Hello there, I’d like to share with you why I chose to call my Art Therapy practice “Sarsen”.
I am based in the county of Wiltshire in the South West of England; I was raised here and now practice as an Art Therapist across the county. Wiltshire is an ancient, mystical place and is famous for its standing stone circles; notably Stonehenge and Avebury. The majority of these stones across Salisbury Plain are called Sarsen stones and they stand as icons for all that is mysterious and awe-inspiring about humanity’s prehistoric past, they have mystical importance and hold much intrigue. The Sarsen stones portray an image of being a strong solid foundation present within the landscape, which houses a quietness, an interest and a sense of stability.
Working as an Art Psychotherapist I am always curious and interested in people’s own narratives; the internal and external landscape of their lives. During Art Therapy sessions, I like to take an Environmental Art Therapy approach which feeds into a personal interest in natural materials and nature itself.
Using the word Sarsen to represent the natural materials in the therapeutic work I do, therefore, feels relevant.
Art has always offered a way for us to express ourselves, especially when we face confusing or difficult feelings that we struggle to find words to describe them. Working in nature using natural materials offers an intuitive way to express ourselves which can be intrinsically healing, providing ‘bottom-up’ processing of our difficult feelings leading to self-soothing and emotional regulation.
Engaging artistically within an art therapeutic relationship is containing, and can facilitate and help the person to reflect on their feelings, thoughts and experiences through their art-making.
Often referred to as the 'triangular relationship' between the artwork/art-making, the artist and the therapist, is a key tenet in Art Therapy, and this requires the careful, thoughtful and steady consideration of a qualified Art Therapy practitioner to navigate.
Julie Jackson - Sarsen Art Therapy.
