Phenomenological
A Phenomenological approach concentrates on listening and observing the client’s way of thinking about themselves and there ‘lived’ experience’. Working in this way your therapist looks at the experiences that you have lived through or currently living in. The view taken is that the client is the ‘expert’ of their personal experience. Using Art therapy modalities your therapist will guide you through themes to explore your experiences.
Psychodynamic
Psychodynamic art therapy, focuses on the unconscious processes as they are manifested in a person’s present behaviour. It is the goals of psychodynamic art therapy to bring self- awareness and understanding of the influence of past and present behaviour to the client. A psychodynamic approach evokes the importance of childhood and the relationships you have had with your caregivers, believing that these have shaped the personalities and behaviours that are occurring now.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a mental state of openness, awareness and focus which is achieved by pausing and paying attention to what is happening in the present moment. At Victoria Art Therapy we aim to guide the client into the present moment with an attitude of openness, curiosity and flexibility.
Person -Centred
Victoria Art Therapy highly recognises that the client and provider are equal partners in planning, developing and monitoring, so that needs are met. Working at a person -centred approach means taking in consideration your dignity, respect confidentiality and compassion while partaking in either the counselling or Art Therapy services.
Trauma informed Practice
Trauma informed practice is strength- based frameworks, grounded in an understanding of and responsiveness to trauma. The main focus surrounds the physical, psychological and emotional safety for everyone. This creates opportunities for the client to gain a sense of control and empowerment.
Positive Art Therapy
Positive art therapy is a combination of positive psychology with art therapy. The use of creative modalities, these two combined have the capacity to mobilise a client’s strengths, induce engagement, flow and positive emotions; transform perceptions and illuminate life purpose and meaning.
Acceptance and Commitment Art Therapy
Acceptance and commitment art therapy uses the creative process to invite people to open up to unpleasant feelings and promote learning through psychological flexibility. Its therapeutic effect is a positive spiral where feeling better leads to a better understanding of the truth.
A= Actively accept your experience
C= Connect with ‘values’ that give your life direction
T= Take immediate action to do what matters and commit to those goals that align with your values.
Narrative Art Therapy
Narrative art therapy is externalising internal thoughts and feelings through a story. This can be done through the visualisation of an image of individuals or the written or spoken word. The goal of this art approach is the integration of non -verbal implicit memories stored in the right hemisphere of the brain with the left hemisphere (verbal) to form explicit, reconstructed and coherent memories, therefore resulting in clearer narratives.