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What is Art Therapy?

Art Therapy is a form of treatment using simple art materials. It combines the creative process and psychotherapy, facilitating self-exploration and understanding. Using imagery, colour and shape as part of this creative therapeutic process, thoughts and feelings can be expressed that would otherwise be difficult to articulate.

Art therapy is effective for people of any age. An art therapist works with individuals, couples, families or groups. I trained at Vancouver Art Therapy Institute in Canada. I have over 20 years experience and varied training in a range of modalities including Psychodrama, Interactional Drawing Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Transactional Analysis. I am currently in training in Yoga Therapy with the Svastha Yoga Therapy Training in Auckland. I have specialised in working with those struggling with Eating Disorders, Drug & Alcohol Issues, and survivors of Sexual Abuse. I currently work with those dealing trauma and families and people struggling with Depression and Anxiety.

If you have any questions about Art Therapy or my work or would like to book in to see me, please feel free to email.

You can also read more about what I do here:

Janie's Art Therapy blog archive

Mural of hope and dreams

Mural of hope and dreams

Art club and art sessions are held regularly during term time.

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Rainbow Dragon Breath

Rainbow Dragon Breath

A wonderful team of early child workers created a rainbow together and as a wise onlooker commented, "it looks like a dragon's breath". The team worked alongside each other and soon reminded each other of their individuality, innovation and creativity. All perfect qualities in early child care.

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Mask Making

Mask Making

Mask making on a template is a wonderful exercise for personal work and also great fun for young children. 

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Shield or not shield

Shield or not shield

This is a series of clay pieces that were made by a woman discovering who she is and how she wants to live in the face of cancer. In the piece above there is a tiny bead like shape which the artist sees as herself. Tiny in the existence of the rest of the clay. This piece is a clay protector shield like piece. It is heavy and the artist felt like it is an outdated piece of herself. She went home to work on a Feather like cloak to replace this aspect of herself.

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