What to Expect in an Art Therapy Session?

Beginning therapy can bring up many questions — What will it be like? Do I need to talk? Do I need to be good at art? If you’re curious about art therapy, it’s completely natural to feel uncertain.

People come to therapy at different stages of life. Some arrive with a clear goal they want to work towards, while others may feel unsure — apart from a sense that they want to feel better. You don’t need to have everything figured out before starting. Art therapy offers a space where we can slowly explore what you may need, at your own pace. We begin where you are.

What the session may look like?

The first session is usually longer (90 minutes) than subsequent sessions (60 minutes). It is a space for us to talk about what brings you to therapy, your hopes or concerns, and what you are currently navigating in your life. We will also go through practical information such as confidentiality, boundaries, and how art therapy works.

Importantly, the first session is also an opportunity for you to sense whether this feels like the right space, and whether I am the right therapist to support you. Feeling safe and comfortable is an important part of the therapeutic process.

Each session can be very different. Generally, a session may include the following:

Check-in

We begin by checking in. This may be through talking, brief art-making, or a combination of both.

Exploring Through Art

Art-making is an important part of the session, supporting self-expression and exploration of experiences or emotions. You may choose materials that feel suitable, or I may gently suggest something that could support expressing a certain feeling or experience. There is no ‘right’ way to make art.

Reflection

We may then reflect together on the artwork and the process of making it. This is approached with curiosity rather than interpretation — exploring what stands out to you, how it felt to create, and what meaning it may hold. Images can carry symbolic or metaphorical meanings, and the process of making art itself can reflect emotions, patterns, and inner experiences.

At times, moving your hands, using colours or shapes, or engaging with the materials may be exactly what you need in the moment. In this sense, what is created may be less important than the experience of expressing or releasing emotions non-verbally. Words are not always necessary — the process itself can feel grounding and cathartic.

How does it feel like to be on a healing journey?

Art therapy can bring a sense of grounding, insight, relief, and connection. At times, it can also feel challenging — especially when we begin to gently uncover experiences or emotions that have been held for a long time.

Progress are not linear. Some sessions may feel lighter, while others may feel heavier. We work together at a gentle pace, building trust over time, and holding the understanding that you do not have to do this alone.

A gentle invitation

If you’re curious about art therapy, or wondering whether this way of working may be supportive for you or your loved one, that curiosity itself can be a meaningful place to begin. You are welcome to reach out and explore whether this space feels right for you.