Arts Therapy (Creatively Expressed Feelings)

Arts Therapy Picture 2

Arts Therapies (Art Psychotherapy / Dramatherapy / Music Therapy) are postgraduate qualified psychological therapists who engage with arts activities aimed at promoting creative expression and understanding in the context of a therapeutic relationship.  Practitioners combine knowledge of their relevant art form (art, drama, music) with knowledge and practice of psychotherapeutic techniques which both contain and give meaning to service user experiences and communication.  Working with therapists who have expertise in the use of creative media offers service users opportunities to explore verbal and non-verbal material at different levels.

Arts Therapists work in the areas listed below
 

  • Mental Health
  • Learning Disabilities
  • Childrens Services

We work in partnership with:

Angus Council
Dundee City Council
Perth & Kinross Council

Referral to the Service(s)

Usually people are referred to arts therapists by their keyworker, their doctor or another member of the healthcare team, who feel it will be helpful.  The person making the referral will write to the arts therapist, saying why they think it would help, and the therapist will then arrange to meet them and discuss this.  People can also refer themselves but it is very important that their keyworker or doctor knows that this is happening.

The Assessment

An initial assessment usually consists of one or more sessions, during which the therapist will provide information about the form of treatment and the client will have the opportunity to use the available materials.  Whenever possible, the client and therapist will make a decision together about continuing the work.  They may also discuss the general aims of the therapy and the duration of their initial period of contact.  Where possible, decisions about the length of therapeutic contact will take into account the nature and severity of the individual's mental health condition, since it has been demonstrated that people with longer-term difficulties benefit significantly from longer-term therapy.  Levels of confidentiality will also be discussed.
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1926 - 2022