Art Therapy

Welcome to Deep Root Arts

I am a qualified Art Psychotherapist in the UK and registered with the Health & Care Professions (HCPC) since 2020. I am also a member of the British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT) and the Black, African and Asian Therapy Network (BAATN) I have worked largely with Children, Young People and Families (in community and clinical settings) and with Women of Colour (in community settings). This work has been on a one-to-one basis, in group work, and working with parents and children together.

What is Art Therapy?

Art therapy is a type of psychotherapy, which encourages the use of art materials to explore issues or concerns that may be causing a person some distress. Art therapy promotes imaginative, playful and transformative thinking, whilst also being true and sensitive to the needs of the client.

As an evidence based practice, art therapy aims to support clients to reduce distress and improve social, emotional and mental health and develop self-compassion and promote agency. The therapist and the client work together with an art making process to help develop insights, encourage learning and foster growth over a period of time.

I aim to create a safe space for a person to access and engage in their own internal and external processes. Working with art materials to express our feelings opens up a depth of a language that we cannot always express verbally. There is no pre-requisite for you to be ‘good’ at art. I encourage an open minded and non-judgemental approach, being playful, imaginative thinking and a safe space to try things out.

What to expect

There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach, nor any overnight fixes! Deciding to take part in therapy is a courageous step and requires a set of conditions and commitment to move meaningfully through a process and to be open to a transformative process.

I offer a 20 minute free consultation for both you and I to see if we are a good fit to work together. I will also take you through an assessment process and contract, including agreements about confidentiality, data protection and safeguarding. We build in reviews and reflections in sessions, which last 1 hour each.

Time limited and open ended sessions can be explored, depending on the needs of the person exploring through therapy. I trained in a psychodynamic approach which allows for us to build a therapeutic exploration of a person’s unconscious experience and feelings. I keep a person-centred and trauma informed approach, encouraging and drawing on the clients’ own innate strengths and capacity to learn, grow and heal. I also draw on my transferable knowledge and skills from my arts practice and community development perspectives, if they support the clients’ process.

As a commitment to my practice, I take part in monthly one-to-one supervision and peer supervision group, where I may discuss parts of my work confidentially; this anchors and steers me. I work towards the ethical guidelines and principles of Art Psychotherapy Practice which is part of the Allied Health Professions.

I can offer individual in-person sessions in Bradford, West Yorkshire or on-line sessions (via secure Zoom link). Each session is 1 hour. I can support clients who speak English and Urdu.

Who I work with and what issues I can explore with you

Some of the issues I can explore with you: Transition and navigating change, Identity development, Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Grief and Loss, Artist development and wellbeing, Managing Emotions, Domestic Abuse and Trauma.

Currently, I am working with Adults (18+) and with Artists who are engaged in developing autobiographical work and narrative storytelling. This work can take place online or in-person (in Bradford/West Yorkshire). If you are an Artist or a group of Artists and have an idea of how this could support your process, I encourage you to build this time and cost into your funding bid, including wellbeing support. You are welcome to contact me to discuss this.

Costs

I encourage a conversation with honesty, respect, confidence and confidentiality about your circumstances in order to support you to access Art Therapy.

Please note: due to reduced capacity, I am not currently taking on any private practice clients at this time.