Thinking about support for your child or young person?
Book a complimentary initial consultation to explore your child's needs and discuss how Artricia Therapy may be able to help.
Understanding the Support I Offer
Every child and young person experiences challenges differently. Sometimes feelings and experiences can become difficult to understand, express or manage, and having a safe space to explore these can make a difference.
At Artricia Therapy, I offer independent art psychotherapy for children and young people experiencing emotional, social and psychological difficulties. These may include anxiety, low mood, loss, bereavement, difficulties with relationships and the impact of challenging or traumatic experiences.
Through creative and relationship-based approaches, children and young people are supported to explore their thoughts and feelings, make sense of their experiences and develop a greater understanding of themselves.
As an HCPC-registered Art Psychotherapist, I recognise that every child is unique. My approach is shaped by each child's individual needs, experiences, strengths, interests and stage of development.
I aim to provide a safe, thoughtful and supportive therapeutic space where children and young people feel listened to, understood and respected.
Is Art Therapy Right for My Child?
Art therapy can support children and young people experiencing a wide range of emotional, social and psychological difficulties, including those with more complex mental health needs.
At Artricia Therapy, I work independently and primarily offer therapeutic support consistent with Tier 2 within Scotland's Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) framework.
Working independently does not mean working in isolation. I recognise the importance of a collaborative, multi-agency approach and, where appropriate, work alongside parents, carers, schools, healthcare professionals and other services involved in a child's care.
An initial consultation provides an opportunity to understand your child's individual needs, consider any existing support and explore whether art therapy is appropriate.
Where more specialist or intensive mental health care is needed, art therapy may still be beneficial alongside other services, provided appropriate support and arrangements are in place.
My priority is to ensure that every child receives the right support for their needs, with their safety and wellbeing at the centre of decisions.
When Might Other Support Be Needed?
Artricia Therapy is not a crisis or emergency mental health service. As an independent practitioner, I do not have the specialist clinical resources or crisis response arrangements needed to manage significant or immediate risks to a child's safety.
Additional or specialist support may be needed when a child or young person is experiencing:
- Significant, frequent or escalating self-harm.
- Suicidal thoughts, particularly where there is intent, planning or immediate concern for safety.
- Severe or rapidly worsening mental health difficulties.
- Mental health needs requiring specialist assessment, ongoing monitoring or intensive multidisciplinary care.
These difficulties do not necessarily mean that art therapy is unsuitable, but it is important that the appropriate level of specialist support and risk management is in place.
Where needed, I may recommend assessment or additional support through your child's GP, NHS CAMHS or other appropriate services.
For further information about NHS Specialist Children's Services, including CAMHS in Glasgow, please see Specialist Children's Services - NHSGGC.
Confidentiality and Keeping Children Safe
A trusting therapeutic relationship is central to art therapy. Children and young people need a safe, confidential space to explore their feelings and experiences, while parents and carers remain an important part of their support network.
Confidentiality is respected, but there are limits where concerns arise about a child's safety or wellbeing. If I believe a child, young person or another person may be at risk of harm, I have a professional responsibility to take appropriate safeguarding action.
This may involve sharing relevant information with parents, carers or other professionals. Wherever safe and appropriate, I will explain this to the child or young person and involve them in the process.
Information may also be shared, with appropriate consent, to support collaborative working with other services. All information sharing is guided by relevant legal, professional and safeguarding responsibilities, with children's safety and wellbeing at the centre of decisions.
For further information about how I protect children and young people, please read the Artricia Therapy Safeguarding Statement.
Urgent Mental Health Support
Artricia Therapy does not provide emergency or out-of-hours mental health support. Emails and messages are not continuously monitored.
If you are concerned about your child's mental health, self-harm or suicidal thoughts, please seek appropriate medical advice.
- GP or existing mental health team: Contact them for advice and assessment.
- NHS 24: 111: Available 24 hours a day for urgent mental health advice in Scotland. Choose the mental health option.
- Emergency Services: 999: If your child is in immediate danger or there is a risk to life, call 999 or attend your nearest A&E department.
Please do not wait for a response from Artricia Therapy if you have urgent concerns about your child's safety.
Further guidance is available from NHS inform: Get Urgent Mental Health Help.
Helpful Resources for Parents and Carers
Support for Children and Young People
Online mental health and wellbeing support for young people, including emotional support, self-help resources and moderated activities. Free access depends on age and local availability.
Free, confidential support for children and young people under 19, available by telephone and online.
Telephone: 0800 1111
Free, confidential, 24-hour text support for anyone experiencing emotional distress or struggling with their mental health. Text SHOUT to 85258
Information and resources to help young people understand their feelings, manage worries and look after their mental wellbeing.
Confidential emotional support for anyone who needs someone to talk to, available 24 hours a day.
Telephone: 116 123
Information and Support for Parents and Carers
YoungMinds: Parents and Carers
Advice and resources for parents and carers supporting children experiencing anxiety, low mood, self-harm and other mental health difficulties.
Information and advice for parents and carers concerned about a child or young person's mental health.
Practical advice about children's emotional wellbeing, behaviour, development and family life.
Reliable health information, including children's mental health and accessing appropriate NHS support in Scotland.
Free, confidential emotional support for parents, carers and other people aged 16 and over experiencing low mood, anxiety or distress. Telephone: 0800 83 85 87
Self-Harm Support
Information for parents and carers about understanding self-harm, responding supportively and helping a child or young person access appropriate support.
A specialist organisation providing information, training and support relating to self-harm and suicide prevention, including resources for individuals, families and professionals.
A Scotland-wide service offering information and support for people affected by self-harm, including families and professionals.
Information and resources about self-harm, including guidance for people who self-harm and those supporting them.
Self-harm does not always indicate suicidal intent, but it should be taken seriously. If you are concerned about your child's safety, please seek advice from their GP or an appropriate mental health professional. For urgent concerns, contact NHS 24 on 111. If there is immediate danger or a risk to life, call 999 or attend your nearest A&E department.
CAMHS and Specialist Mental Health Services
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde: Specialist Children's Services
Information for families about specialist children's services, including CAMHS.
Parent Club: Getting Support from CAMHS
Guidance for parents and carers about accessing specialist mental health services in Scotland.
Additional Support Needs, Autism and Neurodiversity
Independent advice for parents and carers about additional support for learning, children's rights and accessing appropriate support within Scottish education.
Information about children's learning, additional support needs and working with schools to ensure appropriate support is in place.
A Scottish organisation offering autism-specific information, advice and support for autistic people and their families.
National Autistic Society Scotland
Information and guidance for autistic children, young people and their families, including education, wellbeing and understanding autism.
A Scottish charity providing advice, advocacy and support for neurodivergent children, young people and their families, including those with autism, ADHD, dyslexia and other neurodevelopmental differences. A formal diagnosis is not required to access its support.
Bereavement
Information and support for children, young people and families experiencing bereavement, including guidance for parents and carers.
Bereavement support for children and young people, including advice and resources for families supporting a child following the death of someone important to them.
Bereavement support for people in Scotland, including children, young people and families coping with grief and loss.
Family Support
A Scottish charity providing support for children and families experiencing difficult circumstances, including family stress, trauma and concerns about children's wellbeing.
Parentline Scotland: Children 1st
Advice and emotional support for parents and carers concerned about family relationships, children's behaviour, wellbeing or challenging family circumstances. Telephone: 0800 28 22 33
Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs
Confidential information and support for families affected by someone else's alcohol or drug use, including its impact on children and young people.
Practical advice and support for single-parent families in Scotland, including family wellbeing, financial concerns and navigating changes in family circumstances.
Support for families experiencing relationship difficulties, separation or divorce, including family mediation and child contact services.
A Scottish charity providing information, advice and emotional support for children, young people and families affected by the imprisonment of a family member. Support includes helping families navigate the emotional and practical challenges of having a loved one in prison.
The organisations and resources listed are independent of Artricia Therapy and are provided for general information and guidance.
External websites, services, contact details and eligibility criteria may change without Artricia Therapy being notified. While every effort is made to provide reliable resources, Artricia Therapy cannot guarantee the accuracy or availability of information provided by external organisations.
Please check directly with the relevant organisation for the most up-to-date information. These resources do not replace professional assessment or emergency mental health support.
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