Drawing & Talking
Discover how this gentle, person-centred approach can help you express deep emotions safely
What is Drawing & Talking therapy?
The number one alternative to CBT and more direct talking therapies, Drawing & Talking is a gentle, attachment-based approach designed to help individuals process deep emotions and trauma indirectly through drawing.
Through a combination of drawing and guided narrative, this method provides a safe space for self-expression without the need for direct confrontation of difficult experiences.
Research suggests that Drawing & Talking can help with -
- understanding and expressing emotions
- processing difficult memories or experiences
- reducing stress and improving mood
- building confidence and self-esteem
- developing healthier coping strategies
No artistic experience or skill is necessary!
Who can benefit from Drawing & Talking?
Although it is used in over 7,000 schools across the UK, Drawing & Talking is suitable for people of all ages, from the age of five upwards.
It has been proven to help with -
- emotion-based school avoidance (EBSA)
- stress, anxiety and depression
- trauma recovery
- bereavement and living with grief and loss
- long-term physical illness, disabilities and chronic pain
- neurodivergence and communication difficulties
- dementia and challenges faced by older adults
What to expect in a Drawing & Talking session
Sessions last for thirty minutes and are held at the same time and in the same place over a period of 12 weeks.
You will be given a pencil and a piece of paper and encouraged to draw whatever comes to mind. You don't need to be good at art! It's not about creating a masterpiece, it's about giving your thoughts and feelings somewhere to go.
We don't rub anything out - every mark you make is valid and if you change your mind, you can just cross it out. There is no right and wrong, no pressure to correct anything or make it "better".
We also don't use colour, because by leaving out colour we're leaving space for imagination and possibility. The sun doesn't have to be yellow, because it might not be a cheerful sun - it might be furious, worried or shy because it's hiding behind a cloud.
Once you have finished drawing, you will be gently guided to tell a story about your picture. This really allows you to open up your imagination, explore possibilities and play!
You are in control at all times - there is no judgement or pressure. It's simply a safe space to draw, talk and be yourself.
After each session, your drawing is put in a folder and kept safe to be returned to you at the end of the last session.
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