Art Therapy Groups

WHY USE GROUPWORK?
1 - Much of social learning is done in groups: therefore groupwork provides a relevant context in which to practice.
2 - People with similar needs can provide mutual support for each other and help with mutual problem solving.
3 - Group members can learn from the feedback from other members.
4 - Group members can try new roles, from seeing how others react (role modelling), and can be supported and reinforced in this.
5 - Groupwork often brings up early family dynamics, which can then be examined and worked on.
6 - Groups can be catalysts for developing latent resources and abilities.
7 - Groups are more suitable for certain individuals, e.g. those who find the intimacy of individual work too intense.
8 - Groups can be more democratic, sharing power and responsibility.
9 - Some therapists/group workers find group work satisfying than individual work.
10 - Groups can be an economical way of using expertise to help several people at the same time.

WHY USE ART?
1 - It provides an activity that all can engage in. This is helpful for groups where some members find it difficult to talk, for whatever reason.
2 - It provides a way of equalising participation in a group: everyone can join in at the same time at their level.
3 - It is possible to include a wider range of people than in a verbal group.
4 - Participants see other members’ pictures (and in some groups comment on them), and this provides a different dimension from a purely verbal group.
5 - There is the possibility of using group interactive art exercises.
6 - Using art generates a lot of material and this often accelerates group processes and dynamics.

Reference:
Art Therapy for Groups,
A handbook of themes and exercises,
Second Edition 2004, p12,13
By Marian Liebmann

WHAT IS A CLOSED GROUP?
Closed Art Therapy groups (meaning no one new can join once the group has begun), where participants make a commitment to come regularly, to uphold each others' confidentiality and to address and explore specific goals through art-making and verbal sharing.

The group is for 8 participants and for a minimum of 12 weeks. Everyone will receive expert guidance and support as they navigate their personal journeys. Psychoeducation will be used to help participants to gather more knowledge of their mental health conditions.

WHAT IS PSYCHOEDUCATION?
Psychoeducation is a therapy intervention where the therapist provides people, and their relatives or friends, with information they need to understand and manage their condition or the difficulties they are experiencing. In the last few decades, Psychoeducation has emerged as an effective evidence-based practice in both clinical trials and community settings.

Through Psychoeducation we can learn more about ourselves, our physical and mental health, and psychological experiences. The aim is to increase understanding, knowledge and skills and through this, enable a person to live with more wellbeing and vitality. At its core, Psychoeducation is a learning process that teaches us we are not alone, our sense of safety can be built, and other people can be helpful.

Psychoeducation in Art Therapy can include:

Helping participants learn about how to make use of art therapy.
Communicating psychological ideas, knowledge and skills to individuals and groups.
Encouraging participants to apply these ideas, knowledge and skills to their own lives and show interest in the meanings and uses they make of them.
Learning from each other through the dialogue that takes place in the therapy as a result of the art-making process and reflecting on lived experiences.

Reference:
Psychoeducation in art therapy
InSight – Summer 2024
Joanna Stevens - Art therapist

COSTS
Free Assessment
Sessions: 1.5 hours - £20 per participant per session.
Group members are encouraged to stay in the group for at least 3 months and weekly attendance is important.

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST
If you are interested in being part of an Art Therapy closed group, please get in touch. Call me, Irene Malvezi, at 07715601222 or email at