What is art psychotherapy?

Art psychotherapy is a form of psychological therapy that uses art-making alongside talking. For children and young people, images and play often reach places that words alone can't. No artistic skill is needed — the process matters, not the outcome.

How long is a session, and how often?

Sessions are typically 50 minutes, weekly, at the same time each week. Consistency helps build trust and safety. Length of therapy varies from short-term focused work to longer-term support.

Do you offer in-person or online sessions?

I offer both in-person sessions in Taunton, Somerset and online sessions. In person, I bring a thoughtful selection of art materials with me; online, we meet in a warm, unhurried way, with the option to share artwork made between sessions.

Fees are discussed at an initial consultation, so I can understand what you're looking for and whether I'm the right fit before anything is agreed.

Is what my child says confidential?

Yes. What happens in sessions is kept confidential, in line with HCPC and BAAT ethical guidelines. The only exceptions are where there is a safeguarding concern, which I would always aim to discuss with the child, before taking steps to protect the child or others' safety.

Taunton, Somerset

Thoughtful, creative therapy for children and adolescents.

Sarah Collins is an HCPC and BAAT registered Art Psychotherapist with over twelve years' experience working in children's mental health in the NHS and private practice. Through her work she offers a calm space where young people can begin to make sense of what they're feeling.

Arrange an initial conversation How I work

A calm art therapy studio with brushes, watercolours and dried flowers

Registered with

HCPC · BAAT

Portrait of Sarah Collins, Art Psychotherapist

About

A gentle, experienced presence for young minds.

My approach is warm, unhurried and rooted in a simple belief: young people are the experts regarding their own experience. My role is to offer a safe, consistent space — and the creative materials — for those experiences to be expressed and explored at their own pace.

I have worked across both the NHS and private practice. In the NHS, I have worked in CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) services for over 12 years - within Crisis teams, Generic CAMHS and in Deaf CAMHS. Privately, I have delivered online art therapy and dedicated support in Schools for children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs. I have supported children and adolescents across a full spectrum of needs - including anxiety, low mood, trauma, bereavement, eating difficulties and disorders, family changes, attachment difficulties, identity and self-discovery around gender and sexuality, understanding their neurodivergence, and the everyday challenges of growing up. I am proficient in BSL to Level 2 and am experienced in working with BSL Interpreters.

I hold a first class honours degree in Psychology from Liverpool, a first class Masters in Psychological Research Methods from Exeter, and an MA in Art Psychotherapy from Roehampton. I am trained in Theraplay (Level 1), Autism assessment (ADOS-2) and am also qualified to offer clinical supervision to other Art Therapists. I continue to develop my practice through relevant and meaningful CPD. View my credentials.

The Approach

What art psychotherapy looks like in practice.

A quiet, creative space

Whether we meet in person or online, the session is a calm, creative space shaped around the young person I am working with and their needs. In person, I provide all creative art materials; online, we explore topics in a warm, unhurried way, with the option to create and share artwork made between sessions or during our session, virtually. There is never any pressure to create artwork.

Creative play, image and story

Through art-based image-making, play and story, young people can express that which feels too complex or fragile for words — feelings, memories, worries, hopes. The creative process also gently softens the therapy space, easing anxiety, directing focus and helping us to develop a warm and trusting therapeutic relationship.

Working together

I work closely with parents, carers and schools where helpful, holding the wider picture while keeping the child's own therapeutic space safe, private and confidential. Clear, compassionate communication helps everyone around the young person to feel supported and involved in the right way.

Who I Work With

Children and adolescents, and the people around them.

This list shows some difficulties I can offer support with, but is only a starting point — please feel welcome to get in touch to talk about what's going on.

Anxiety and worry
Low mood
Bereavement and loss
Trauma and difficult experiences
Family change and separation
Attachment and relational difficulties
Neurodivergence, including Autism and ADHD
School-based difficulties
Self-esteem and emotional regulation
Anger and behavioural challenges
Disordered eating and Eating Disorders
Identity and self-discovery - including around gender and sexuality

Training & Credentials

Twelve years of NHS and private practice, grounded in careful training.

HCPC-RegisteredHealth & Care Professions Council
BAAT-RegisteredBritish Association of Art Therapists
BAAT-Qualified Clinical SupervisorQualified to offer clinical supervision to other therapists
MA Art PsychotherapyUniversity of Roehampton, Distinction-Merit
MSc Psychological Research MethodsUniversity of Exeter, First Class
BSc (Hons) PsychologyUniversity of Liverpool, First Class
ADOS-2 TrainedAutism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Hogrefe
Theraplay Attachment-Based InterventionTheraplayUK Level 1 Practitioner
British Sign Language, Level 2Signature-accredited

Common Questions

A few things families often want to know.

What is art psychotherapy?: Art psychotherapy is a form of psychological therapy that uses art-making alongside, and in some cases, in place of talking. For children and young people, images and play often reach places that words alone can't. No artistic skill is needed and there is no judgement on the work produced — the process matters, not the outcome.
How long is a session, and how often?: Sessions are typically 50 minutes, at the same time each week. Consistency helps build trust and safety. The length of therapy varies from short-term focused work to longer-term support.
Do you offer in-person or online sessions?: I offer both in-person sessions in Taunton, Somerset and online sessions. In person, I provide an extensive selection of art materials and mediums; online, we meet in a warm, unhurried way, with the option to create artwork together using what you have and also to share artwork made between sessions.
What about fees?: Fees are discussed at an initial consultation, so I can understand what you're looking for and whether I'm the right fit before anything is agreed.
Is what my child says confidential?: Yes. What happens in sessions is kept confidential, as this is crucial to us being able to develop a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship, where the child can be authentic and honest. The only exceptions are where there is a safeguarding concern, which I would always aim to discuss with the child, before taking steps to protect the child or others' safety.

Get in Touch

Let's start with a conversation.

If you're wondering whether art psychotherapy might help your child or teenager, please do get in touch. Initial enquiries are usually answered within two working days.

Studio: Taunton, Somerset
Email: hello@sarahcollins.co.uk
Fees: Fees are discussed at an initial consultation.