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Art Therapy for Teams and Organisations

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"It is in playing and only in playing that the individual child or adult is able to be creative and use the whole personality, and it is only in being creative that the individual discovers the self." D.W. Winnicott, Playing and Reality

Creativity has the power to connect us to our fundamental humanity. The process of discovery and experimentation that takes place when we pick up a paintbrush, a lump of clay or a pencil can have a transformational effect on our central nervous system. Best of all, you don't need to identify as an artist to create! 

Why is art making so powerful? One reason is that it allows for opportunities to play. 

Play gets a bad wrap in our society, seen as an irrelevance, a bit of silliness that no reasonable adult would entertain. In actual fact playing as children and as adults can relieve stress, improve brain function, stimulate the mind and boost creativity, provide opportunities for connected experiences with loved ones, and boost energy and vitality. 

One of the things I love about being an art therapist, is that in sessions I can support clients to connect to this playful and creative part of themselves, fostering improved wellbeing and a dynamic approach to problem solving. The emotional interaction which can occur handling materials, making images and exploring the inner world together can also provide a rich and felt sense of being heard and connecting. 

In addition to art therapy being a powerful modality to support the individual, research shows that workplaces which integrate creative wellbeing interventions actively support their staff members to develop their ability to buffer emotional stress, find points of connection with each other and foster their creativity and innovation. 

Experiencing the joy of making in a non-judgemental experiential art group can have powerful impact. Just one study, conducted in 2016, showed that nursing staff taking part in a ten week arts intervention showed positive improvements in their 'general health and mental wellbeing' as well as reduced 'fatigue, awakening creativity and increasing sense of community at work.' The control group in this study did not show any improvements, whereas 93% of participants in the arts groups reported enjoyment, and 75% percent said they would continue to take part in creative activities in the future. (Karpavičiūtė and Macijuaskienė, 2016)

To explore working together therapeutically, please complete a referral form here and book in for a free consultation during which we can discuss your goals for therapy. 

 

If you are from an organisation and would like to explore options for a tailored workplace wellbeing programme, or group experiential, please book in for a free consultation so we can discuss your needs.

Elle Gilbertson is committed to inclusivity and welcomes people of all ethnicities, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, and people of all ages. 

The information on this website is for informational purposes and is not intended to replace medical or psychological assessment and treatment. 

Please note that I do not offer a crisis or emergency service. In such situations, if you are living in the UK I would recommend that you contact your GP during clinic hours, attend your local Accident & Emergency department, or dial 999 in an emergency. If you are from outside the UK please have a look on the befrienders website for crisis support in your country. www.samaritans.org. and www.befrienders.org

All images and content on this site are ©Elle Gilbertson 2020 -22 and may not be copied, published or used without permission. 

 

Elle Gilbertson is committed to inclusivity and welcomes people of all ethnicities, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, and people of all ages. 

The information on this website is for informational purposes and is not intended to replace medical or psychological assessment and treatment. 

Please note that I do not offer a crisis or emergency service. In such situations, if you are living in the UK I would recommend that you contact your GP during clinic hours, attend your local Accident & Emergency department, or dial 999 in an emergency. If you are from outside the UK please have a look on the befrienders website for crisis support in your country. www.samaritans.org. and www.befrienders.org

All images and content on this site are ©Elle Gilbertson 2020 -23 and may not be copied, published or used without permission. 

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