Courageous Hope Art Therapy

06/08/2026

🎨 Art is more than something we admire – it can help us heal.

Research continues to show that creativity has a powerful impact on our health and wellbeing. Whether it's painting, drawing, sculpting, music, dance, or simply making something with your hands, creative activities can help reduce stress, regulate emotions, improve resilience, and support both mental and physical health.

One of the key messages from Art Cure: The Science of How the Arts Transform Our Health is that you don't need to be "good" at art to experience its benefits. It's the process of creating—not the finished product—that helps our brains and bodies.

This is exactly why art therapy is so valuable. It provides a safe, supportive space where people can express thoughts and feelings that may be difficult to put into words, explore challenges, and discover new ways of coping and growing.

04/07/2026

I will be training in EMDR in September and taking on clients wanting to experience this alongside art therapy. Get in touch for more details and a free consultation.

"When EMDR meets art therapy, these two approaches are combined to create a powerful, integrative method for trauma recovery."

Art psychotherapist Bethan Baëz-Devine and mental health nurse Nicola Ball explain what happens what art therapy meets Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) in our latest issue of InSight.

🔗 Read more: https://baat.org/publications/insight/summer-2026-nhs-special/art-therapy-meets-emdr/

04/07/2026

"Art therapists can gather subtle, complex information that may not otherwise be accessible."⁠
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In this Spotlight article, Tiffany Arnold tells us about her work in the NHS, in child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS).
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Read the full article in our NHS special edition of InSight: https://baat.org/publications/insight/summer-2026-nhs-special/working-as-an-art-therapist-camhs/
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05/06/2026

🦋 Building Confidence Through Art 🦋

Today in art therapy, we created this beautiful butterfly using painting and collage techniques. Art making is a wonderful way to build self-esteem, confidence, and creativity while learning new skills.

Some of the benefits of art therapy include: ✨ Improving self-confidence through creative achievement
✨ Learning new artistic skills and techniques
✨ Encouraging self-expression and communication
✨ Reducing stress and promoting relaxation
✨ Developing focus, patience, and problem-solving skills
✨ Providing a sense of pride and accomplishment

The butterfly symbolizes growth, change, and transformation—reminding us that we can all spread our wings, learn, and grow through creativity.

The child said she was proud of this artwork and the skills developed throughout the creative process. Every piece of art is a step forward in building confidence and discovering new strengths. 💙🦋💗

24/05/2026

One of the questions I’m often asked is: “How long will I need therapy?”

The honest answer is — it varies.

Therapy is not usually a quick fix. Some people come to therapy wanting support with a specific issue such as anxiety, panic attacks, or coping strategies for difficult moments. Learning tools to manage symptoms can happen relatively quickly for some.

But often, as therapy progresses, we begin to explore the underlying factors behind those feelings and experiences — where they may have come from, patterns that have developed over time, and the impact they continue to have. This deeper work naturally takes more time.

The length of therapy can depend on many things:
• The level of support needed
• The goals you want to work towards
• Your readiness and awareness
• What comes up during the process

Therapy is a space to understand yourself more fully, not just to “fix” symptoms. Healing and growth are personal journeys, and there is no one-size-fits-all timeline.

If you’re thinking about therapy, I’d encourage you to try. Be open to the process and work alongside your therapist — the relationship and trust built together are an important part of the work.

I also understand that cost is something many people have to consider, and this will always be taken into account where possible. But your mental health matters and is worth investing in. We wouldn’t ignore ongoing physical health concerns and hope they disappear on their own, so try not to ignore your emotional and mental wellbeing either.

Mind and body are deeply connected, and often what affects one will affect the other. Looking after your mental health is just as important as looking after your physical health.

24/05/2026

I shouldn’t have to pay for counselling is something I hear often.

On the one hand I agree, we have an NHS service that offers care for both our physical and mental health, and counselling should therefore be free on the NHS, and it is.

Unfortunately like many areas of the NHS there are huge waiting lists and limited offerings, so private counselling may be a good alternative for those seeking help

I also feel that counselling is a major way to improve your well being and for some investing in that wellbeing is similar to going to the gym, attending exercise classes or having a massage, all things we are happy to pay for.

The cost of counselling can often be a reason people don’t take the step they feel they need to.

Yet by the end of counselling most of my clients agree it was an investment in themselves that was well worth it.

Counselling is an investment not just for now, but for the rest of your life, that investment now will have ongoing benefits for you.

What cost do you put on being able to change your life for ever?

Counselling is much more than a financial investment

This investment can change your outlook on life, your interactions with others and how you cope with life events.

Very often mental health problems can lead to dependancy on drugs or alcohol, having to take time off work or marriage breakdowns.

The cost of these is high, in a damaging way, both emotionally and financially.

Counselling is a positive investment that can help prevent other costly life events

I’m not saying paid counselling is a substitute for NHS counselling, but it is an investment in you and if you are able to find a counsellor that offers you a seevice within your budget, it will be a great investment for you.

14/05/2026

Exciting news — I’ll be starting training in EMDR this September.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a therapeutic approach designed to help people process difficult experiences and reduce the emotional impact of trauma, anxiety, distressing memories, low self-esteem, phobias, and other overwhelming experiences.

There is a growing body of evidence showing EMDR to be a highly effective therapy for helping people become “unstuck” from negative thought patterns, past incidents, and traumatic experiences that can continue to affect day-to-day life long after they have happened. EMDR helps the brain reprocess these experiences so they feel less overwhelming, distressing, or emotionally charged.

It is an evidence-based therapy used with both adults and young people and can support people in moving forward when talking therapies alone may have felt difficult or limited.

As part of my training, I’ll be looking for a small number of clients to work with at a reduced rate while completing the course requirements.

If you would like more information, or may be interested in working together, please feel free to get in touch privately.

08/05/2026

06/05/2026

Sometimes people wonder why therapy is helpful when they already have supportive friends and family.

The truth is — both are incredibly valuable, but they serve different purposes.

Friends often offer comfort, reassurance, shared experiences, laughter, distraction, and a reminder that we’re not alone. Those connections matter deeply.

Therapy creates something different: a confidential space to explore patterns, attachment dynamics, identity, boundaries, trauma, emotions, and coping strategies with intention and professional support.

Neither replaces the other. Healthy support systems and therapy can work beautifully alongside each other.

I loved this visual representation of the difference between support and therapeutic work 🌱

Image credit:

05/05/2026

In art therapy, one creative intervention I often use with both children and adults is called “My Happy Place.” 🌿

This gentle exercise invites people to paint or draw a place where they feel calm, safe, comforted, or free. For some, it’s a real memory; for others, it becomes an imagined space created entirely through colour and creativity.

This forest painting was created during a session exploring feelings of safety, quiet, and emotional escape. The layered greens, repeated trees, and sheltered pathways created a strong sense of protection and calm.

Art therapy offers a different way of expressing thoughts and emotions that can sometimes feel difficult to explain verbally. Through images, colour, movement, and symbolism, experiences can be explored safely and without pressure.

A “happy place” image can become:
🌱 a grounding tool during stress or anxiety
🌱 a visual reminder of safety and calm
🌱 a way to reconnect with imagination and self-expression
🌱 a starting point for reflection and conversation
🌱 a supportive emotional regulation tool for both adults and children

You do not need to be “good at art” to benefit from art therapy. Sometimes the process of creating is far more important than the finished picture. 🎨