Rachel Green Art Therapy

20/01/2026

You’ve probably heard the saying, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” This is especially true when it comes to supporting neurodivergent clients, whether someone is autistic, has ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, or finds talking about their feelings really hard.

For people who struggle to put things into words (or prefer not to), art therapy gives another way to communicate, one that doesn’t rely on speech, judgment, or needing to “explain yourself.” What you create becomes your language.

Working alongside an art therapist, you can explore and express yourself using a variety of art materials in a safe, supportive, and sensory-friendly environment. Art therapy can also help regulate the nervous system, offering calming, grounding experiences as well as a healthy outlet for built-up energy. There is no pressure to perform or get anything “right”.

For many neurodivergent clients, art therapy becomes a safe place to express what’s inside and feel understood without having to rely on words.

If you’re interested in art therapy sessions, please contact me via my website (link in bio) or DM

Ref: Hayward, S. (2024) Neurodiversity and art therapy, The British Association Of Art Therapists. Available at: https://baat.org/publications/insight/autumn-2024/neurodiversity-and-art-therapy/

14/01/2026

Pleased to say I've completed my Level 2 Safeguarding Children 🙌
Safeguarding is an essential part of theraputic practice and it's a therapist's (and everyones) responsibility to report concerns they have about a child's safety

07/01/2026

New art therapy sessions available for children and adults in Colchester

Art materials are used to express yourself alongside conversation (if desired) with the art therapist

No pressure, no art experience required

Get in touch via DM or my website (link in bio) to find out more 🎨

07/01/2026

👏🙌

🔥 Art therapy sessions could cut the risk of burnout by half, a study of London medics suggests.

Researchers from Queen Mary University of London and Barts Health NHS Trust worked with 129 doctors, nurses and other health professional from London hospitals to study the effects of group art therapy sessions.

They found that those who took part in the sessions reported much lower emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation, and less stress, anxiety and depression.

🔗 Read the full article from the BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5yj6412gvxo

📷️ Image: Dr Francesco Rosato
Credit: BBC

05/01/2026

Day 12: Art Therapist!
Last but not least, the most essential part of art therapy, the Art Therapist! (Me 😊)

Did you know that Art Therapist is a legally protected title in the UK? This means practitioners must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to practise. Art therapists require appropriate training, usually at Master’s level.

During an art therapy session, the art therapist is there to support you, whether you prefer to talk while making art or focus quietly on your creative process. The art therapist may even make art alongside you and is always available to help with materials when needed.

Thank you for following my 12 Days of Art Therapy Materials. I hope you found them interesting and it’s given you more of an idea of the role of art materials in art therapy.

If you are interested in starting art therapy sessions or would like further information, please contact me via DM or my website

04/01/2026

Day 11: Slime
Slime, it’s not just for kids! Slime is another wonderful tactile material, and making it from scratch can be very therapeutic. You combine PVA glue, slime activator, and paint to colour it (if you wish). Craft items such as pom-poms can also be added for extra texture.
Creating and manipulating slime can help calm the mind and nervous system, potentially reducing anxiety and improving mood.

03/01/2026

Day 10: Collage Materials
Collage materials such as magazines, newspapers, and patterned paper are great resources in art therapy. Magazine images are particularly helpful because they are pre-made. If you’re struggling to know where to start, a range of images can make self-expression easier.
It can be as simple as choosing favourite pictures and arranging them in a way that feels right. This often leads to further discussion and exploration of the meaning behind image choices.

02/01/2026

Day 9: Water
Water is essential in any art therapy session, not only for washing hands and cleaning brushes, but as a material in its own right. Water provides a great base for mixing “potions” or “soup” and can be used to dilute other materials like paint and glue.
When used with thick or watercolour paper, water can create some amazing effects with water-based paints and pigments.

01/01/2026

Day 8, Art Tray
A great way to contain wet materials. See previous post for more information

01/01/2026

Happy New Year! There are a few more days left of my 12 Days of Art Therapy materials!

Day 8: Art Tray
Sometimes it’s useful to have an art tray in sessions to provide containment for “mess-making”. “Mess” is encouraged in art therapy, as it’s a valuable way for clients to let go and play with materials (I plan to make another post about this!).
However, if “mess” isn’t contained, it can become overwhelming for some clients. Liquid-based materials such as paint, glue, slime, and water can all be effectively held in the tray while remaining accessible.
(see video for demonstration)

31/12/2025

Day 7: Paint
A favourite with my child clients! I tend to provide acrylic and ready-mixed poster paints, as they dry more quickly. Watercolour paints are also available and are often favoured by adult clients.
Paint can be poured, printed, added to slime, mixed into potions, or used in the traditional sense with a brush or sponge. Because of its fluidity and versatility, paint is a great way to express emotions.

30/12/2025

Day 6: Air-Dry Clay
Similar to sensory putty, clay provides valuable sensory input (touch, smell, and proprioception) and supports emotional regulation. You don’t necessarily have to “make” anything with clay; simply holding it, making marks with tools or hands, or manipulating it into shapes can be beneficial. The possibilities are endless!
(No video today I'm afraid but it is similar to sensory putty, just with more residue)