Individual Art Therapy Sessions
Individual sessions at The Dublin Creative Therapy Centre allow people to explore issues relevant to their personal development and process of change with the support and guidance of a fully qualified, experienced arts psychotherapist.
All sessions are catered to the individual who is actively involved in setting therapeutic goals. In many cases the initial stages of therapy you may be assisted in becoming comfortable with the artistic process, you need not make art if you don’t want to. Individual sessions are suitable for all age groups.
Each session is one hour long.
Individual sessions can address short-term issues or extend over a long period of time.
Sessions usually take place at The Dublin Creative Therapy Centre, but in cases where it is difficult for you to attend, we can come to you.
Group Art Therapy
At the Dublin Creative Therapy Centre we offer a range of therapeutic group processes and workshops. Group art therapy offers an integral component in personal development, in both ones ability to express oneself confidently and in listening and respecting others in a safe and confidential space, which is facilitated by one of our fully trained and qualified arts therapists.
Within art therapy groups, individuals come together in the same space to create art individually, or collaboratively in the creation a of a group image/sculpture. Members have to communicate, negotiate and compromise in coming to a consensus in creating something together. There is time for both art making and for members to discuss their art and their experience. Many participants find art therapy groups less threatening than verbal groups as the focus is on the art image and not on them. The intent of working in such a fashion is to experience group dynamics and gain insight, providing opportunities for active involvement, risk taking and unique self-expression.
Group art therapy has the potential to change our perceptions of who we are and gain greater insights into ourselves and our interactions with others.
Benefits of Group Work
- Self esteem/confidence
- Insight into interpersonal relationships
- Communication Skills
- Personal Development
- Social Skills
- Opportunities for sharing with those who have experienced similar
Please keep up to date on upcoming Group/Workshops at The Dublin Creative Therapy Centre and join our mailing list for updates.
Art Therapy with Children and Adolescents
All children are different, and while some may experience life as an adventure, others may find they have difficult feelings that they are struggling to talk about. Art therapy is an effective therapy that aims to help children and adolescents to address emotional and behavioural difficulties. The burden of emotional issues can affect all areas of a young person’s life including performance at school, social skills and interpersonal relationships. Art therapy can offer a safe space and a creative outlet for them to explore what is going on, helping to increase their self-acceptance and confidence, thus impacting positively upon other areas of their life.
Feelings can be expressed and explored at the child or teenager’s pace in a confidential setting. As the focus in an art therapy session is on the image, and not the child, it is a safe and non-threatening approach that helps them express and integrate difficult feelings without the need for words. In art therapy the child enters into a dynamic relationship with the therapist that helps them make sense of their difficult and painful experiences.
How Can Art Therapy Benefit My Child?
Art Therapy can be used to treat a range of emotional and behavioural issues in children and adolescents. It has been shown to be beneficial in the following ways:
- Encouraging expression of complex emotions
- Developing social skills
- Building self-concept and self-esteem
- Improving communication skills
- Developing insight
- Enhancing problem solving and decision-making skills
Art therapy can address specific issues such as anger, anxiety, confidence and self-esteem, eating disorders, self-harm, ADHD, attachment disorders, autism, trauma, bereavement and loss etc.
As art making is a non-verbal form of communication it is particularly suited, though not limited, to children who have difficulty articulating their feelings verbally, speech and language difficulties, social and communication disorders etc. Through the image created in art therapy the therapist can respond and reflect back to the child helping to address their emotional needs. Feeling acknowledged in their creative process and understood can help improve a young person’s self-acceptance, self-esteem and to gain a greater sense of control over difficult emotions and life situations.
There is a lovely coffee shop and restaurant called Wuff located across from the centre where parents/carers can enjoy a coffee or snack while their child is in session.