Art therapy brochure, J. Mably.

Art Therapy

Julian MablyMA Art Psychotherapy,

BA (hons) Fine Art.HCPC: AS14849

My background:Art therapy can be found helpful for

many. Sessions are delivered for groupor individual clients, with the support ofa qualied arts therapist. These can be adapted thematically or self motivated.

Clients who have found art therapy benecial include:

From a young age I felt a natural affinity for artmaterials and the private sanctuary it permitted.These images became a way of processing and

understanding my surroundings by constructing fanciful, alternative depictions of what I saw and felt.

This passion continued throughout school and lateruniversity where I studied fine art and illustration atdegree level in Bradford. My working method as a

practising artist, (and then employment) informed myimagery and a desire to explore the healing

possibility involved in making art. I later returned to university at Sheffield and graduated with an MA in

art psychotherapy in 2013. I feel it’s important to maintain a personal connection in making art and

continued throughout my youth and study. Regularly exhibiting nationally, with over 20 years experience

as a fine artist and commissioned illustrator.

Previously I have taught and facilitated a successfulart group for a range of learning and physical

disabilities that encouraged a person centered approach and inclusion of all. Since qualifying I

have provided sessions for group and individual referrals. Clients have included children, adolescents and adults. Issues addressed include emotional and mental health (depression, anger,

confidence and self-esteem, anxiety, trauma, suicidal thoughts, self harm, phobias and psychosis),

bereavement, autism spectrum condition, physical disabilities and substance misuse.

Contact details:

mobile: 07914426647email: [email protected]: julianmably.co.uk

Children -typically a healthy child will reach for art materials and engage. Art therapy canbe used for a range of issues affecting childrenlike; confidence, self-esteem, anger, self-harm, bullying, stress, anxiety, depression, bereavement, suicidal thoughts, sexual health,substance misuse etc...

Adults -can be used to help adults play and "let go" of difficult experiences or emotions. It can be used to educate and explore all of theabove issues.

Learning disabilities -can be used to inspire pride, confidence, relaxation and selfworth as well as explore situations directly orindirectly through metaphor and imagination.

Autism Spectrum and Asperger's -can encourage emotional relatedness and personal expression through imagery and accompaniment of art therapist.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) -trauma is the result of associated lifethreatening incidents relevant to the individual's assumption of threat. Trauma is very personaland can manifest and present in many ways. Art therapy can help explore, acknowledge and express these difficult feelings.

Mental Health -it is estimated that one in four suffer from a mental health issue annually (WHO). Art therapy can help explore and express these situations while encouraging self development and emotional health.

Dementia -reminisce and improve concentration while focusing on an activityor object.

Terminal illness -an outlet to express and reflect upon difficult emotions.

all text and design by J. Mably 2016©making art should remain enjoyable

too!

What is ArtTherapy?

Art therapy encourages communication andpersonal expression through the use of

differing art materials. While certain feelings can be difficult to put into words, through

making art these thoughts and experiences can be explored safely with the aid of a qualified art therapist. Sessions can be structured exercises or self motivated,

although all encourage the individual creative freedom of working method and imagination

of client.

No previous experience or believed artisticability is necessary as all work produced by

the client holds value relevant to theirindividual selection and interpretation ofsituation or exercise. I believe we are all

capable of working creatively; from painting a picture, cooking a meal, to choosing our

clothes, we independently converse and make choices. So the process of being involved in

any creative endeavour becomes a verypersonal experience filtered through the

creator’s history, emotion and taste. Makingart communicates a wealth of subjectivemarks as distinct and individual as verbal

dictation or a finger print. The art therapistprovides a safe, non judgemental environment

for these works to unfold and be explored together, confidentially.

Through making art and reflecting on the final

product and process with a registered artstherapist the client can increase self

awareness, awareness of others, coping withstress and traumatic experience; enhance

cognitive abilities while learning the healing, therapeutic potential of creating art.

“The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward experience."

Does an image have to be representational to hold value? If we wanted a “true”, surface

likeness we could capture with a camera. Arttherapy values your thoughts, depiction,

working method and preference. As client, youare the artist. So it becomes empowering to

take control and make those decisions. Ifoccasionally a little daunting! With the supportof a compassionate, patient art therapist you

can begin to contemplate how you wouldrender something you couldn’t see, like anexperience or emotion. This would evolvethrough very personal associations and

interpretations relevant to you, and you alone.So work produced will be unique to you. Art

therapy encourages your perception and (visual) voice to be heard.

A phrase I frequently hear is“...but I can’t draw!”

Aristotle

To become an art therapist you need apostgraduate qualification approved by the

British Association of Arts Therapists (BAAT).To apply for the MA in Art Psychotherapy you

need a degree in art or equivalent as artteacher. Other degrees considered relevant toenrol are psychology, nursing and social work.

Areas studied and undertaken includepsychodynamic theory, psychology, human

development, training placements, supervision,personal therapy, art theory and continuing artpractise. All art therapists are registered andmonitored by the Health Care ProfessionsCouncil (HCPC). Without such qualificationand registration it is illegal to claim affiliationwith title of, “art therapist”. For any further

information please refer to the BritishAssociation of Art Therapists (BAAT).

The focus is upon the individual within a safe, nonjudgemental environment, not the production of an“artistically correct” image.

It can be used as a non verbal communicationbetween client and therapist.

It can be used to help adults play and “let go”.Recapturing the ability to play can lead tocreativity and health.

It can be used as a means of self-expression andself-exploration. A picture can often be a moreprecise description of feelings than words. Or canbe used to depict experiences which are “hard toput into words”.

Using and discussing art can sometimes help an individual to release difficult feelings, e.g. anger and aggression, and can provide a safe, confidential and

acceptable way of dealing with unacceptable feelings.

The physical presence of the produced image makes it easier to develop discussion. These

can also be returned to at a later date for evaluation and discussion.

It can also be enjoyable! Leading to shared pleasures with the individual developing a

sense of their own identity and creativity. This can also increase confidence and self-worth.