Welcome to Vicky Barber’s
Art Therapy Home Page!

This page will hopefully answer some questions you may have about Art Therapy, what exactly it is and who may be able to benefit from it. If you have any specific questions, I will be happy to answer them for you. I can be contacted by email at: vicky@vickyb.demon.co.uk

What is Art Therapy?

At some point in their lives, people may find themselves overwhelmed by the intensity of their emotions which are difficult to face either by themselves or with others. Art therapy offers an opportunity to explore these intense or painful thoughts and feelings in a supportive environment. It involves using a wide variety of art materials, for example paints, clay and batik, to create a visual representation of thought and feelings. Art Therapy can be an individual activity but is often used very successfully in group situations.

Who is it for?

It’s for everybody.

For managers and staff under pressure

For people who are generally stressed and overworked

For people with mental health problems

For people with severe learning difficulties

For children and young people who have problems conforming
in school and with personal problems at home

For people who feel they are problem free but would like
the opportunity to explore issues within themselves

What skills do you need?

The simple answer is none. Art therapy requires no artistic ability. The Art Therapist offers guidance and support and the opportunity to explore issues of concern using a variety of art materials.

Why invest in Art Therapy?

As an individual, on a personal level it could be used as a means of exploring inner issues. It is a safe way to express strong and sometimes sensitive or destructive feelings. It can be used for stress and anxiety management. To enhance communication between individuals, groups or professional teams. It is used to explore change. It is of particular benefit to people experiencing difficulties with written and verbal communication.
As a professional manager of vulnerable people in the community, Art Therapy could be used to instil confidence and promote life enhancing change in the people for which you have responsibility.

Some clients views on Art Therapy

"It’s not about being an artist, it’s about using visual symbols to explore feeling and emotions.....it’s about seeing feelings, making them visible to yourself".

"There’s a beauty that is free to grow, an expression that can be extended, a space that is fun, safe and good to be in, that’s art therapy".

"It is the process that is important, not the product".

"I’m interested to see how my mind works - that part of my mind I’m not conscious of."

About Vicky

I have recently taken early retirement from my job as a college lecturer in Further Education. My role within the college was that of a creative arts lecturer and Art Therapist. I worked in the child care section and my main focus was to raise students’ awareness of not only the product but more importantly the process of creativity and the crucial and finite development which takes place when the children involve themselves in the arts. Our students were continually on placement within nurseries and schools and part of my job was to enable them to develop skills and ideas so they in turn would be better equipped to interact with the children. As an Art Therapist, I ran groups in the community, in a day care centre and within the college, working with a variety of people including carers, teachers, social workers, artists, people with severe mental health problems and people with severe learning difficulties. The outcome of this work was an extremely successful annual exhibition of all the work generated by all these groups. Currently I run individual art therapy sessions in a primary school with children who have behavioural problems, as well as private family sessions.

	for some examples of group therapy
	for examples of the different artistic methods which can be used
	for information about Art Therapy exhibitions

All text and pictures have been reproduced with the consent of the participants

Welcome to Vicky Barber’s Art Therapy Home Page!