Amber Bartlett

I have worked with children, teenagers and families for the past 16 years. I am a qualified HCPC registered Art psychotherapist. I support children and teenagers alongside their families to overcome various challenges in their lives. 

In the past year I have supported issues including anxiety, depression, regulating overwhelming emotions/anger, improving confidence and self esteem, improving communication skills, improving relationship with food, and repairing attachment trauma. 

Art therapy is a specialist intervention that offers a safe way for children and young people to express and process difficult feelings that are sometimes unconscious. This includes children that are non verbal and neurodiverse for example those with Autism or ADHD. 

In my therapy sessions, I aim to provide a safe space where the young person can freely express themselves without judgement, session can involve using a combination of talking and art making. For some people, this can feel like a huge relief, knowing the do not feel pressure to fill the whole time with talking. Young people do often go on to explore the thoughts, feelings, and life experiences which are causing them anxiety, and they have time to really think about the areas in their lives which they would most like to improve in their future. It’s important to me to empower the young person to discover their own resilience and inner strength which is the driving force to move forwards in life and beyond the therapy sessions. 

Children and teenagers have a choice to communicate verbally or non-verbally, we work towards aims together set by themselves, or their family.

Young people do not need to be ‘good at’ making art to benefit. Some people choose not to make art at all. Usually, time exploring different materials without judgement can naturally re-connect them to their creativity and self-expression, and those sensory experience naturally reduce anxiety and help to hold difficult feelings. 

I am confident in supporting areas including Anxiety, Relationships, Managing Emotions, Behaviour, Eating, Not Attending School, Bullying, Bereavement, and Confidence. I offer short- and long-term work. 

I am Qualified to use a Dyadic approach; which is a specific way of working which involves  attending sessions with your child. The focus involves nurturing the shared relationship with your child through various art making activities. 

Art materials are used in sessions to support self-expression. You will not need any previous experience of making art, in fact, all you need is the willingness to explore. A variety of creative materials will be available including watercolour paints, oil pastels, sensory toys, sand tray, story cards, collage and found objects.

Sessions can be delivered in any of my two private practice rooms, either in Harlow or Ware, or online. 

I am an integrative therapist using a psychodynamic approach. I use attachment, child development research and many other theories/research to inform my work.

I offer Clinical Supervision to qualified art therapists, psychotherapists/ counsellors and students. Please get in touch for an initial conversation. 

£60 per 50 min session. A reduced rate is offered for a limited number of spaces, for students or low-income families.

£60 per 50 min clinical supervision session