In the same way that other therapeutic interventions utilise play or music as non-verbal modes of surfacing difficult emotions, art psychotherapy focuses on the act of creation: on giving a person some pens and some paper and letting the unconscious mind do the rest.

“Often, it’s too difficult for people to verbalise things,” says Lois. “And sometimes, they don’t have the capacity to talk about what they need to talk about. The emotions that regulate a person’s internal world tend to be difficult to reach normally. In art psychotherapy, we help people express those emotions: they come out in the art, in the mess the person made in making it, or simply through how they feel while they’re putting pastel to paper.”

Attendees are given a variety of artistic mediums to work with. This isn’t limited to pencils and paper but, as Lois puts it, “Things that can make a mess, and things people have never used before; sensory tools, such as pastel, glitter, and 3D work.” (Even toys and musical instruments aren’t off-limits.)

That said, art psychotherapy isn’t an art class. The goal isn’t to make beautiful art – or even something identifiable as ‘art’ – and there’s no specific skill level required. Instead, it’s about the process of creating that art – and the way it can unlock the trauma trapped in the cage of the conscious mind.

“It’s not about how the art looks, or how other people perceive it. It’s about what’s being made; what’s being felt. And what’s being discovered along the way.”

At ellenor, Lois works with patients, and their family members, in both a one-to-one capacity and in an open session. Typically, attendees are the bereaved family members – children, grandchildren, or siblings – of ellenor patients; or even patients themselves. What’s more, art psychotherapy is effective for children and adults: Lois has worked with children as young as nine and with adults in their 60s.

But although the ages of the people attending Lois’s sessions differ, the heart of her approach doesn’t.

Each session is completely non-directive. That means Lois never tells anyone what to draw, or which colours to paint with. Sometimes, she’ll help a person get started by placing their pencil or pastel to the page: but beyond that, it’s all patient driven. This – coupled with art psychotherapy’s resounding focus on the specific needs of each patient – means that no two sessions (and no two works of art) are alike.

That said, there are differences in how Lois tailors her art psychotherapy sessions to children and adults at ellenor. Children, in particular – who are used to the rigid rhythms and routines of school and everyday life – aren’t always comfortable with the “complete freedom” a non-directive approach offers. And, unlike adults, they’re not always sure why they’re there. Once these hurdles are overcome, though – and once trust is built with the child – art psychotherapy can be highly effective.

“Children bring a lot, consciously and unconsciously, because unlike adults they don’t have defence mechanisms built up over years to protect them from the world. They give a bit more.”

Art psychotherapy at ellenor also, Lois adds, provides a special kind of neutral, unbiased space for children to explore feelings associated with grief and bereavement.

“This is a space that’s not a school; I’m not a teacher, or a family member. Children can say what they want or how they feel, without repercussions – I’m not there to tell them off, or to dictate what’s right or wrong. I don’t judge what they say, so they can be truly honest with me.

“The children are relaxed; they can relate to me. That’s when it all comes out.”

As for parents, Lois explains, they too can struggle to find a space to process grief and bereavement: a space separate from their loved ones, where they don’t feel compelled to ‘stay strong’ by keeping quiet. Art psychotherapy gives them both that space, and that time, to grapple with those feelings – without the pressure of conventional therapy, or the need for stoicism around their family.

Lois – who is reaching the end of her nine-month placement at ellenor – has seen her course-mates go to placements in the NHS and in schools for children with special needs, even into prisons.

But, despite some early jitters about what a hospice placement would be like, Lois is absolutely loving life at ellenor – and any gloomy misconceptions about the place were soon debunked. “There’s this common perception about hospices: that they’re all about death. But actually, there’s so much life. And so much to people, and to people’s families, that you get to see working in a hospice like ellenor.”

Asked to define ellenor in three words, Lois says: “Welcoming; community; united.”  Continuing, with a larger word count, she adds: “My experiences at ellenor have been so valuable. All the people you get to be around – from all social classes – have made it so unique.”

What’s more? Lois has found, in ellenor, an environment that’s receptive to her passion.

“There’s a general feeling among art psychotherapists that the discipline isn’t taken seriously. And it’s difficult having to prove to psychologists and psychiatrists how valuable it is. I like that I don’t have to fight for art psychotherapy at ellenor. It’s valued and recognised (as I am) which is lovely to be part of. I’d recommend a placement here to anyone looking to grow as a person – and a professional.”

Lois’s placement manager was Catherine Aird, and her clinical supervisor was Jolanta Martis, ellenor's Play Therapist. Lois also collaborated closely with the Wellbeing team while developing her art therapy group. ellenor has been supervising creative therapy students since 2018, highlighting its commitment to supporting the next generation of healthcare professionals through its student placement program. The Play Therapy and Wellbeing team were instrumental in this collaborative effort, ensuring that art psychotherapy continues to be a valuable and recognized part of ellenor’s services.