Art therapy allows clients to express themselves freely without judgment. Clients report feeling more confident and able to share their feelings. They feel safe, important, and able to let go of difficult emotions. The art therapist, Joanne Baker, has years of experience working with children, young people, and adults in various settings. Art therapy differs from art classes in that it focuses on the creative process rather than finished artwork. The goal is personal growth through using art materials and developing a trusting relationship with the therapist.

1. What art therapy clients say
‘I feel more confident now I can say what I
feel.’
‘When I first came to art therapy I felt like I
had to be perfect and it was just another
person to make happy so I tried to be very
artistic. I was very angry and silent. Now I
don’t need to try to please people all the
time.’
‘You get time for yourself, you feel safe,
important. You can have someone who
listens to you.’
‘I made a box for all my sad feelings to go
in and kept it safe in the room. I can let go
of things.’
‘I don’t blame myself for my parents
splitting up now.’
About the Art Therapist
Joanne Baker gained the post-graduate
qualification in Art Therapy in 2002 and
since then has worked in several
settings including adult art therapy
s e r v i c e s a n d P l a c e 2 B e , a n
organisation working in schools, and as
a freelance art therapist with children,
young people and adults. She is
registered with the Health and Care
Professions Council.
Joanne Baker
Art Therapist
HCPC registration: AS02200
Mob: 07954 689 348
Email: seen.felt@gmail.com
ART THERAPY WITH
YOUNG PEOPLE
A GUIDE FOR PARENTS AND
CARERS

2. WHAT IS ART THERAPY?
• The overall aim of art therapy is to
allow change and growth on a
personal level through using art
materials in a safe environment. It
takes place in groups or 1:1.
• Art therapy focuses on the three way
process between the use of art
materials and the relationship between
the therapist and the client.
• You don’t need to be skilled at art to
do art therapy and the art work is
not judged or interpreted by the art
therapist.
• Art therapy is not dependent on
spoken language and can be
particularly helpful to anyone who
finds it hard to express their thoughts
and feelings verbally.
!
• Art therapists work in close
partnership with parents and carers to
help gain insight into the young
person’s emotional world.
How is art therapy different
from an art class?
Art skills or projects are not taught as in an
art class and art work is not marked as a
teacher might. Although creative skills
may increase, the art therapist’s focus is
on exploring the art process and feelings
rather than achieving a polished art work.
Each art therapy session is taken at the
client’s pace and agenda with the therapist
following rather than leading.
Why it matters
Today’s young people face all kinds of
challenges; from gang culture, bullying,
bereavement and loss to challenging
home lives. Unless they are given the
means to cope, their feelings of sadness,
fear and anger can easily spill over in the
classroom, at home and in society.
Why Art Therapy?
Art therapy is fun! It also gives a safe
space for young people to work through
their challenges. Talking and doing
creative work helps them to make sense
of things.
Art therapy helps clients feel better about
themselves. When they leave art therapy
parents and teachers report that the young
person is happier, more confident, able to
make friends and can focus better in
class.
Young people find art therapy a helpful
way to share their worries, hopes and
feelings with someone they trust. It can
stop things building up inside their head
and getting worse. And it can help them
find new and helpful ways of thinking
about things.
!