Earth Art Therapy

Welcome

What is Art Therapy?

The British Association of Art Therapists describes Art Therapy as:

“a form of psychotherapy that uses art media as its primary mode of expression and communication. Within this context, art is not used as a diagnostic tool but as a medium to address emotional issues which may be confusing and distressing.”

Art Therapy theory is influenced by psychoanalysis and attachment-based psychotherapy, drawing upon the relationship and unconscious processes at play between client and therapist. Art Therapy is not an art class or recreational activity and can only be provided by a qualified Art Therapist.

Art Therapy can also incorporate other client focused approaches such as Mentalization and Psycho-education. The terms Art Therapy and Art Psychotherapy are used interchangeably.

Who is Art Therapy for?

Art Therapy can be for children, young people, adults and the elderly who may have a wide range of difficulties, disabilities or diagnoses. Art Therapy can take place individually or in groups, according to the needs and preferences of the client. No previous experience or knowledge of art making is needed in order to have Art Therapy.

What is Earth Art Therapy?

Earth Art Therapy is an earth conscious approach to Art Therapy, created by Vanessa Mallin in response to the climate & ecological emergency. While Earth Art Therapy is rooted in the same principles as Art Therapy described above, Earth Art Therapy also incorporates social & environmental justice theories and Ecopsychotherapy approaches. Rather than using conventional art materials, Earth Art Therapy uses materials that are earth sensitive, nature based and sustainable. Clients are encouraged to create and explore art materials without fear of being ‘wasteful’ or causing harm to others or the environment through the use of unethical, toxic or hazardous materials.

Thank you to the fabulous @bmyoungpeople for inviting me to run some Art Therapy workshops all about love at their event last Friday!

Shadow Work prep for tomorrow’s self-love & inner acceptance workshop at the British Museum!

‘Because Nature is the only true container for wildness it allows us to release our dark and feeling selves in ways that our culture would not otherwise allow.’

The high temperatures at the moment are alarming and bringing our feelings of fear, anger and despair to the forefront. There is a growing amount of advice available for those feeling anxious about the climate crisis but many of us still don’t know what to do about it. Should we work on self-care or seek professional emotional help? Should we reduce our own carbon footprint or throw ourselves into activism? Is there any point to any of this and what if it all feels too much to do?

There’s a lot of practical advice being shared at the moment about how to cope in the UK heatwave which is great to see. However, it’s also impacting peoples’ mental health and ringing alarm bells for those concerned about the climate crisis.

Some recent clay work/play: earth goddesses ready to paint.

Thoroughly enjoyed ‘Rooted Beings’ @wellcomecollection - it’s free and on until the end of August. Swipe to see some highlights.

We often speak about the concept of the container in therapy. We need to feel held, our feelings heard (and certainly not quelled) by our therapist. The therapy room forms a physical container, as does the art created in Art Therapy; our feelings are held by the page, the canvas, the table. To feel contained but not restricted requires non judgement, clear boundaries and an attuned therapist. The therapist must feel secure themselves, but who holds the therapist? Their supervisor, colleagues, accredited bodies. In Environmental Therapy nature is the ultimate acceptor, container and equaliser; both client and therapist are subject to the weather, the seasons, the cold and the warmth. The reassurance of the rising sun, the vulnerability of succumbing to the waves. Nature allows client and therapist to explore it all, together, contained without constraint.

Earth Art Therapy

Founded in 2018 by Vanessa Mallin.