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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: artflight@blueyonder.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 was a lecturer in Child Development for many years, working in the child care section of an F.E. College. The main thrust of my work was that of raising the students awareness of not only their own creativity, but also children's creativity, particularly the crucial and finite developement which takes place when children involve themselves in the arts. As an art therapist I have been involved with people in many settings such as daycare and community centres and schools. I have also successfully run an Introduction to Art Therapy group at City University for many years - here students come from many walks of life - such as teaching, social work, graphic designers, artists. Laterly my work is within schools working for Kids Company, an organisation primarily concerned in supporting children and young people who have very challenging lives. My website and my book Explore Yourself Through Art has enabled me to realise one of my ambitiions that is to take art therapy to a world wide audience to share the wonders of its process, and this indeed has had the desired effect.

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