About me
Thank you for clicking and taking the time to find out about what Art Therapy and I can offer. My name is Clare, and I appreciate that navigating through the current mental health services and organisations can be overwhelming, confusing and frustrating. Hopefully, you will find some answers here, and I am only too happy to talk further about appropriate choices for you.
I work as an Art Psychotherapist across the age span, with children (age 10+), adolescents and adults, both individually and in groups. I can offer long and short-term therapy. I currently work from a home studio in the north of Sheffield, located on the main bus route to the city centre. I can offer in-person or online sessions at a compatible time to suit busy lifestyles. I usually see clients once a week at a set regular time, but I can be flexible to suit a busy lifestyle.
What is Art Therapy?
Art Therapy is a process of exploring, expressing and making sense of difficult thoughts and feelings through creative processes. Sometimes finding the right words and having the courage to talk to others about problems or worries can be a challenge; therefore, the use of ‘art media’ (images, art, objects, stories, ideas, sensory experiences, colour, symbols and metaphor) can offer another, sometimes less constrained, way to communicate.
Art Therapy is not an art lesson, recreational activity, or diagnostic tool; it is a form of psychotherapy which is researched, respected and regulated. An individual doesn’t need any previous experience or art expertise, just a willingness to engage with art media at a pace and in a way that is comfortable for them.
Images can either be created within the session, or we can use ‘found’ images (for example, a photograph) or ‘imagined’ images, perhaps inspired by a film, story, dream or music. It all depends on how you want to work; some clients never pick up a paintbrush at all during their therapy, while others make art every week. Typically, in a session, the therapist will sit with a client and explore an image or concept together to help facilitate thinking about what that image might mean and how it relates to them. Using art media therapeutically can create a psychological space where individuals can work through difficult thoughts/feelings/situations and think about ways to cope or move forward. I have been told by clients that having a third thing in the room (the art media) can ‘take the pressure off’ and enable them to approach difficult subjects in a gentler way.
Is Art Therapy right for me?
You may know why you want to access therapy; you may have experienced difficult times, experiences or emotions that you are left struggling with. Alternatively, you may not have a clear idea of why, but have a general sense of disconnection, frustration or unhappiness in your life with no immediate recognisable cause. You may equally just want to find out more about yourself, how you think, behave and interact with others. All of which can be given space to explore within art therapy.
I recognise that we are all individual and unique, which is why I work in an inclusive and non-judgemental way. Our sessions and their content will be held in confidence and respect confidentiality, creating a ‘safe space’ that will respect your personal history and your relationship to it. The therapeutic relationship between client and therapist is a special one, which I honour and respect through the development of trust and my compassionate and curious nature.
I won’t tell you what to do, and I don’t advise. I will help and support you in finding your own path and developing your own understanding.
Training, qualifications & experience
I hold a Master’s degree in Art Psychotherapy (distinction) and a Bachelor’s degree (first-class honours) in Psychology. Both qualifications are accredited by BAAT and BPS. I am HCPC registered and regulated and am a full member of BAAT. My Art Therapy private practice is fully insured, and I am committed to regular clinical supervision, continued professional development and further training. I have recently trained in dyadic art therapy, meaning I can now work both individually with children and jointly with parents and children together.
I am a qualified clinical supervisor, having studied for a post-graduate certificate (level 7) at the University of Derby. I have been providing creative-based Clinical Supervision since 2024.
I have worked in a variety of settings, such as schools and alternative learning provisions, hospitals and NHS Social Prescribing, and various organisations from the corporate and charitable sectors. I currently work within an established charity in Sheffield that supports those affected by Cancer.
I have experience in supporting training art therapists with personal therapy since 2017. I have a large range of books and journals that I can lend out free of charge to all students.
I make a point of keeping my CPD and further training relevant and regular so that I can provide an informed and supported practice. I have undertaken in-depth training for working online and have been providing online sessions since 2020.
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
The HCPC are an independent, UK-wide health regulator. They set standards of professional training, performance and conduct for 16 professions.
They keep a register of health professionals who meet their standards, and they take action if registered health professionals fall below those standards. They were created by a piece of legislation called the Health Professions Order 2001.
Registration means that a health professional meets national standards for their professional training, performance and conduct.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
- Being cared for or a Carer
- Health issues and Illness
- Life changes
- Loss
- Personal development
- Self-Esteem and Confidence
- Sleep problems
- Social Isolation
- Performance Anxiety
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£60.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I offer an initial meeting of 1.5 hours, where we can meet each other, ask questions, and decide if we want to enter into some therapeutic work together. The cost of this meeting (assessment for therapy) is £40.00.
I tend to book sessions in monthly blocks (payable in advance on the 1st of every month) and suggest a ‘10 week review and continue if required' plan. Therapy sessions are 1 hour long, cost £60.00 each and take place once a week. On average, clients have 15-20 sessions, but I can work longer term.
Therapy Reviews and Parent Support sessions are charged at £60.00 per hour.
I can offer a very good fee discount for training art therapists (£50.00 per 1-hour session), and can provide longer sessions if wanted. I don't charge students for an initial meeting if this is undertaken online. The initial assessment session (in-person) is charged at a discounted rate (£35.00).
Fees for my creative-based Clinical Supervision are charged at £65.00 per 1-hour session, with a free initial meeting. Please see my Supervision Profile for more details of what I can offer.
When I work
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Further information
Testimonials
"Clare made me feel comfortable from the beginning. I started art therapy with her during the lock-down at a time when I felt confused and anxious. She made me feel at ease and I looked forward to our sessions each week. Our sessions really helped me to explore the feelings that were overwhelming me at the time. She really helped me to address the things that I couldn’t on my own. She was able to create an environment where I felt safe to explore some of the thoughts I was trying to avoid. She helped me to make sense of things again and I am grateful for our sessions as they have had a lasting impact" (Art Therapy student - long-term therapy work).
"My son was going through a really difficult and challenging time and I didn't know how to help him. Clare enabled him to work through things and he is now much more confident about himself and getting more out of life. She provided guidance and insight for me as a parent too and my relationship with my son has grown into something joyful. I am so grateful that we chose art therapy with Clare, it has made such a difference" (Parent of a 14 year old - 16 weeks of therapy).
“Our daughter was really struggling with her emotions and self-esteem. This was making it difficult for her to attend school and her friendships were suffering. Clare was really instrumental in building her confidence and helping her learn how to overcome her anxiety. Clare reached out to guide the school and helped us as parents with strategies to help our child. We felt really supported all round. My daughter talks very fondly of Clare and her art therapy, she is much happier now and is back at school full-time. We would recommend Clare highly”. (Parent of a 10-year-old, 5 months of support).
“Clare is kind and talked to me about things that made me angry. Making art was really fun and I was proud of my clay animals which I made. We played with sand and slime and Lego; I looked forward to my sessions. Clare helped me to tell my Dad how I was feeling and I spoke a lot about my Mum who died. I feel much better than before. I would see Clare again if I felt angry or sad again”. (9-year-old boy [with a little help writing from Dad] 25 weeks of support).
“I feel incredibly lucky to have found such a wonderful therapist for my daughter at a time that was really hard for us both. From the very first session where I met Clare, she created a space that felt safe, welcoming, full of warmth and full of fun! This was also very much felt by my daughter in her 1-1 sessions. Clare's bubbly personality, kind heart, and calming presence have made a world of difference in my daughter’s confidence and emotional well-being.The connection built was so supporting and empowering for my daughter and I have seen such growth in her as her parent, which is thanks to the support of Clare. The follow up conversations we’ve also had I found really good and helpful to ensure I also learnt how to continue the support for my daughter in her day-to-day life. We will continue to use all the little things you’ve shared with us and my daughter has a beautiful collection of art things to look back on and remember her time with you”. (Parent of a 12 year old, with anxiousness and sleep issues - 20 weeks of support.)
"We have our fun loving, happy daughter back! I don't know what happens in your lovely workshop, but it must be Magic!" (Parent of a 10 year old with school avoidance -18 weeks of support).
