Why seek out online art therapy counselling?

If you’re a writer, performer, or visual artist, you know that your creativity is central and vital to who you are. And if you are looking for online art therapy counselling you need a therapist who understands that. A therapist who can help you include your creativity and sensitivity as you work to get through the tough stuff you’re dealing with right now. I have sometimes been told by clients that they felt a previous therapist or counsellor didn’t “get” the creative, sensitive, imaginative part of them. Sometimes that made them feel that there were areas that the therapy couldn’t go.

You need a therapist who knows that your creativity is a fundamental, basic and valuable part of who you are. (And you need a therapist who knows that this is true even if you feel completely disconnected from your creativity at the moment.) But it may be hard to find a therapist near you who specialises in working with creative people. This is why I have expanded my practice to work using online art therapy counselling.

If you’re an imaginative, creative, and sensitive kind of person, what an asset that can be when it comes to connecting and integrating the different parts of yourself in therapy. Your creativity and imagination can help you find shortcuts (as well as fascinating and worthwhile detours!) on your path to self-understanding, transformation and growth.

Frequently asked questions about online art therapy counselling:

Q: What do you mean by ‘online’? 

Online art therapy counselling can take place via video, phone, live chat, or email. In video, phone, and live chat work, we work ‘in real time’ in a scheduled session; whereas email therapy is done by exchange of emails, usually around the same day each week.

Q: How do you use the arts in online art therapy counselling?

It’s important to know that in art psychotherapy, the most important healing element is actually the relationship between the two of us, therapist and client. Creative tools we use can include visualisation, therapeutic use of metaphors, and all sorts of creative psychotherapy techniques.

The way I work is that art materials are not normally used during the actual online session. But we will probably come up with many images and metaphors as we talk, as it is such a powerful way of communicating your experience, and your hopes for how you’ll grow and heal. You may also like to use art materials in between sessions, sparked by what comes up in the session. You may email me your images for us to discuss in the following session (or just hold them up to the camera!).

Q: I have heard that therapists offering online counselling or therapy should have specific training in working online; do you?

Yes. I have a Diploma in Online Therapy.

Q: How much does it cost?

My fee for online counselling is currently £65 per 50-minute session.

Q: Do you use Skype?

I usually use a video platform called Zoom which is similar to Skype and of high-quality.

Q: Do you work with clients anywhere in the world?

Due to State licensing restrictions, I do not work with clients in the USA or Canada. I also find that for me, online therapy works better if you are a fluent (or near-fluent) English speaker. It’s also important to consider time zones – I am in the UK, which is London time. I work daytimes only, not evenings or weekends.

Q: Do you work with children or young people?

I only work with clients over the age of 18 years.

Q: Is online art therapy counselling suitable for anyone?

Working online with me probably isn’t the best fit for your needs if you have a diagnosed mental health condition, a diagnosis of Personality Disorder, suicidal ideation, an addiction to substances or alcohol, or a chaotic lifestyle. If you would like an ad-hoc arrangement whereby we schedule sessions on an occasional or infrequent basis, I am probably not the best therapist for you. However, there may be another online therapist who is able to work with you if I cannot, so please don’t give up. See the ACTO website for a list of online therapists.

Would you like to find out more about working with me in online art therapy counselling?

Email me and let me know something about what’s going on for you, and I’ll get back to you. I will be happy to arrange a free 15-minute telephone or online consultation so that we can see whether this work would be a good fit. My page containing further information for new and existing online therapy clients can be accessed here.