All our Art Psychotherapists are full members of the British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT) and are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).  Registration with the HCPC demands high standards of education and clinical practice and ensures public protection.  All art psychotherapists complete a two or three-year Postgraduate Master’s degree, combining theoretical and experiential practice.

Integrative Child Psychotherapists are registered with the UKCP and undertake a four year deeply moving, very practical based course in which they experience a whole host of ways to engage a child or young person in a truly meaningful dialogue for profound personal change. Many placements take place within schools so that trainees have much opportunity to get to grips with both the challenges and benefits of working in such a sector.

Kennedy (2004) carried out an independent Systematic Review of research into the effectiveness of psychoanalytic psychotherapy for children and young people.

The research showed that child psychotherapy was effective in treating children and young people with:

• depression
• anxiety or behaviour disorders
• personality disorders
• learning difficulties
• eating disorders
• developmental issues

It was also found to be effective in helping:

• sexually abused girls
• children who have suffered early emotional deprivation
• children with poorly controlled diabetes manage their emotional responses to their illness.

In a systematic review and economic modelling of the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of art therapy among people with non-psychotic mental health disorders, Uttley et al (2015) reported that art therapy was associated with significant positive changes relative to the control group in mental health symptoms in 10 out of the 15 studies. The most relevant symptoms which were effectively targeted in these studies were depression, anxiety, low mood, trauma, distress, reduced quality of life, low coping skills and self-esteem. The benefits associated with art therapy included the development of relationships with the therapist and other group members, understanding the self/own illness/the future, gaining perspective, distraction, personal achievement, expression, relaxation and empowerment.

Utlley, L. et al (2015) Systematic review and economic modelling of the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of art therapy among people with non-psychotic mental health disorders   Health Technology Assessment Vol19 18 NHS.

When we don’t address difficulties early enough the cost to society is vast. £17 billion is the estimated amount spent in England and Wales each year addressing the damaging problems that affect children and young people such as mental health problems, unemployment and youth crime, which early intervention would help prevent (Chowdry and Oppenheim, 2015).