A safe and creative space: setting up an Art Therapy Practice and room

When I started studying to become an art therapist in 2009, the last thing I ever thought I would be doing, was running my own business. I became an art therapist because I believed that art therapy was a powerful form of therapy that could help people on so many different levels. Certainly, the Masters course does not prepare you for thinking about business as we are trained to thoroughly understand the process of psychotherapy and art therapy. But here we are, fifteen or so years later. I decided to take the leap from working for organisations to being self-employed, initially to have a better work/life balance. There was something very appealing in working for myself. I certainly did not realise that the journey would be, and continues to be, quite a challenge, though it is a welcomed one!

Take for example, finding a room. It is a basic, fundamental need as an art therapist (and as any in-person therapist), to have a safe, quiet, confidential space to conduct sessions. However, as an Art Therapist with the vast amounts of art materials, equipment and toys/games I need, I would at the very least need a cross between an art studio and a consulting room; a private, confidential space that allows me to use art materials in the session, let alone store art materials and art work. It is surprising just how many therapy rooms are actually available in or near Reading. But problematically, very few therapy rooms are child friendly, art friendly and carpet free.

Art friendly spaces are in themselves difficult to find. Talking to local artists and linking with local organisation like www.Jelly.org.uk has led me to understanding that art making spaces are difficult to come by here. As much as Reading has many offices, semi-industrial spaces are harder to find, as they tend to get knocked down and remade into high rise flats or fancy offices, too often with carpets!

Spaces that have considered and welcomed my practice, were not in suitable areas such as industrial/business parks. Other establish practices, had smaller rooms that did not have a desk or storage. I would effectively have to fundamentally change the way I practice or carry a desk with me to the venue! I even considered making a 'therapy bus' (which has been done by others) but the complexities of this (permits, parking, licences, etc) would have made it very impractical and resource heavy.

On my little journey, I have also come to the realisation that if the spaces do not exists, then does this not lead on to an exclusion of children, young people and adults, that cannot access traditional talking therapies? I suspect that this could be a whole other article to write about.

Some of the materials that I have available for clients to use

Young Children are also welcome

So my dilemma of finding a space meant that I could not join an established practice. The frustration of not having a space led me to deciding to take an even bigger leap and leasing a room myself. I am lucky enough to have some resources to be able to do this. With the guidance and encouragement of friends, family and other therapists who have done this themselves, I am excited to say, I was able to find a room. It's not perfect but as I have come to learn in life, it is important to seek 'progress not perfection,' and to be more 'like water' at times, going with 'the flow,' and be less like 'stone' (i.e. don't be rigid with expectations!)

It is possible to set yourself up as a self-employed therapist and lease your own room. If like me, you need to have a physical space to work from and cannot/don't want to join an established practice, I suggest the following when looking for a room:

• Network with others (if you don't ask, you don't get) as you never know who might have their own space to hire or know of someone who does;

• Search online on sites like Gumtree, Facebook or even ask letting agents about spaces;

• Consider turning your spare home space into a therapy space. This point is harder for some who do not have spare rooms, a garden pod/annex. Some people are not comfortable with the idea of hosting clients so close to home. Definitely risk assess and consider how it might be if for example, your young client needs to use the toilet. Would they need to go through your home to reach it? Where would a parent wait?

  
  

Once you find a suitable space to lease, then consult with someone like a solicitor who can help you navigate the leasing agreement.

Setting up can feel overwhelming at first, but with careful planning and review of what you already have in terms of resources, it is possible!

If you're a therapist and need a room to practice from in Reading, Berkshire, have a look at the images on this blog and get in touch!

Madeline Magistrado, an Art Therapist and Supervisor located in Reading, Berkshire, welcomes individuals of all backgrounds and identities to her practice. The content of this blog is based on her personal experiences and intended for information purpose only.