Art therapy is an established form of psychotherapy that uses art and art materials as its main form of communication, providing a safe space to explore any emotions or feelings that may be confusing or upsetting.
Art therapy can be helpful to those who might find it difficult to engage with talking based interventions (NHS England).
Your Art therapist will have had extensive training and will work with you to reflect on things in a confidential space.
Any artwork you create is stored confidentially throughout the duration of your therapy. You can take it home with you at the end of your therapy.
Art therapy uses a mixture of talking and artwork to help people with their problems.
You can talk with your Art Therapist about your personal problems, your artwork, your feelings and your thoughts. You will work with your therapist to think about what is happening to you, using the art you make and the art making process. This can sometimes be very moving or upsetting for a while.
Art therapy can help people of all ages and at all stages of life, including those whose lives have been affected by difficult personal or cultural experiences, illness and / or disability.
You don’t have to be good at art to benefit from art therapy.
Art therapy can take many forms, including, drawing, painting, clay work, collage and sculpture, so a wide range of materials are provided. Sessions are offered on an individual basis to suit you / your family. When making art, you can choose materials that best suit you.
Anyone who is referred to Art Therapy is offered a confidential space to be creative, build a trusting relationship with their therapist, to develop coping skills and work on increasing self-worth and self-esteem.
Art Therapists at St Luke’s Hospital
In the UK, all UK therapists must be state registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Stephen Giles is a trained Art Psychotherapist registered with HCPC and BAAT.
You can contact us using the Relay UK app. Textphone users will need to dial 18001 ahead of the number to be contacted.
Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is a smoke-free organisation. You are not permitted to smoke or in use e-cigarettes in any of the hospital buildings or grounds.
