Art Therapy Groups in Bournemouth
We deliver Art Therapy groups in Bournemouth for vulnerable children and young people who may have SEN, be neurodivergent or experiencing anxiety. Our current group is for CYP who are unable to attend school full-time. Anyone can refer with the client’s consent (see below).
NEXT GROUP:
Fridays for 12 weeks, starting 8th November. 2-3.30pm at The DCF Windmill Wellness Centre, The Sovereign Centre Boscombe.
What is an Art Therapy Group?
Art Therapy is the process of creating art with the guidance and support of a professional art therapist and is a type of psychotherapy. Through the process of making art, young people can explore their inner world, develop greater self-awareness, express thoughts and feelings, access creativity and self-esteem, and better cope with stress. The opportunity to fully explore unconscious and conscious feelings using art materials in place of the pressure to communicate verbally provides an unique freedom. Art Therapy is proven to be effective in treating depression, anxiety, trauma, bereavement, mental health diagnoses, as well as difficulties related to learning or physical disabilities, neurological conditions and physical illnesses. Working within a group has the added benefits of providing opportunities for connection and group problem-solving, allowing clients to understand their part in the group and develop their relationships within it. The group is supported by a volunteer art therapy group assistant.
Who are the groups for?
Our current group is for anyone aged 13-18 yrs old in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area who is not attending school. The group is run by an experienced Art Psychotherapist. We hope to start the group on Friday 8th November, 2-30pm.The venue is within The Sovereign Centre, Boscombe and the space has been kindly provided by The Dorset Children’s Foundation.
What will we do?
We’ll spend time together thinking/talking about any difficulties we’re facing, making art about those feelings.
We spend the first ten minutes checking in – asking how the week has been, discussing any difficulties. Then, we spend 15 minutes making art based on creative and sensory self-regulation. An example could be bilateral drawing – a technique that uses both hands and both hemispheres of the brain, having a calming effect on the brain and body. After that, we spend an hour art-making either individually or as a group. A prompt will always be offered, in case clients struggle to ‘get started’ or find it difficult to work intuitively. An example of a prompt might be ‘draw the view you’d like to see outside your window’, which is a useful exercise in thinking about change and the future.
We then re-group at the end to talk about our artwork (if we want to).
How does an Art Therapy Group help me?
Art Therapy is effective in supporting people who might struggle with traditional talking therapy. Working in a group has the advantage of feeling part of a collective system with others who may be experiencing similar challenges.
How long is a session?
Each session lasts 1.5 hours
How many sessions are there?
We run 12-week blocks during term-time.
What does it cost?
The sessions are £32 each (total £384). We are continuously fundraising to discount this fee. If cost is a barrier to attendance, please contact us.
If you’d like to get involved in fundraising for this group, please see below.
How do I refer?
Please see link below
Sue (Lead Art Psychotherapist) will then call you to discuss the referral and book an initial online consultation
Untapped is committed to reducing youth suicide and self-harm in the Bournemouth area. We specialise in supporting children/young people who are neurodivergent and who have experienced trauma. Your donation will make a huge difference, Thank-you!
