Art therapy is distinct from an art class, as it focuses on the process of meaning-making and creation rather than the aesthetics of the finished product. It is not an art lesson or a recreational activity, and it does not require any prior art experience.
Is art therapy just for artistic types?
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No, art therapy is not limited to those who are good at art or consider themselves creative. It emphasises accessing creativity and imagination rather than artistic ability, helping to develop a more integrated sense of self.
Does art therapy lack a scientific basis?
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No, art therapy is supported by practice- and evidence-based research, establishing its effectiveness in various therapeutic settings.
Do art therapists interpret the artwork created in a session?
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No, art therapists do not focus on interpreting the artwork themselves; instead, they facilitate the process. Instead, they empower clients to reflect on their creative work, valuing the client's own reflections and the unique personal experiences they bring to the creative process.
Are art therapists registered with a governing body?
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Like nurses and psychologists, art therapists should be regulated by governing bodies to ensure public safety. This regulatory framework maintains a register of health and care professionals who meet the standards in training, professional skills, behaviour, and health. All Kaleido art therapists are registered with ANZACATA, the peak professional body representing creative arts therapists in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia/Pacific region. LEARN MORE
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Frequently Asked Questions about Art Therapy
Meet Annie
​Annie is a certified and registered art therapist and art psychotherapist, as well as the founder of Kaleido Art Psychotherapy.
​Click here for LinkedIn CV
Annie's registration is with ANZACATA.
ANZACATA is the peak professional body representing creative arts therapists in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia/Pacific region.
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About me
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My experience spans forensic, secure, mental health, and addiction settings in both the UK and Naarm (Melbourne). I have a deep understanding of trauma-informed care and risk assessment, and I've been committed to applying evidence-based practices. One of my joys has been promoting sustainable creative therapy programs in hospital environments. I've had the privilege of a decade of steady growth in art therapy supervision, and it's been such a rewarding journey.
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As someone who is neurodivergent and queer, I'm particularly passionate about advocating for cultural safety and equity. This personal experience fuels my dedication to creating spaces where everyone feels seen and supported..
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Approach and Values
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I work on the principle that each individual brings unique personal experiences and cultural influences to the creative process. I see my role as supporting you to feel empowered, discovering your meaning-making, and encouraging you to embrace your authentic self. I primarily follow a non-directive approach, allowing clients to guide the direction of the therapy sessions. The client drives the content of the therapy, facilitating the emergence of unconscious thoughts and emotions into consciousness.
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Regulation and Accreditation
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I am registered with ANZACATA and hold a Master's in Art Psychotherapy from Roehampton University, London, and a first-class honours degree in Fine Art from Aberystwyth University/School of Art.
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In the last few years, some extra training I have completed includes topics on; Trauma-informed care, The Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022, Family Violence, Neurodivergent Intersectionality, Cognition in Women's Mental Health: a focus on ADHD, Dadirri—Deep Listening with Ash Dargan, sexual safety in Mental Health Inpatient Units, Aboriginal cultural awareness training, DBT: A practical workshop covering key skills, mentalisation-based treatment, Cultural safety, diversity, and Inclusion in Mental Health Settings.