ART THERAPY YORK
EMMA COOPER
ART Therapy York
Providing support to young people through creative activities
Meet Emma Cooper
Accredited Art Therapist
I became a registered Art Therapist in 2016, working in York and the surrounding area. I provide a judgement free space for young people (aged 12 to 25), to explore their thoughts and feelings through the power of art.
I have worked with people dealing with all sorts of difficulties and tailor interventions to suit each person's unique needs. I work to help and encourage young people to better understand thoughts, feelings and behaviours.
I have experience in working with the City of York’s Specialist Teaching Team and the Traveller and Ethnic Minority Team, supporting the inclusion of young people with special educational needs in schools (SEND). I also worked at an NHS in-patient setting working on a women’s ward.
I have worked with York Mind since 2018 working with adults and from 2022 as a 1-1 Young People’s Counsellor, offering both talking counselling and art therapy for Young People aged 12-25.
Sessions are available in-person and online.
Why Art Therapy?
Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses art media as a form of expression and communication. There may be things which you cannot say in words, this could be because the emotions are too distressing, you may struggle to identify how you are feeling, or because something is hard to say or talk about. Art therapy offers you a safe space to share something that is affecting how you feel, think or behave.
Art therapy is a creative way of exploring your thoughts and emotions by using colours, shapes, and images to express how you feel instead of words.
You don't need to be good at art; it's more about the process of creating rather than the end result being perfect.
During the art therapy session you have access to a range of art and craft materials for painting, sculpting, collage-making, or even just doodling.The cool thing about art therapy is that it is really flexible and completely centred around you as an individual where you can decide the amount of time you spend making art and the amount of time you spend talking.
Time is allocated at the end of each therapy session, for you to have time to talk and think about the artwork in relation to your difficulties, to help you understand yourself better, and gain insight and for change to occur.
Art therapy can help young people better understand thoughts, feelings and behaviours, and to bring self-awareness and understanding and help towards managing feelings and gain autonomy.
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Give you a voice to communicate your thoughts and feelings
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Enhance your self-esteem and confidence
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Enable you to develop healthy coping strategies
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Promotes self-awareness and discovery
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Recognising your own growth and inner strength
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Highlight personal strengths and challenge negative thinking
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Improve your relationships.
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Explore connections between past experiences and present circumstances.
Benefits of Art Therapy
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Mental health and young people
Dealing with the world we live in
Factors affecting mental health
Many factors affect mental health in young people including adversity, bullying, pressure to conform in friendship groups and exploring identity, media influence and gender norms can worsen the contrast between real life and their future aspirations.
Promotion and prevention
The aim is to strengthen an individual's capacity to regulate emotions, enhance alternatives to risk-taking behaviours, build resilience for managing difficult situations and adversity, and promote supportive social environments and social networks
Low mood and anxiety
Low-mood and anxiety are common among young people. Depression and anxiety share some of the same symptoms, including rapid and unexpected changes in mood.
Anxiety and low-mood can affect school attendance and schoolwork, and social withdrawal can worsen feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Behaviour
Behavioural issues are more common among young people. This includes those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Behavioural issues can also affect education and self-confidence around learning.
1 / How many sessions do I need?
This is individual and is dependent on many factors, we will decide the number of sessions during the early stages. Your therapeutic journey will be regularly reviewed, and the number of sessions assessed depending on the level of support needed.
4 / What will we talk about?
2 / Is it confidential?
Yes, it is confidential. What is shared between you and the therapist is confidential, and this information will not be shared with parents, GP’s or schools. However, if there is a safeguarding issue or a risk of immediate harm to you or someone you talk about confidentiality will be broken. This will be discussed in further detail if you decide you want to go ahead with therapy, and will be written in the Art Therapy contract.
4 / What will we talk about?
3 / What will we talk about?
During our initial conversations, we will explore a little about what is going on for you, and work out some goals for art therapy and counselling support. We are generally steered by what you express or feel during the session.
4 / What will we talk about?
4 / What happens in the session?
Usually, we start the session checking in on how you are feeling. You have the option of using the session to talk through your feelings, or use some of the session to engage and express your feelings creatively, and then some time to talk about what has come up for you during the session.
4 / What will we talk about?
Frequently Asked Questions
What people say
"Emma really understood my emotions and talked them through with me."
"I learned new ways to cope with my anxiety."
"Art therapy helped me by being creative and realising what is happening for me."
Making an appointment
Discovery call
Finding the right therapist for you is important. So, arranging an inital call is a useful way for you to ask questions about how I work.
Please complete the form with some initial information and I will arrange to call you at a convenient time and explore the areas of focus that you or your young person would like to address. If you chose to go ahead I will email a copy of the Art Therapy contract before our first session.
Appointments
Appointments are available in-person and online. If you decide to proceed we will agree the number of sessions and set a consistent day and time. You will be given an Art Therapy contract to read and sign, that outlines the way we will work together. For young people under 16, parental consent is also required. Sessions are for 1hour and held in person in an art therapy room and also available online
Sessions cost £70
