London Art Therapist

Decima Hayes, MA IAT

Decima Hayes

Integrative Arts Psychotherapist

MA – Integrative Arts Psychotherapy (distinction) from Institute of Arts in Therapy in Education (IATE) and the University of East London (UEL)

Postgraduate Certificate in the Therapeutic Arts / Advanced Diploma in the Therapeutic and Educational Application of the Arts -(IATE)

No one goes through life untouched by difficulty.

People enter therapy for a variety of different reasons. Some may want to explore the past, or work through a current difficulty, others to accomplish goals within their career or relationships. Some who begin this process feel dissatisfied and can’t quite place the reason why. I like to think of distress and trauma on a spectrum: where we fall on its scale can impact how we interact with others, understand the world and relate to ourselves.

Whatever the motivation, arts psychotherapy can provide you with a non-judgemental space to gradually work through distress and dissatisfaction using both talking therapy and creativity.

Unlike purely talking therapy, using the arts within sessions can provide a much-needed outlet to express what so often words cannot. This can be particularly useful when working through trauma and or distressing events, as it is often extremely hard to verbalise the experience and the complex feelings connected with them.

You do not have to be an ‘artist’ or even ‘good’ at art as the intention behind art psychotherapy is to express feeling rather than create a technical masterpiece. Anyone who is interested in working symbolically and with metaphor may be a good fit for this way of working.

What is Art Psychotherapy?

Talking Therapy + Creativity

Art psychotherapy combines talking therapy with creative expressions of feeling.

Access Unconscious Feelings

Using the arts within sessions can provide a much-needed outlet to express what so often words cannot.

No Technical Skills Needed

You do not have to be ‘good at art'. Anyone interested in working symbolically and with metaphor can benefit from art therapy.

Accreditation

  • HCPC Registered

    The Health and Care Professions Council is a statutory regulator of over 280,000 professionals from 15 health and care professions in the United Kingdom.

  • BAAT Full Membership

    The British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT) is the professional organisation for art therapists in the UK.

  • UKCP Membership

    The UK Council for Psychotherapy is the leading organisation for psychotherapists & psychotherapeutic counsellors in the UK.

  • ICO Registered

    The UK’s independent authority set up to uphold information rights in the public interest, promoting openness by public bodies and data privacy for individuals.

Book an assessment

Feeling overwhelmed? Want to talk about whether art therapy is right for you? Drop me a message here!
My Approach

Flexible timescales

I offer long-term and short-term work using the arts. This allows creative expressions of feeling to be introduced gradually alongside talking therapy.

Remote Sessions available

Online, Telephone and Face to Face sessions avaliable

Concessions for students & those on low Income

I recognise that therapy is not always affordable but it should be accessible. I therefore offer some low cost slots for those unable to meet the cost.

London Art Therapist - Decima Hayes

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