The Therapy of Art – The Art of Therapy Exhibition Opening
“The Therapy of Art – The Art of Therapy”
Thursday 16th January 2020, 5-7pm
Sometimes words can’t be used or found to describe thoughts and feelings, but the process involved in art making can help people deal with both mental and physical health difficulties that life throws at them. This exhibition brings together Brain Box – a collection of boxes that conveys each individual’s experience of living with Parkinson’s disease, along with several art psychotherapists – who use art making processes to help others that may struggle with communication to express themselves. Both of which, through the medium of art, share their experiences with you.
The opening offers a great opportunity to meet the artists and ask any questions you may have over drinks and nibbles.
In the main gallery:
Brain Box (exhibited in 2013) – this collection of 40 boxes was inspired and curated by Jan Sopher, who herself lives and deals with Parkinson’s disease. Each box reflects the creators experiences of this life changing illness, giving people an insight and raising awareness of Parkinson’s.
Art psychotherapists have both an understanding of art processes and are qualified therapists. They work with individuals and groups in residential and community settings, including schools, on hospital wards and in prisons.
Art Psychotherapists take the lead from the client. The approach is non directive and the client is encouraged to explore for themselves how making art can help.
The art psychotherapists work in a number of different clinical areas, including forensic, eating disorders, learning disability services, with children and adults and also in the psychosis service. Patients are referred for art psychotherapy by the members of the teams that the art psychotherapist is employed into.
Meet the art psychotherapists:
John Rogers – Private Sector (Specialist Psychological Trauma Psychotherapist)
Sandra Goody – LDCAMHS and CAMHS Teeswide service
Pat Hodgson – adult mental health, Stockton
Andy Walker – psychosis service, Durham, Darlington and Teesside
