Welcome
Working with an art therapist can help provide a different perspective, lighten the load, and help you to understand the way you are feeling and empower you to make helpful changes in your life.
I offer a safe, calm, creative, and non-judgmental space to help you or your loved ones work through any worries or difficulties that might feel too big or complex to face alone. I am happy to work with individuals and groups from all backgrounds and walks of life, either online or in person.
“Less than an hour of creative activity can reduce your stress and have a positive effect on your mental health, regardless of artistic experience or talent.“
(Kaimal and Muniz, 2016)
What is art therapy?
In essence art therapy describes the use of art and image-making to help improve mental health and is grounded in the belief that creative expression can foster understanding and healing and enhance health and mental well-being. Art therapy can be particularly helpful for those that find using words alone challenging or are learning to understand and communicate their feelings.
There are many reasons why people feel art therapy may be of benefit to them or their child. These can include a way to help understand, identify, and modify feelings of overwhelm, conflict, or anxiety. A creative space to explore unique experiences to make sense of how these impact on feelings, thinking and behaviours. A space to promote gentle change, support healthy communication and foster connections.
About me
Hello! I’m Emily, an art psychotherapist based in Marchmont, Edinburgh. I completed my art psychotherapy masters at Queen Margaret’s University in Edinburgh and have since worked as an art therapist within the NHS and voluntary sector, supporting adults, children, young people, and families.
I have completed a diploma in Art Therapy, Working with Children and Young People (BAAT); the foundation level in Family and Systemic Therapy (Family Therapy Training Network), level one in Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP Network), and Family Mentalisation Based Therapy Training (Anna Freud).
Before starting my private practice, I worked for many years in Paediatric Psychology and then Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), and many, many years ago I studied fine art and printmaking in Dundee and worked in film and TV editing in Soho.
My areas of particular interest and specialism include:
- Children and young people’s mental health, including anxiety and depression
- Interpersonal and relational challenges
- Early developmental trauma
- Managing paediatric health conditions
- Group work
- Supervision
- Organisational dynamics
- Team development
“To stimulate creativity, one must develop childlike inclination for play and the childlike desire for recognition.”
Albert Einstein
Contact
hello@emily-farrugia.co.uk
My work days are Tuesday – Thursday, I will get back to you as soon as possible on these days.
Phone
07864 335 615
My work days are Tuesday – Thursday. Please leave me a voice message or text and I will get back to you as soon as possible on these days.
Address
1 Summerhall
Edinburgh
EH9 1PL
Services
Art therapy
- Art therapy with children and young people
- Art therapy with adults
Free consultation
Prior to booking one or more sessions I offer a free 20-minute consultation, either online or by phone, where we can discuss you or your loved ones needs and hopes for art therapy, and how we might work together. This can be arranged by emailing me at hello@emily-farrugia.co.uk
Initial meeting
If we agree art therapy might be a helpful approach for you or your loved ones, we will have an initial session – online or at my Marchmont clinic – where we can have a more detailed discussion about all aspects of your history and wellbeing, this meeting will last between 60 and 90 minutes; through this we will agree a therapy plan that works for you. This may be an open-ended arrangement, with no fixed end date. Or it could be a focused programme of art therapy, running over 6 – 12 sessions.
Costs
Individually funded art therapy session: £55 (50 minutes)
Organisationally funded art therapy session: £65
If the costs of art therapy are unaffordable, please let me know and we can discuss different payment options.
Supervision
I offer a collaborative, creative, and respectfully challenging approach to supporting other clinicians and professionals. Within supervision I am focused on nurture and growth, facilitating a conversation through which practitioners can think through challenging aspects of their work, reflect on their practice, and develop their abilities. My own practice places the therapeutic relationship at the centre, and uses systemic, mentalization, and psychodynamic methods.
If you would like to discuss supervision further please email me on hello@emily-farrugia.co.uk to arrange a free 20-minute call, either online or by phone, to discuss your needs and hopes for supervision and how we might work together.
Costs
Individually funded: £60 (60 minutes)
Organisationally funded: £70
Frequently asked questions
How long do sessions last?
Art therapy appointments last 50 minutes. (Our initial session will sometimes be a bit longer, to ensure we can cover a clear understanding of need.)
How often do I need to come?
During our initial session we will discuss your needs, and together agree when and how often you would benefit from coming to therapy. Traditionally art psychotherapy sessions take place at the same time and on the same day each week, however, we will consider your requirements and how this will work for you and agree a plan together.
Where do sessions take place?
Art therapy sessions can take place online or at the clinic in Marchmont.
Do I have to make art each time?
Everyone is different, and your therapy sessions will be created around you and your needs. Some people choose to create art each session, some less frequently, others rarely; we will work together to see what is a good fit for you.
Do I have to be good at art?
You don’t have to be good at art, or need to have any special artistic ability, to participate in art therapy. Having an interest in art and creativity is helpful.
What are your values?
Starting any therapeutic journey and beginning to prioritise your mental health and wellbeing can be daunting, my approach is not about quick fixes or offering unrealistic expectations – my ethos is to support, process, collaborate, create, and inform. It’s about making a space to think about you and your needs, a place to be creative, to share, to learn, and to reflect, and empower you to make helpful changes in your life.
What if it’s not for me?
Art therapy is not for everyone. If art therapy does not feel like a good fit for you, we can explore alternative supports that may feel better suited to you and your needs. I am part of a network of therapists and mental health professionals, to whom I can signpost or make referrals.