“Working with art and objects made it much easier to see a situation from another perspective, maybe more objectively. I gained more insight than I could have through just talking.”

Will we be talking in arts psychotherapy or creative coaching?

Yes, certainly. My approach combines talking with creative, reflective techniques to help you tell your story, and connect to inner resources.

Do I have to be an artist or any good at art to benefit?

No, not at all. Working with the arts therapeutically can be for everyone, whatever age or background. The different art forms serve as creative vehicles, helping externalise inner experience, and give voice to different parts of ourselves. Art offers metaphors that give new perspectives to old problems and patterns. Most people are surprised by how much they enjoy the creative process and find it freeing.

Why choose arts psychotherapy or creative coaching?

It can be life changing. By externalising what’s inside, we can look at conflicts, life stories and parts of us in new ways. Alongside bringing new insight, awareness and perspective, arts psychotherapy or creative coaching can help tackle self-defeating patterns such as the inner critic at its root. When we connect with lost, forgotten, damaged or neglected parts, we often experience a greater sense of integration, meaning and purpose. Along the way, we also discover inner resources as well as hidden creative potentials. Our natural creativity can absolutely surprise us.

What happens in a typical session?

In arts psychotherapy, after an initial conversation around a theme/topic you bring in, I may suggest a relevant creative activity to expand and deepen this exploration. We could work using visual metaphor, selecting postcards or making a sand-tray; this is when you choose and place objects in sand to represent a particular theme, dynamics or parts of self. Or we might use intuitive image-making. Equally, you might bring a dream, or I’ll offer a myth or story that relates to themes. Afterwards, we’ll reflect together on what’s arisen, looking for insights and learning. Reflection is a vital part of the process. In some sessions, you may prefer to talk only, which is equally valid.

In creative coaching, we will follow more of a guided and focussed process, but I will still follow your lead, and offer tailored creative, reflective activities.

Will I have to draw? I feel really unconfident.

No. You don’t have to draw or make anything unless you feel like it. Right from the beginning, I’ll aim to help you build confidence in working with the arts in a gentle, natural way. I’m an integrative arts psychotherapist and creative facilitator, so I work across a variety of creative media; postcards, clay, sand tray, etc. If we do any visual art, it will be suggested from an intuitive artmaking perspective, as opposed to making anything that requires technical skill.

What does your arts therapy studio look like? What’s in it? Will I be intimidated?

We’re lucky to be based in a beautiful spacious, airy, creative, therapeutic arts space, Studio 34, with panoramic views over London. We’ve designed it especially to offer sanctuary and breathing space. There are comfy armchairs, beanbags if you prefer floor-work, and a big table if you’d like to work there. You’ll see we have a wonderful range of accessible arts and natural objects – postcards, magazines, drawing, paints, clay, textiles, wools, writing, sand-tray, books. Most people who walk in here say “wow’ when they enter, and don’t take long to feel at home.

What if I am an artist, writer, film-maker? Will arts psychotherapy work for me?

While you don’t have to be an artist to find art therapy transformative, many writers and artists do find arts psychotherapy enlivens their creative process, helping them find their authentic voice, and build confidence in expressing it. It can be liberating to let go of technique and explore individual creativity outside of external validation and the public stamp of approval. Arts psychotherapy and/or creative coaching also really helps with creative blocks and the inner critic, to help people connect with a deeper, more vital and authentic parts of themselves.

What is your own theoretical approach?

With 30 years experience, I integrate a variety of different approaches including humanistic, person-centred, Jungian, existential, attachment and transpersonal theories, as well drawing upon myth, film and art references. I’m a great believer in the human spirit, and one reason I work as an integrative arts psychotherapist and creative facilitator, is to offer a safe space for people to connect to their inner nature and resources, as an antidote to feeling ‘fated’ by difficult childhoods or life experiences. For me, therapy has a role to play in facilitating freedom, equality and social justice.

How does online arts psychotherapy work?

It can work really well. I’ll suggest a list of creative materials to have at hand, but equally we can work with what’s available, paper, pens, as well as your own objects around the house. All online sessions take place on Zoom Workplace Pro.

How many arts psychotherapy or creative coaching sessions will I need?

We’ll discuss this at the beginning. I offer both short-term and long-term therapy depending on the needs of my client. Research has shown twenty sessions is usually very effective. However, I’ve seen people make amazing use of less sessions too. It will depend on your goals and budget. I also recommend a review at six weeks, to see how we are progressing in the work. In creative coaching, I offer a six week learning programme.

How long does a session last? How do I contact you?

1-1 arts psychotherapy sessions, either in person or online, last 50 minutes. What I recommend is us having a brief chat first on the phone or Zoom, so I can hear what kind of support you are after, and get a sense of your goals. That way, you can also ask me questions too. If you then decide to continue, I recommend booking a first session so you can decide whether my approach works for you.

What is the usual structure for 1-1 arts psychotherapy sessions?

Research has shown that the best outcomes in therapy happen when there is regular weekly attendance. For endings, it’s important to leave enough time to review our work together. Ideally in long-term work, this would be at least 3-4 sessions. When it comes to taking breaks or holidays, the more notice we can give each other, the better. I usually take my breaks around half-term holidays, Christmas, Easter and Summer, and will inform you of dates well in advance. I’m afraid that I’m unable to hold client places for long breaks, (e.g., 3 weeks) outside of the usual holiday times.

Any further questions, or to arrange a free 30 minute telephone/Zoom call first, please email me on:  pia@silverowlartstherapy.com.