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What is art therapy ?
An internationally recognised and regulated profession, art therapy or art psychotherapy is a type of talk therapy that uses visual art-making to explore your thoughts, feelings and behaviours so you can gain better insights into yourself and others. The sessions are conducted in a safe, confidential and nurturing environment, supported by your trained therapist.
Art psychotherapy may help you to address issues and challenges in life and at work. Examples include self esteem, perfectionism, relationships issues, body confidence, personal or professional growth and life transition concerns. Art therapy may be helpful in promoting your physical, mental and emotional well-being.
Dian graduated in 2010 from the LASALLE College of the Arts with a Masters in Art Therapy. She spent 12 years as a senior Art Therapist in the Department of Psychology at the Singapore General Hospital. She is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, Trauma Informed Practice and Jungian Influenced Psychotherapy. Dian's psychotherapy style is integrative, strength-based and trauma-informed. She combines these approaches to help clients get to the heart of their needs and goals in therapy.
Benefits of art therapy?
There are times when we feel stuck, stagnant and lacking direction. Art therapy provides you with a holding space to explore and resolve inner conflicts and increase your resources for coping with change. The process of art therapy may promote increased self-awareness around issues and move you towards new meaning in life.
Other valuable benefits of art therapy include:
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Help identifying issues and concerns
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Understanding blockers of emotional expression
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Increasing your ability to communicate your feelings and needs
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Aiding personal growth
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Discovering and adopting healthy coping skills
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Exploring your creativity and imagination
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Nurturing self-esteem and confidence
Issues that Art Therapy may be able to help with:
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Anxiety
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Low mood
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Stress
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Compassion fatigue
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Relationship and intimacy issues
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Family issues
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Psychological challenges from sexual issues
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Life transitions issues (career change, motherhood, trailing spouse, empty nests
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Personal and professional growth and development
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Finding a meaningful life
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Body image issues / self-confidence
What do art therapy sessions look like?
Your art therapy sessions will be in a safe, private and comfortable setting.
The art therapy process begins with an assessment and goal setting phase where we discuss your issues, objectives, and our confidentiality agreement. The first session is a good time for you to get to know your therapist better and decide whether there is a good fit . Thereafter, depending on your needs, we might encourage you to create art spontaneously or give you a theme that to explore. Art making is followed by sharing and reflection, where we process your artwork and the experience of creating it.
In between sessions, your might be assigned home exercises such as art journaling, to complete in the privacy and comfort of your own home. You are encouraged to speak up when feeling uncomfortable with any aspect of the therapy at any point.
Progress depends on your commitment and level of participation. The frequency of sessions will depend on your needs and issues. The more you put into the therapy, the higher chance to achieve your goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I'm no good at art?
Anyone can engage in art therapy! No artistic skills are required, and it's not an art class. We will support you in exploring your own unique ways to connect and express your creativity, imagination and self.
Can you tell what my artwork is all about?
No, we are not equipped with mind reading abilities! Art therapists respect that everyone has their own stories, background, personality and individual ways to express themselves. Your artwork is uniquely you, and the art therapist's role is to help you reflect and find your own meaning through the art and the art making process.
What will happen to my artworks?
Confidentiality is critical in our work. Your art might express deep thoughts and feelings. Artwork created in the sessions will be kept safely and confidentially by your art therapist for the duration of your therapy. We will return all artworks to you on request or when your therapy ends.
Is an art therapist an art teacher?
Art therapists are mental health professionals trained at the masters degree level in psychological theories, clinical practice, human development and the healing properties of art. We are concerned with what your art expresses and the process of art making, not grading the standard of your work.
I am interested in art therapy
Please complete our Enquiry Form and we will contact you within 3 working days. Our art therapy fees starts at $215 for a 50 minutes session.
