Creative Therapies
Art Therapy
Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses a mix of talking and art making. It is a non-directive approach that encourages young people to explore experience, thoughts and feelings at their own pace. Using art materials and image-making allows for safe exploration and builds tolerance for difficult feelings and experiences. Art Therapy practice draws on eclectic theories, but has a strong base in the psychodynamic, which means that unconscious processes that drive behaviour are considered and reflected upon.
Using art materials provides an opportunity to experiment safely, build self-knowledge and feel in control. Using creative materials can help process thoughts, regulate emotions and build tolerance for frustration and more difficult feelings. The resulting artworks can provide a bearable focus to promote reflection, to view the journey and to mark both continuity and change, helping to solidify a sense of identity and raise self-esteem.
Dramatherapy
Dramatherapy is a form of psychological therapy that combines theatre, performance and psychotherapy to help individuals explore and express their thoughts, feelings, and life experiences. Through creative techniques such as storytelling, movement, role play, body sculpture, and improvisation, it offers a safe and structured space for self-expression and emotional exploration.
This approach supports young people facing a wide range of challenges. It can be helpful when words alone are not enough, as it uses both verbal and non-verbal methods to support communication and emotional processing.
A key feature of Dramatherapy is the use of metaphor and performance to create therapeutic distance. Allows young people to approach difficult emotions and unmet needs in a way that feels less direct and more manageable, helping them to explore and process their experiences safely.
Grounded in psychodynamic and person-centred approaches, Dramatherapy enables individuals to access unconscious material, develop insight, and build emotional resilience. It encourages young people to view their experiences from new perspectives, fostering greater self-understanding and personal growth.