Category: Blog

Posted on

Art Therapy and Autism

Art Therapy and Autism

About Autism

Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neuro-developmental condition characterised by persistent problems in social communication, social-emotional reciprocity, and maintenance of relationships. As well as restricted patterns of behaviour and interests, with a high degree of rigidity to fixed routines and rituals. (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

Working with Autism

These difficulties can hamper close relationships, and over-compensatory rituals and routines can provide them with feelings of safety and reassurance. It makes sense that autistics find routine very reassuring, and autistic people can adapt to change if given support to prepare, so it is not just a sudden change that can make them feel overwhelmed.
Practitioners have advocated the importance of early intervention with environmental stimulation for developing cognitive flexibility and creative thinking, as autistic people may need help with sensory processing to help them balance and regulate environmental stimuli (Edwards, 2017).

Continue reading “Art Therapy and Autism”
Posted on

Art Therapy in Schools

Art Therapy in schools

Adapting to the demands of school is crucial for a child’s cognitive and emotional development, where it can help them develop resilience and adaptability to change. Research has shown that success in adapting to a new school, both socially and academically, can be crucial for future social and academic development.

Studies have shown that early intervention is crucial to help improve social and emotional development, thereby reducing behaviour problems, and improving academic success in later years (Docke & Perry, 2003, 2007)

Continue reading “Art Therapy in Schools”
Posted on

Art Therapy in Southbourne

Art Therapy room

Introducing our new space for expressive psychotherapy and art therapy in Southbourne, Bournemouth, Dorset, United Kingdom. This art therapy room is fully equipped with expressive art therapy, sand tray therapy, and play therapy materials. It is also suitable for clinical supervision, coaching, and verbal psychotherapy.

Continue reading “Art Therapy in Southbourne”
Posted on

Finding inspiration and solace in the landscape:

Solace in the landscape
Finding solace in the landscape

During these strange and difficult times, I am focusing on the themes of wellbeing and creativity, I thought I would post some words from a mindful creative writing activity I did for myself.

Poetry and writing down how one feels has always been very therapeutic and like making art it can also help to express and process feelings. It can also be quite whimsical and silly depending on your mood. You can also have fun trying to come up with flowery big words 🙂

Continue reading “Finding inspiration and solace in the landscape:”
Posted on

How Art Therapy can help with Anxiety by Andrew C Wright

Art Therapy for Anxiety
Art Therapy and Anxiety

During these challenging times, it seemed important to investigate how art therapy can help with anxiety.

In this article, I will give an insight into how the creative art making process can help with anxiety. I will outline some strategies to help anxiety and discuss whether colouring books are a useful tool for anxiety. I look at the process of art therapy and how it can enable us to express and explore emotions.

“For as long as I can remember I have suffered from a deep feeling of anxiety which I have tried to express in my art” Edvard Munch

Continue reading “How Art Therapy can help with Anxiety by Andrew C Wright”
Continue reading “How Art Therapy can help with Anxiety by Andrew C Wright”
Posted on

Art Therapy for Children with Trauma: Moving past developmental trauma and attachment difficulties through creativity and play

Art Therapy for Children with Trauma: Moving past developmental trauma and attachment difficulties

Impact of early relationship trauma for children

Most of us know about trauma as a response to a terrible event that can cause shock, flashbacks, and difficult emotions, with PTSD-like symptoms, but now we understand that trauma can relate to early relationship difficulties that can cause separation anxiety and emotional imbalance. These could be traumatic experiences in childhood, as well as difficulties such as family separation or divorce. This can impact a person’s ability to form bonds with others. This article explains how art therapy for children with trauma, can help with cognitive development and relationship building.

Continue reading “Art Therapy for Children with Trauma: Moving past developmental trauma and attachment difficulties through creativity and play”
Posted on

Introduction to Art Therapy: A Brief Guide By Andrew C Wright

What is Art Therapy? An Introduction

Introduction

Art Therapy is the use of the creative arts to express and reflect on emotional states with the guidance of an art therapist. It is effective as an approach due to the fact that it can help people express things that are difficult to talk about. It is also called Art Psychotherapy and is a well-developed profession in the UK and the US, being an approach that is used to help people of all ages.

Continue reading “Introduction to Art Therapy: A Brief Guide By Andrew C Wright”
Posted on

Providing Support for People with ASD with Emotional Wellbeing

Recently I have been undertaking research into how different psychological therapies can support people with ASD with their emotional wellbeing. As in the past, this has been overlooked, as there has been more of an emphasis on using behavioral modification approaches and undertaking research examing the ‘deficits’ of people with ASD.

Continue reading “Providing Support for People with ASD with Emotional Wellbeing”