about us

Art Therapy in Neurology was established in order to promote an understanding of the particular issues associated with working with clients who have neurological problems. The human brain is fascinating and it can seem a huge challenge to understand how it functions 'normally' let alone after damage, and how psychotherapy can best be applied. Although the number of art therapists working in this field is growing, art therapy is still working towards becoming one of the core services alongside physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and neuropsychology.

Our group has been meeting since October 2000 and we were granted British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT) Special Interest Group status in October 2002. At present we have a membership of 14 people but we are keen to support and learn from other colleagues working in this context and hope to grow in number. We would like to reach people working in isolation and to open up channels of communication. There are probably many art therapists who have worked as a one-off with clients who have had a brain injury and who might like to reflect on the process.

Our client base is wide and varied ranging from people who have congenital disorders such as cerebral palsy, through those with degenerative conditions like multiple sclerosis, to people whose lives have suddenly changed following an acquired brain injury perhaps after an RTA or stroke. Some of our members work in hospital rehab units, others in resource centres in the community whilst others make domiciliary visits to clients in their own homes.

The group meets 3 times a year at different venues, although we are looking to find a permanent base somewhere midway between Edinburgh and London. Our meetings combine networking, support, learning and discussion. We have had guest speakers - Professor Frank Besag, Consultant Neuropsychiatrist gave us a talk on Epilepsy; Dr. Shona Mackintosh, Clinical Psychologist lead a discussion about Systems and how they impact on the work we do; and this January Dr. Colin Murray-Parkes OBE spoke about Bereavement and Psycho-Social Transition Theory. One of our members, Iris von Sass Hyde, presented her MA dissertation 'The Janus Response' at the 3rd World Congress on Neuro Rehabilitation in Venice, April 2002 which was well-received - a great step for art therapy. Some topics for discussion at our meetings have included other ways of working - psychodynamic vs cognitive; the Personal Incident Recall Exercise; countertransference issues; the Arts in Health Initiative; and the Aesthetic Object. We always come away very full. Art therapy in neurology is a rich area of work which has great potential for research.

We will soon be completing this website which will include a literature list and a calendar of events. We also plan to build a stock of study resources with a view to training and development, including CPD. We would like to forge links with other professions working in neurology and welcome MDT teaching input. Future topics for study include vicarious traumatisation and how to deal with the cumulative effects of tragedy, plus disinhibition and dealing with violence.

An article for the Headway Newsletter is in the pipeline. Headway is an organisation which supports people with brain injuries and their carers/families. They specifically requested an article about art therapy and brain injury because of the growing interest in this work. A £5000 'Awards for All' lottery grant for local groups has been given to White Lodge Centre, Chertsey, Surrey in order to launch an Outreach Art Therapy Service for people with physical disabilities. It will provide much needed follow-on therapy for people discharged from hospital as well as offering group work in residential homes or day centres. Further grants will be applied for in order to keep the work going and to expand the service.

As this report is being prepared there are 3 new posts being advertised for art therapists in neurology. It is an exciting time.