Art Psychotherapy is an essential part of a young person's experience at Donyland. Art Psychotherapy is provided on a weekly basis by two HPC Registered Art Psychotherapists in a designated therapy room.

Art Psychotherapy is a non directive treatment which provides an opportunity for young people to communicate their complex thoughts and feelings in a non-threatening and confidential environment. The use of art materials facilitates exploration and containment of difficult feelings in a non-verbal way.

Assessment

Art Psychotherapy is used as a component of each young person's Assessment period. These initial sessions allow the young person to explore the various materials and initiate activity. The therapist introduces herself and explains the boundaries and nature of the session. The assessment allows the therapist to observe the young person's capacity to make use of Art Psychotherapy. Often these sessions highlight themes and issues which remain significant to the young person throughout the course of their placement. This information forms a part of the young person's Assessment Report and is held for reference.

Longer Term

It is hoped that as the three way relationship between the young person, the therapist and the art making process develops, opportunities will arise which serve to offer insight into some of the unconscious impulses and attitudes which motivate and fuel a young person's actions. Art Psychotherapy helps young people to visualise and work through their innermost thoughts and feelings in a non-threatening way. Good and bad feelings, wishes, fears and fantasises can be explored safely, along with the opportunity to play, regress and to act out safely and messily with art materials. It is via this mode of eternalising thoughts and feelings that previously unassimilated material may be processed and eventually verbalised leading to greater regulation of emotions and a more integrated sense of self.