On Saturday 9^th November at the Wellcome Collection, over 150 art therapists from across the UK came together to learn from each other and explore ways to innovate their art therapy practices to better serve their communities.  

Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses visual and tactile media as a means of self-expression and communication. Art therapists aim to support people of all ages and abilities and at all stages of life, to discover an outlet for often complex and confusing feelings, and foster self-awareness and growth. It can help people of all ages and at all stages of life, including those whose life has been affected by difficult personal or cultural experiences, illness and/or disability.

The event included presentations from art therapist Jed Jerwood on his award-winning project, ‘No Barriers Here’, which is creating an inclusive approach to advance care planning for people with learning difficulties using arts-based methods.

Art therapists, artists and researchers also spoke on topics such as using art therapy to reduce burnout in healthcare workers, using AI in art therapy and the use of animation films to share people’s stories from prisons.

Daler-Rowney was selected by the British Association of Art Therapists to supply every attendee with a set of our Black Fineliners and an A5 sketchbook. Attendees used the materials to draw during a workshop with Jason Wilsher-Mills, as he spoke on his own personal journey with art making and creativity.

Find out more about art therapy and the British Association of Art Therapist’s annual conference.