Art Therapy with T
Welcome to a safe space based in Edinburgh providing Art psychotherapy sessions, offered both in-person and online for children, young people and adults.
Book an AppointmentArt Therapy with T
Welcome to a safe space based in Edinburgh providing Art psychotherapy sessions, offered both in-person and online for children, young people and adults.
Hi, I'm Tara.
(they/them)
I'm T and I am a proud AuDHD, non-binary, bi and polyamorous Art therapist.
I believe in the power of lived experience to inform best clinical practice. Even more importantly, working with therapists, who intentionally acknowledge and dismantle power dynamics in their work.
I want all clients I work alongside to feel respected, affirmed and celebrated for who they are because healing happens in community with others.
What to expect
The practice offers a comforting and inviting environment crafted to ensure your ease and relaxation while you navigate your emotions and difficulties. The room boasts tasteful décor in soothing hues, accompanied by snug furnishings like a plush sofa and a pair of chairs. Thoughtfully arranged to foster privacy and confidentiality, the windows are shielded by blinds, guaranteeing complete seclusion.
How we could work together
Come to meet with me in person in my therapy room based in Leith.
Sessions last for an hour and through therapy you can utilise and explore different art mediums such as clay, paint, ink, and mess making.
Meet with me virtually on teams in the comfort of your own space.
Sessions last for an hour and we can utilize materials you may have at home in our work together.
Rather than open ended therapy, you may be interested in focusing on a specific difficulty within a shortened time frame.
Please contact me to explore this further.
Reach out if you are a professional working with a young person.
This might be for me to give input about care plans or support to make sure your approach is as affirming and effective as it can be.
You may be looking for more practical based support for your child/young person around specific challenges. This might include connecting you to the right networks alongside reducing challenges with school, sleep, friendships, regulation emotions. This type of work is more geared towards how we can support each other as a team for you to implement strategies at home, rather than ongoing therapeutic support.
“I sat with my anger long enough, until she told me her real name was grief.”
- C. S. Lewis
Here are a few of my
qualifications and credentials
Qualifications
- MSc in Art psychotherapy
- PGcert in Counselling using the Arts
- ISVA accreditation
- MSc in CBT
- BA Hons, Abuse studies
Professional Bodies & Associations
- British Association for Art therapy (BAAT)
- Health and care professional council (HCPC)
- Therapists against conversion therapy and
transphobia (TACTT) - International cultic studies association (ICSA)
Specialisms
LGBTQIA+ client affirming support
For children, young people, families and adults.
Neurodivergent focused support
For CYP, Families and adults including Autism, ADHD, FASD, LD+
Complex trauma support
For Children, young people and young adults (including abuse experiences and pre-trial therapy)
Ex cult/high demand group members
For CYP and adults, following experiences of spiritual and ritual abuse
Jewish Community
My practice is informed on antisemitism and is a safe space for jews.
Hear from past experiences
Read how art therapy has made a difference in some of my clients’ lives, fostering self-discovery, healing, and growth through creativity.
*Please note pseudonyms have been used in this section to maintain confidentiality.
"What a pleasure it has been to work with you, it's always a joy to find people that you feel comfortable with and seen by."
Professional
"Thank you for always being here and making me 1000x stronger, I've loved working with you."
Cleo (13)
"I would like to thank you very much for the long journey that you accompanied me in, which allowed me to take small steps in the difficult everyday life after the loss of the person I loved dearly. In the past I was skeptical about therapy, now I have a different opinion, thanks to you my mental health has improved significantly."
Zofia (43)
"Thank you so much for all your incredible work with my son, You've been a critical person in helping him navigate a difficult time and we are forever grateful for your professionals, dedication and kindness".
Wiktoria (parent) of CYP Jason (9)
"It's so mind-blowing how one individual can really alt your perception and turn a negative chapter into something so peculiar in such a short span of time in an entire life ahead. I didn't even realize Tara, all the lessons you taught me and that I've accomplished... overall out of all the people I've worked with your approach has by far been the best. I hope I turn out to be just as good as you are when I'm older and in position to help other struggling young people."
Aurora (15)
*Please note pseudonyms have been used in this section to maintain confidentiality.
Some common questions
- Who do you work with?
In person -
I work with CYP ages 7-23 for in person sessions in Edinburgh.
For adults there is an age boundary of 45+ for those who live within City of Edinburgh.
Online work -
For online sessions I work with CYP 13-23 (when based in City of Edinburgh).
For people who live outside the City of Edinburgh, (Including west, mid Lothian, other parts of Scotland and the UK) online work is from 13+ with no upper age limit. - What is Art therapy?
Art psychotherapy utilises art making as a tool to help people better explore their thoughts and feelings. It can help us to make sense of our experiences by engaging our senses and helping us tap into our unconscious world.
Psychotherapy is a modality with a key focus on how early life experiences and relationships lay a blueprint for how we experience and navigate the world. It aims to bring unconscious thoughts and feelings into known consciousness, to create change.
Examples of what happens in Art therapy might include:- Externalising our emotional state into an image, such as painting, drawing and sculpting.
- Creating images alongside talking.
- Experimenting with art mediums you’ve not used before and engaging the senses.
- Talking through objects by being curios and playful.
- What isn't Art therapy?
A therapist judging your artwork and interpreting it, to feed back to you.
A therapist telling you what you should and shouldn’t do.
A space to improve your art making skills.
Art Therapy does not have to include any image making or may go through times of lots of making followed by little- this is all usual. - What if I’ve never made art before or don’t have any art making skills?
This is the biggest worry clients bring into Art Therapy across all ages! I am not here to judge how your art making looks and I am trained to work with experienced artists and people who have never used art before.
- What is Anti-oppressive practice?
First developed from social work practise in the UK, this practice describes a specific framework of working. It means to work with these intersections; being able to identified aspects of our identity that hold of privilege, power and marginalization in our lives.
Having this understanding helps us to prevent re-traumatizing clients and reduces minority stress in those who are accessing therapy. This is what it means to work in a truly trauma informed way. - What is the process of Art Therapy?
I usually offer a free 40 minute consultation to discuss hopes for therapy and for us to get to know one another better. This can be online or in person. I will give you time to think about if we are the right fit before coming back to agree on a rough outline for sessions, including a number of sessions to work towards before review.
During therapy, we might have reviews about how therapy is going, what you’re finding helpful and wanting to explore together. - How long do sessions typically last?
This is a decision you and I can make together. One fit is not right for everyone and it can be difficult to anticipate how long or short therapy may be. When having our consultation and initial sessions, this is something we can explore in more depth.
Sometimes people access therapy for many years and for others it can be a shorter more focused piece of work. All durations are acceptable so long as they feel helpful. - Is your space accessible?
Accessible means many things. I've taken time to think about different learning styles, processing speeds, way of being that include mobility and sensory needs. Its impossible to be completely accessible to each person but I try my best to learn and make my practice as accessible as it can be.
Within the space itself, I have thought carefully to create a sensory safe environment (no harsh lighting, contrasting colours, comfy sofas, space to be on the floor and move around etc), with access to sensory tools if they are needed. I am always open to how this can improve and encourage feedback from clients.
The physical space (room) has a ramp upon entrance but unfortunately a set of stairs up to the room itself, so it isn’t totally accessible for those with mobility needs. This is something that has been raised with the landlords and we are looking to improve it. - What are your fees?
My session rate is £50 per hour and is paid via bank transfer (BACS) before sessions start.
I offer a sliding scale and reduced fee for those who sit within marginalized groups (POC, lower socio-economic backgrounds, disabled, LGBT+ and more). I have a set number of these I can offer, so please speak with me further if you would like to access this.
In the event I do not have a free slot, I can add you to an ‘expression of interest’ list and can make contact when a slot is becoming available. This will be on a first come first serve basis
Fees are paid by BACS before the beginning of the session..
The next steps
If what I've said resonates with you, leave a message in the box, call, or email me and we can arrange a time to have an initial session either face to face or online dependent on your needs.
Phone
07754214802
Phone
07287 813 835