Exploring feelings through art

Clinicians at the C&E Centre in Chelmsford have started a new art psychotherapy group to help support patients. 

Four people who have experienced issues such as depression, anxiety and social isolation took part in the first group, which was held over 12 sessions. A new group began this month. 

The sessions are run by art psychotherapist Carey Bennet and psychodynamic counsellor Claire O’Connor. 

Carey said: “Attendance and engagement were good and people supported one another through listening carefully and asking questions about one another’s art.

“The group offered something lively, stimulating and imaginative in patients’ lives, as well as social interaction in a non-intense way, moving from check-in to quiet art-making, to talking and looking at the artwork.” 

It has helped patients to talk about their feelings, express themselves visually and verbally, and learn from each other. 

One of the people who took part said: “It helped me to identify ways in which I cope that might be unhelpful. It has also helped me piece together some past experiences and the effect they’ve had on me.” 

Claire and Carey hope that by broadening available treatments the service can continue to respond to the individual needs of service users.