Why Online Art Therapy?
It’s An Exciting Way to Do Online Therapy!
Due to current coronavirus restrictions, all psychotherapists, Art Therapists and counsellors have now moved their practice online. So there are now lots of types of therapy you can choose from. Online Art Therapy is exciting because it adds a wider dimension. You get to express your feelings and experience through images, not just words. And it can be very calming and containing to work on something creative during your online therapy session.
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.
It’s Great for Creative People
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 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.
It’s Great if You Want to Connect to Your Creativity
If you’ve been out of touch with your creative side for many years, you might wonder how on earth to get in touch with that part of you. Online art therapy can help you connect to your creativity. In tandem with this, online art therapy aims to help you find ways to untangle muddled emotions and open up your feelings in a manageable, safe, grounded way.
Online Art Therapy Click To TweetFrequently Asked Questions About Online Art Therapy:
Q: How would I use the arts in online art therapy?
During your online session you may choose to use your own art materials such as crayons, pencils, pens, paints, play-dough, etc. In addition to that, we will probably come up with many images and metaphors as we talk. This 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 therapy is currently £70 per 50-minute session.
Q: Do you use Skype?
I usually use a video platform called Zoom.
Q: Do you work with clients anywhere in the world?
Most of my clients are in the UK, as I am. But I sometimes work with clients overseas too. I find that for me, online art therapy works better if you are a relatively fluent English speaker. Note: Due to State licensing restrictions, I do not work with clients in the USA or Canada.
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 suitable for anyone?
It depends on the therapist, and also on your circumstances. 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, active suicidal ideation, an addiction to substances or alcohol, or a chaotic lifestyle. Online therapy in general is not suitable for someone who is living with an abusive partner. I work with clients on a weekly basis (If you would like an ad-hoc arrangement, having sessions on an occasional or infrequent basis, I am not the right 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.
Ask About Working with Me in Online Art Therapy
Update: my practice is currently full and I am not accepting new clients at the moment.
Email me on espcameron[at]protonmail[dot]com and let me know something about what’s going on for you, and I’ll get back to you. We may be able to arrange a free 15-minute telephone or online consultation so that we can see whether working together might be a good fit. My page containing further information for new and existing online therapy clients can be accessed here.
Are You an Art Therapist Wanting to Work Online?
Check out my list of the most important things that art therapists need to know about providing online art therapy, ‘Can Art Therapists Work Online?’