Eilidh (Elle) Gilbertson

Hello, my name is Elle and I am an HCPC registered art therapist, and my services include one to one therapy sessions with children, families, young people and adults.

In my role as an Art Psychotherapist that I have been able to apply what I have always known about the positive impact of creativity on mental and physical wellbeing to therapeutic work with children, young people and adults.

I am also undergoing supervision training and at present have 2 spaces available for free clinical supervision. If you are an Art Psychotherapist, Psychotherapist or counsellor please contact me to enquire about availability.

​Quite often, I am asked what art therapy is by those curious to know more. A true mind and body intervention, Art Psychotherapy, also called art therapy, is a form of psychotherapy which uses the arts and creativity, as well as talking, to support mental health. Including art making and images in session can be really useful to allow non-verbal communication. The art therapy session can create a safe space to explore experiences and make meaning from life events and feelings.
The sensory impact of the physical touch of materials such as paint, pencil, clay or pastel can help individuals to rewire old ways of being, gain insight and self-regulate. The best part is there is no requirement to be good at art, even though some do find the practice of making inspiring and continue to make beyond the therapy room.

Art therapy takes place within a boundaried and supportive therapeutic relationship through which stories can be told and wounds healed. It can be an excellent modality to work with a variety of concerns such anxiety, grief, trauma, and stress.

I consider the therapeutic relationship to be of central importance in therapy and aim to make the experience collaborative and tailored to the needs of each individual who attends, adult or child.

In addition to incorporating creativity into sessions, I have also completed training on using embodied practices safely within the therapeutic relationship to further foster resilience and self-regulation. I hold a diploma in online therapy, which has equipped me with the theory and practice to create a safe and supportive experience with those attending my online art therapy sessions.

My approach when working with those who attend therapy is highly individual and led by their unique needs and aims for therapy. Some sessions may involve more art-making, and some sessions may be mainly or only talking depending on the needs of the client.

Sometimes those attending art therapy for the first time feel nervous about the art making, having had an experience where their artwork was judged or they felt they were 'not good enough'. In Art Therapy, there is no requirement to be good at art, as the art making has a different role, for example, to help communicate feelings and experiences, or support emotional regulation. As Art Therapist, I am experienced in supporting those attending with the process of getting started with art therapy and art making.

My services include:

Individual Art Psychotherapy for:

• Children
• Young people
• Parents and carers
• Art Therapists and counsellors

Supervision for:

• Art Psychotherapists
• Therapists and counsellors

*Two free spaces for supervision left starting in August. Please contact to enquire.

Workplace wellbeing programmes:

• Groups and teams
• Corporate sector organisations
• Third sector organisations and charities

You can find out more about me and my approach here.