Art therapy is a wonderful investment in wellbeing. It can be also be a successful intervention for people living with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss and other health conditions. Toi Ako Manager, Lauren Hughes, holds a Masters in Creative Arts Therapy (Clinical) at Whitecliffe. She has experience working with adults and children, individuals and in-school groups.
If you are interested in booking individual sessions read our Frequently Asked Questions below and get in touch - [email protected] / 021 222 5682.
Enquire or book your individual session now. Phone 021 222 5682 or email [email protected]
We'd love to speak with you.
FAQs
What is Creative Arts Therapy? Creative Arts Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that can be used to help people feel better, process tough stuff and develop positive skills and behaviours. It is an holistic process attending to emotional, cognitive, physical and spiritual well-being. The creative art therapies utilise different materials (eg. creative writing, paint, clay, pastel, collage) and different artforms (eg. visual, craft, movement, play, nature-connected) as tools for change. The arts enable us to access our unconscious, sensory and embodied wisdom, as well as our cognitive intelligence, to gain insight and work through any difficulties we may be experiencing. Sessions are client centred and designed to work towards mutally agreed therapeutic aims. Clients don't need any artistic skill or experience to benefit from arts therapy. The focus is not on artistic excellence, but rather the client's experience of the art making process and what their art means to them. Learn more at our professional association - www.anzacata.org
What might I experience in a Creative Arts Therapy Session? We will open and close each session in a formal way that is appropriate to you eg a simple game, breathing exercise, poem or karakia. There will be time for you to talk, if you wish to, about what's important to you in that moment. Sometimes there are no words and that's ok. I will then invite you to begin an arts process. I will give you options throughout.If you like I can make art alongside you, or I can witness your process.The benefits of art therapy come through your own experience of the art making, and also through the relationship between client, therapist and the art.
How many sessions will I need? This will vary for everyone. We encourage a new client to try a minimum of 6 sessions.
Do you offer group sessions? There are many benefits to being 'in communitas' with others who share a similar experience to you. In Term 3 2022 I am only offering individual sessions in Te Kauwhata but I hope to offer group sessions later in the year.
How much does it cost? Creative Art Therapists in private practice charge rates comparable to other counsellors and psychotherapists. In New Zealand subsidies are available for some people via ACC, WINZ and I am hope. Our standard rates are $90 per hour. Thanks to Te Kauwhata Community House we have a limited number of funded sessions available each week to support the people of Te Kauwhata and Districts. Please get in touch to discuss further.