Coaching

Coaching with art is a very powerful approach enabling you to work quickly and deeply, unlocking your potential in a creative and dynamic space. It gives you a deeper awareness and understanding of the issue at hand and allows you to gain shifts in perspectives that lead to greater insights and meaning.

It can be very transformational.

‘I could never have imagined that the art would be such a powerful facilitator of thinking and lead to such powerful and rapid breakthroughs… I found it completely fascinating that we should have covered so much territory in an hour and a half…[and] that these truths have emerged so quickly and profoundly, enabling me to articulate what have until now been nothing more than gut feelings.’ Sam, Director Professional Organisation

Case studies

The following case studies help to give you an insight into how art based coaching works and how clients have experienced and benefited from coaching with art;

‘I have been struck by the progress achieved through the medium of art. I’m sure that I have unravelled things much more quickly than might otherwise have been the case. I have had coaching with Anna before so I know what an incredibly able coach she is, but bringing art into the equation seems to amplify her impact still further. I’ve found it incredibly powerful. I never cease to be amazed at what emerges apparently from nowhere.’ Jo, Executive coaching client

If you would like to know more please do get in touch for an exploratory conversation.

The following are the most common questions I get asked and through the answers you will find more information about what art based coaching is, and how it could benefit you.

• Is coaching with art right for me?

  Coaching with art is for any one. It is as simple as that. It is more about whether art based coaching is the best approach for the area you want to work on. If the area you want to work on fits within those listed below in ‘What can I use art based coaching for?’ then almost certainly art based coaching will be for you.

   

  If would like to talk through your coaching requirements and whether art based coaching is for you please contact me for a no-obligation chat.

   

  ‘There’s no doubt that for me the image making was absolutely key to helping me over-ride my thinking brain and access my more knowing self.’ Annette, private client

• What can I use art based coaching for?

  Art based coaching is highly successful where:

   

  • You want to make sense of and resolve an area of importance to you
  • You want to understand and make sense of complex and/or paradoxical feelings about a situation you are in
  • You have a sense of ‘knowing’ and want to make your ‘knowing’ visible and tangible so you can do something with it
  • You want to articulate what seems impossible to you
  • You feel that there is too much going on and you can’t make sense of it. Perhaps feeling overwhelmed by possibilities and ideas
  • You want to break through your thinking loops so you can achieve what you want to
  • You want to change a repeating pattern of behaviour that you feel is holding you back
  • You want to stop going around in circles and get on with what it is you want to do
  • Perhaps you have had coaching before and not yet managed to make those shifts and changes you were hoping for
• Do I have to be creative?

  No, no and more no! Art in this context is not about creating masterpieces, it is about creating images that mean something to you. It is about your self-expression through colour, line, form and texture and it could be a painting, a drawing, a collage or a sculpture…or a mix of things! This is something we can all do. You don’t have to be able to draw or consider yourself to be creative.

   

  Take a moment to look at the images in the gallery. These are all images created by people in art based coaching sessions and give you a real sense of what I mean by ‘art’.

  ‘I found the whole process of art based coaching really enjoyable. For someone who doesn’t use art materials, I actually loved the process and experience of using the materials, especially the big chunky sticks and flicking the watercolour paint. At first, I found it rather daunting – not knowing what to use and where to start. It all felt really unfamiliar. But I noticed an almost childlike enjoyment of playing with the various materials and colours.’ Annette, private client

• What’s involved?

  Coaching with art is the same as all coaching as well as being different!

   

  It is the same as all coaching in that it is a private and confidential space that is tailored to your needs. It is a space without judgement where we work together on what is important to you and what you want to achieve from your coaching programme.

   

  Your coaching programme is discussed with you and we agree the number and duration of those sessions depending on what your needs are. This conversation starts with what we call a chemistry call, and if we both feel we can work together this is further expanded through contracting – agreeing how we want to work together and how the coaching programme works.

   

  Coaching with art is different in that I invite you to create images as a means to deepen your awareness and understanding of what you bring to a coaching session. These images are not intended to be masterpieces, they are your images that mean something to you. It is about your self-expression through colour, line, form and texture and it could be a painting, a drawing, a collage or a sculpture…or a mix of things!

   

  Coaching with art is also a starting point. The exploration of your image gives you a deeper awareness and understanding of the issue at hand. It allows you to gain shifts in perspectives that lead to greater insights and meaning. Your art is central to this but it is not the whole picture. Through your insights and discoveries, I may integrate other ways of coaching as appropriate to ensure you get the best from your programme and maximise your success. This may be other tools and techniques or the simple coaching framework of listening, questioning, reflecting back and challenge. I may also invite you to do more art. I have had some clients create 4 or more images in a session and some who only create one.

• Where do we work together?

  I invite you to work with me in my studio which is in a lovely part of Wiltshire, where you have access to a wonderful range of materials for your exploration and discovery.

  It may be possible for us to meet in another location. It may also be possible to work virtually, however if you are new to coaching with art, I would not recommend this initially. We can talk this through when exploring working together.

   

  ‘Visiting Anna’s home and studio were a delight. I loved the whole experience, the drive there, the location, the stillness, the warm welcome, scene setting and gentle challenge throughout. The session worked for me at an unconscious and environmental level – a perfect storm – and have left me feeling good about the future.’ Kiera, Self-employed