Welcome.
I’m Kip (he/him or fae/faer).
I am an art psychotherapist based in Sussex, UK.
What is Art Therapy?
Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses art as the primary form of expression, alongside talking with an art therapist.
You might be suited to art psychotherapy if:
It is sometimes hard to find the words for your feelings
You gravitate towards sensory experiences
You are imaginative or creative (although you do not need to be ‘good’ at art!)
Talking alone feels pressured or ‘too much’
You are interested in exploring deep feelings at your pace
How does art psychotherapy work?
During art therapy, you are supported by an art therapist to use art to express and explore often complex thoughts and feelings through artmaking. This can be helpful because it can feel hard to find words for our feelings at first. In art, we often reveal deep feelings through what we have made, which we can then see and relate to.
You do not need to be ‘good’ at art or have experience in art to do art therapy! It may feel vulnerable to do something out of your comfort zone at first, but most clients find that this feeling fades as they build confidence in the process.
Art psychotherapy (and psychotherapy in general) can bring emotions to the surface, which sometimes can make people feel unsettled to begin with. Please communicate this with me and we will work on finding a pace that suits you. However, sticking with the process will help move through this feeling and in time people usually find that it changes and evolves into a more settled, safe feeling. I have been there myself when I began as a client in therapy, so I do not underestimate how big this can feel!
Art therapy is collaborative and relational. I will not analyse your work without your involvement.
You can be all of yourself in therapy with me; I will not judge you, just help you to explore your feelings and experiences. Some sessions may be emotionally intense or require feeling difficult feelings, whereas others may end up being humorous, playful or fun.
Have a Question?
Send me a message and I'll reply within 5 working days.