Art Therapy
Art Therapy is a form of psychotherapy which offers a safe and therapeutic space for children to express themselves through creativity and play.
It is often easier for children to address difficult emotions through art and making rather than talking about them directly. Our qualified Art Therapists offer expert support to help children better understand and process their emotions and experiences.
This type of therapy offers: alternative ways of expressing difficult thoughts and feelings; relief from stress and anxiety; the development of confidence and communication skills; and it nurtures self-awareness and coping skills.
At Impact Arts, we have worked with many children to explore issues including but not limited to: trauma, bullying, challenging relationships, bereavement, abuse, parental incarceration, parental addiction, life transitions, anxiety, and neurodiversity.
Our team of skilled and qualified Art Therapists offer individual and group Art Therapy in locations across Central Scotland.
1:1 Art Therapy
Types of Art Therapy
Over a number of sessions, one of our Art Therapists works with the child in a safe and confidential setting to help them explore their emotions and any challenges they may be experiencing at home, in school, or with friends.
We support the child to find ways to express and communicate these feelings. It might be through engagement with sensory materials, making puppets that tell a story, or using drawings to articulate how they feel.
Family Approach
Types of Art Therapy
This approach to Art Therapy involves a child and their parent or caregiver in joint sessions, with a focus on strengthening their relationship through mutual understanding and the development of positive coping skills.
The Family Approach allows parents to better understand their own and their child’s social and emotional needs, building connection and communication through engagement in art making.
Therapeutic Group Work
Types of Art Therapy
Small groups of children experiencing similar issues are supported by an Art Therapist to build confidence, overcome social difficulties, and learn regulating strategies through a series of expressive art making sessions.
Peer relationships are nurtured in a fun, supportive, and non-stigmatising therapeutic environment.
How to source Art Therapy funding
For primary school pupils in Glasgow
We are Glasgow City Council’s dedicated primary school Art Therapy provider. Every primary school in Glasgow can access our service for their pupils through their Counselling in Educational Establishments funding. Glasgow schools can also access funding via Pupil Equity Funding and Care Experienced (CE) Funding.
If you’re a teacher or staff member in a Glasgow primary school that does not currently offer Art Therapy, get in touch today: arttherapy@impactarts.co.uk
How to source Art Therapy funding
For pupils in primary schools outside of Glasgow
Scottish schools outside of the Greater Glasgow area can access funding for Art Therapy through various frameworks. A framework is a pot of funding allocated to schools.
If you’re a teacher, take a look at the Framework Funds (linked below) to see which funding pots your school can access. Once you have identified a framework you can use, complete our Commissions Form (linked below) and we can provide you with a quote based on your needs.
How to source Art Therapy funding
For children in North Ayrshire
Impact Arts receives funding from the Corra Foundation and North Ayrshire Council’s Alcohol and Drug Partnership to deliver this service in the dedicated Art Therapy rooms at our Irvine location and within schools in the area. This funding allows us to provide free 1:1 Art Therapy, Family Work, and Therapeutic Group Work for children and families.
Whether you’re a teacher, social worker, parent, caregiver, or partner organisation in North Ayrshire, you can make a referral for a child you support.
How to source Art Therapy funding
For children and young people in other areas in Scotland
If the child or young person you support lives outside of Glasgow, outside of North Ayrshire, and their school doesn’t offer Art Therapy and/or they no longer attend school, there may still be other routes to funding. For example, these may include Self Directed Support (SDS) or Care Experienced Funding routes.
Please contact your local authority directly to discuss different funding options available in your area.
How to source funding for Art Therapy
Councils: Funding mainstream Art Therapy for children
Do you work in local government? Are you receiving a high volume of Art Therapy funding requests from teachers, parents, and social workers? Work with us! You can commission Impact Arts to provide mainstream Art Therapy in schools across your local authority area.
Meet our Art Therapists
Danielle Devin
Lead Art Therapist & Clinical Supervisor
