Fees/ Services

Children (Aged 5-11)

Art therapy can provide an essential support for those children who would not meet threshold for services such as CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service). As an early intervention, it can help reduce the escalation of some problems for children and their families by identifying issues that can potentially lead to a greater level of intervention into adolescence and beyond.

I have seen first-hand how the early years of school can be a very creative time for both boys and girls in their capacity to draw, paint and engage in metaphorical play. Their images or art forms help to communicate at a symbolic level many of the conflicts and anxieties that are difficult to put into words. These activities can also offer an important outlet for regression, and offer temporary relief from the stressors of growing up.

Children are usually referred by other adults – parents, school staff and other professionals, so it’s important that the child’s voice is captured and that they’re included in decisions about their support where possible. Upon meeting with parents/ carers, I may ask to meet with the child separately to explain what an art therapist does and why we might be meeting together.

Adolescents (Aged 11-18)

Adolescence is both a period of vulnerability and possibility as individuals are ‘trying on’ different roles and ways of being whilst being open to risk-taking and experimentation. It can also be an unstable time for those from difficult backgrounds where there is increased risk of emotional disorders.

In my experience, young people can be resistant to therapy if they believe that their feelings and experiences will be misunderstood, denied or oppositely ‘too much’ for someone else to handle. They may also worry about something they disclose being shared with others.

Art making can provide a non-threatening means of containing an adolescence’s underlying fantasies and feelings of being out of control , until they can be brought into the therapeutic relationship.

Issues that a young person may wish to talk about in these sessions include:

• Anxiety
• Depression/ Low Mood
• Anger
• Suicidal Ideation
• Self-Harm
• Disordered Eating
• Trauma/ Abuse
• Friendship/ Peer Issues/ Bullying
• Family Issues or Parental Relationships
• Sleeping Difficulties
• Academic Stress/ Exams
• Physical Health Issues
• Body Image
• Bereavement/ Loss
• Behavioural Changes
• Transitions

Young Adults (Aged 18-25)

Older individuals with pre-existing mental health issues can find it harder to access support if they’re no longer in education or living with family members. They may have previously benefitted from support in school or work with CAMHS, but have now aged out of these services.

Refine Art Psychotherapy offers a private means of supporting young adults with moderate to severe mental health problems who’ve struggled with the transition into adult mental health services or are ineligible for other forms of support due to their age.

Issues that a young adult may wish to talk about in these sessions include:

• Anxiety
• Depression/ Low Mood
• Anger
• Suicidal Ideation
• Self-Harm
• Disordered Eating
• Trauma/ Abuse
• Family Issues / Relationships
• Sleeping Difficulties
• Physical Health Issues
• Bereavement/ Loss
• Further or Higher Education (University)
• Employment/ Work Stress
• Loneliness/ Isolation