Art psychotherapy for groups

Art Psychotherapy for groups offers a different opportunity for your group or organisation to engage in a therapeutic group intervention. In a safe, confidential and therapeutic setting, the group sessions offer members a space to create, reflect and share experiences with other members of the group who may be experiencing similar issues to themselves. The members of the group do not need to have previous experience or skill in Art. The art psychotherapist promotes a nonjudgmental environment where they is not concerned with making an interpretative or diagnostic assessment of the individual members art-making. Their overall aim is to enable and effect change and growth for the individual group members and the group as a whole.

In a group art psychotherapy session, individuals can express themselves creatively, verbally, authentically and spontaneously. The art psychotherapist provides members with a range of art-making materials such as craft materials, paint, clay etc with which they can engage in the art-making process. They then have the opportunity, if they so wish, to reflect on their process and product of their creativity with the art psychotherapist and the other members of the group. This can enable increased communication and social interaction within the group and can benefit better understanding, meaning and support for the individual members who may be experiencing similar issues to other members in the group. A supportive, shared group experience can help individuals to alleviate difficult and painful feelings, lead to emotional reparation and transformation for themselves and for other members of the group.

An art psychotherapy group session can be facilitated in two different ways. One, as an open studio session for a specific client group which is more casual and members can drop in or secondly as a closed group session for a specific client group where the same members attend every week and commit to the group process on an ongoing basis. Each has different benefits for its members. The group sessions can be provided for all age groups.

An organisation or service can commission an art psychotherapy group for a specific group or issue. If you are interested in setting up a group or tailoring an art psychotherapy group for your organisation, please contact Rebecca O’Connor or Anna Mulvihill.

Click here for further information on Art Psychotherapy.

Rebecca O’Connor facilitates The Creative Container, a self care workshop for healthcare professionals using creative reflective practice. If you are interested in a self care workshop for your organisation or service, it can be tailored to suit your group. Please contact Rebecca if you would like further information on The Creative Container or click on the link provided.

Our services for groups

To find out more about art psychotherapy for groups or you would like to organise a group booking please contact: