Untapped Art Therapy
Pier sits down with Untapped Art Therapy Founder Sue Hamilton-White to find out more about Art Psychotherapy and how Untapped are supporting young people in our area.
Who are Untapped?
We are a non-profit community interest company and social enterprise with the ultimate aim of reducing the rates of youth suicide and self-harm in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. We do this by providing Art Psychotherapy to vulnerable children and young people in the area. We specialise in supporting our clients either individually or in Art Therapy Groups, working with neurodiverse children and young people, many of whom have had great results with the trauma therapy we offer.
Our Art Therapy Group is currently funded by Dorset Children’s Foundation, local charity #Willdoes, and community donations. We regularly run fundraising events, such as our upcoming Art Battle in May.
Why did you start Untapped?
We’ve found that many young people in our area are waiting for more than two years to be seen by services like CAMHS after they have been referred. The impact of this can be devastating, and many of these individuals cannot access private therapy, which is why we deliver more than half of our work for free - directly reducing this treatment gap.
We believe that seeking therapy takes an immense amount of courage, which is why we find it so important to provide a safe and supportive environment for healing and transformation. With Untapped, young people can access support that looks a little different to traditional therapies.
How does Art Therapy work?
The opportunity to fully explore unconscious and conscious feelings using art materials in place of the pressure to communicate verbally provides an unique freedom. Through the process of making art, our therapy allows young people to explore their inner world, develop greater self-awareness, express thoughts and feelings, access creativity and self-esteem, and better cope with stress.
Through art-making, clients are encouraged to play, take risks and explore the challenges they face supported by a professional Art Psychotherapist. We sit alongside clients in their therapeutic journey, giving them the space they need to unleash their creativity.
What are the benefits of Untapped Art Therapy?
Art Therapy is proven to be effective in treating depression, anxiety, trauma, bereavement, addiction, mental health diagnoses, as well as difficulties related to learning or physical disabilities, neurological conditions and physical illnesses.
By engaging in creative expression through art, individuals can access and process complex emotions, thoughts, and experiences in a non-verbal manner. This can be particularly beneficial for those who struggle to articulate their feelings verbally or find traditional talk therapy challenging.
We provide a safe space for exploration and experimentation, allowing individuals to express themselves authentically without fear of judgement.
Every individual has potential. We exist to encourage vulnerable children and young people in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole to believe in their own potential, setting them on the right path to realising it.
If you want to find out more about Art Psychotherapy, either for yourself or someone you know, please get in touch using the information below. We’re here to help.
Website → untapped.org.uk
Instagram → @untappedarttherapy
