Question 1

What we offer

Accepted Answer

At Wild Flower & Willows, we offer clinical, trauma-informed Creative Arts Therapy to support the emotional wellbeing of children, youth, adults and families. Through drawing, painting, storytelling, sensory play, movement, and other creative modes, we gently explore emotions, behaviours, and personal experiences. Every session is tailored to the individual, grounded in evidence-based therapy practices, and designed to build trust, confidence, resilience, and emotional insight.

With experience across education, health, and community settings we take an integrative approach to art therapy, combining psychodynamic, humanistic, cognitive-behavioural, and systemic theories. Our work is trauma-informed and grounded in neuroscience, guided by developmental and attachment frameworks. We also incorporate existential and creative perspectives to support each person’s journey of meaning, regulation, and growth.

• Children and teens navigating big emotions, anxiety, neurodiversity or trauma
 A gentle, creative space to support emotional regulation, sensory processing, and self-expression.
 • Families and parents seeking support for relational connection or parenting challenges
 Understand your child’s inner world and build stronger emotional attunement through creative, non-verbal engagement.
 • Pregnant and postnatal mothers experiencing anxiety, depression, or identity shifts
 Process complex feelings, nurture wellbeing, and strengthen connection to self and baby during this significant life transition.
 • Adults experiencing stress, burnout, life transitions or grief
 Explore personal meaning, release overwhelm, and reconnect with your inner resilience through creative expression.
 • Neurodivergent individuals (such as ADHD and autism)
 A strengths-based approach that honours different ways of thinking, feeling, and communicating with attention to sensory needs and nervous system support.
 • Anyone who finds it hard to talk about their feelings or prefers visual ways of exploring
 No art experience needed, just a willingness to be curious, creative, and open to your own process.
 • Creative thinkers, sensitive souls, and seekers of self-development
 For those wanting to explore identity, inner narratives, dreams, and the deeper layers of self through symbolic and visual language.

Question 2

Who it's for

Accepted Answer

• Children and Youth: Especially those who find it challenging to express emotions verbally, including those with ADHD, autism, or behavioural issues.
 • Adults Facing Mental Health Challenges: Individuals dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, or life transitions can find relief and self-expression through art therapy.
 • Trauma Survivors: Those who have experienced trauma, such as abuse or violence, can use art to process and express complex emotions in a safe space. 
 • Individuals with Cognitive or Developmental Disabilities: Art therapy can aid in communication, self-expression, and emotional regulation for those with conditions like autism or dementia. 
 • Seniors Experiencing Cognitive Decline or Loneliness: Engaging in art activities can help older adults maintain cognitive function, reduce isolation, and improve overall well-being. 
 • Those Seeking Personal Growth & Creative Expression: Individuals looking to deepen self-awareness, explore identity, or reconnect with creativity in a meaningful, therapeutic way.

Art therapy is a versatile and accessible approach suitable for individuals across various age groups and backgrounds, offering a creative outlet for healing and personal growth.

Question 3

What does the therapy journey look like?

Accepted Answer

1. Self-Referral
 You can refer yourself or your child directly, no need for a GP or external referral. Just get in touch via email or through our website to begin the process.

2. Introductory Consultation
 We’ll schedule a free 20–30 minute consultation (online or in-person) to discuss your needs, answer questions, and make sure art therapy is the right fit. This is a warm, informal space for connection and clarity.

3. Assessment Session
 If we decide to move forward, the first session will be a more in-depth assessment. We’ll explore current challenges, developmental history, goals, and begin gentle creative exploration.

4. Regular Sessions
 We recommend a commitment of 10 weekly sessions to allow time for trust, rhythm, and meaningful progress. Each session is tailored to your needs and creatively guided.

5. Notes, Ethics & Consent
 All sessions are supported by ethical practice. Clinical notes are taken and securely stored. Consent, safety, and confidentiality are always respected and discussed from the beginning.

6. Reviews & Next Steps
 Progress is reviewed collaboratively. After 10 sessions, we’ll reflect on your journey and discuss ongoing options, whether that’s continuing, pausing, or closing the therapy.

Question 4

Why creative arts therapy

Accepted Answer

Art gives voice to what words cannot. In a safe, compassionate space, we use creative expression to:
 •  Improve emotional regulation.
 •  Build self-awareness and confidence.
 •  Strengthen identity and communication.
 •  Foster healing and hope.
 •  Support social and behavioural development.

It’s about connection, growth, and finding new ways forward.

Question 5

Is creative arts therapy effective?

Accepted Answer

Creative arts therapy is a clinically supported approach that helps people process complex emotions, develop self-awareness, and build resilience. It is especially effective in supporting emotional regulation, trauma recovery, and mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The creative process offers a non-verbal way to express thoughts and feelings that may be difficult to articulate with words, making it particularly helpful for both children and adults.

Arts therapy is also well suited for people who are neurodivergent, experience communication difficulties, or live with disability. It can support social skills, reduce anxiety, and increase emotional connection and confidence. For those living with cognitive or neurological conditions such as brain injury, dementia, or chronic illness, creative expression can help improve memory, communication, and wellbeing.

From a clinical and neuroscientific perspective, arts therapy supports brain regulation, emotional integration, and healthy nervous system development. The Expressive Therapies Continuum provides a framework that guides how creative activity supports sensory integration, emotional processing, and insight. Drawing on the work of Dr Bruce Perry, creative therapies also help regulate the brain through rhythm, repetition, and relational safety, offering a foundation for healing from trauma. This approach helps engage the whole brain and body in a safe, connected way, supporting growth, resilience, and a stronger sense of self.

Every session is tailored to the individual, drawing on evidence-based practices and the therapeutic relationship to support meaningful change.

Question 6

Is art therapy right for me or my child?

Accepted Answer

Many people feel nervous about starting art therapy because they believe they’re not creative or “good at art.” The truth is, this work isn’t about making something perfect it’s about using creative processes to express, explore, and connect, in whatever way feels right for you. There is no wrong way to make art here. Within a safe, therapeutic relationship, creative processes offer powerful non-verbal ways to explore what’s happening inside.

Art therapy can help regulate emotions, support relaxation and calm, and make space for feelings that are hard to put into words. Over time, it builds self-awareness, acceptance, and confidence, while also nurturing social connection and a sense of belonging. As individuals create, they begin to uncover personal strengths, deepen resilience, and reconnect with hope and meaning. You don’t need to be an artist, just open to the process. Through this process, clients often discover their strengths, find new ways to relate to others, and develop greater resilience and hope.

Question 7

What kind of "art" do we do?

Accepted Answer

Creative Arts Therapy draws from a variety of expressive forms to support emotional healing, self-discovery, and communication. Each modality offers a unique way to explore inner experiences, especially when words are hard to find.

Visual Art-Making
Painting, drawing, collage, or working with mixed media helps people express feelings, ideas, and memories through images, colour, and form. It supports reflection, self-expression, and regulation.

Sculpture
Using clay, wire, or found materials, sculpture allows clients to explore emotions in a tangible, three-dimensional way. It can be grounding, especially for sensory-seeking children or those working with identity and boundaries.

Drama
Role-play, storytelling, puppetry, and improvisation help individuals explore inner worlds, relationships, and emotions. It’s particularly helpful for practicing empathy, processing social experiences, or re-authoring personal narratives.

Dance/Movement
The body often holds what words cannot. Movement-based work supports body awareness, emotional regulation, and trauma integration. It helps reconnect people to their physical selves in a safe and empowering way.

Music
Playing, listening, or creating music can be soothing, energising, or deeply expressive. Rhythm and melody allow individuals to explore mood, connection, and memory in a non-verbal way.

Creative Writing
Journaling, poetry, and storytelling give shape to thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Writing can be powerful for reflection, identity-building, and giving voice to what may be difficult to say out loud.

Nature Therapy
Engaging with the natural world through outdoor activities and using natural materials to foster mindfulness, reduce stress, and promote emotional healing. This modality helps deepen connection to the environment, encourages grounding and relaxation, and supports personal growth within a calm and nurturing setting.

Play Therapy
In the therapy room, children use toys, games, art materials, and imaginative play to share their feelings and stories in a natural, comfortable way. Play becomes a way to explore emotions, work through challenges, and develop new skills. This hands-on, child-led process supports healing, self-expression, and emotional growth.

Question 8

Do you have funding options?

Accepted Answer

Private sessions can be paid per session or in blocks as per our bookings page. In some cases, support may be available through a number of funding pathways. Please get in touch to find out more.

Question 9

What do I need to bring?

Accepted Answer

There’s no need to bring anything to your session, all art materials are provided. The space is set up to be welcoming, calming, and fully equipped with a range of creative tools to support the therapy process. If you or your child have favourite materials or a personal art journal you'd like to bring along, you're most welcome to. Wear something comfortable and that you don’t mind getting a little paint or pastel on, creativity can sometimes be a little messy, and that’s part of the process!

Question 10

Safety, Ethics, and Crisis Support

Accepted Answer

Your emotional and physical safety is central to all therapeutic work. As a registered Creative Arts Therapist, I follow the professional code of ethics and best practices set by ANZACATA, including clear boundaries, confidentiality, and informed consent at every stage of the process.

For children and young people, consent involves collaboration with parents or guardians, and we work together to ensure the therapeutic space is safe, respectful, and developmentally appropriate.

While this service is not a crisis or emergency provider, we take safety planning seriously. If urgent support is needed, please contact:
 • Lifeline Aotearoa – 0800 543 354 (24/7)
 • Youthline – 0800 376 633 or text 234
 • 1737 – Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 to speak with a trained counsellor (24/7)
 • Emergency Services – 111 if you or someone else is in immediate danger

If you're unsure what you need, you're always welcome to reach out for a conversation about next steps.

Contact us