Art therapy uses art materials to express thoughts, feelings and experiences in a safe environment and helps clients explore what is difficult to say or cannot be said.
This SOHTIS service provides an immediate responsive mental health care intervention to support survivors of human trafficking and those who have experienced other trauma. This short term, non-verbal, stabilising measure is designed to offer support to survivors while they are waiting, for longer term interventions. Our HCPC registered Art Therapist takes a gentle, non-intrusive, non-judgemental, culturally aware approach informed by WHO principles of psychological first aid and current best practice.
The underlying premise of Art Therapy is that words can only partly represent or express the individual’s inner experience. Art therapy engages the mind, body, and spirit in ways that are distinct from verbal articulation alone. Kinesthetic, sensory, perceptual, and symbolic opportunities invite alternative modes of receptive and expressive communication, which can circumvent the limitations of language. Visual and symbolic expression gives voice to experience and empowers individual, communal, and societal transformation. (AAT, 2022)
Art therapy allows clients to express those feelings that they can’t find words to explain. Clients do not need to be good at or particularly interested in art.
This service aims to
· prevent further harm – prevent psychological decompensation,
possible pathological development or return to an exploitative
situation
· lessen the cumulative effect of peritraumatic stress
· facilitate stabilisation
· promote recovery
· provide psychological relief
· offer a way for survivors of trauma to cope with the present and
adjust to their current situation
Referrals can be made for:
Individual 50-minute sessions
Group sessions may be available
Location: variable
Costing Structure available on request
Referral can be made via our online booking form: Referral to Creating Calm, Art Therapy
For more information contact: enquiries@sohtis.org
If you have suspicions regarding anyone who may be affected by human trafficking or modern slavery take a few minutes to report what you know to the Modern Slavery Helpline 08000 121 700. You can do this anonymously.
In an emergency always call 999.