ART THERAPY YORK
EMMA COOPER
ART Therapy York
Providing support to adults and young people through creative activities
Meet Emma Cooper
Accredited Art Therapist
I’m a qualified and HCPC-registered Art Psychotherapist based in York and the surrounding area. I offer therapy to young people and adults, either in-person or online, depending on what works best for you.
In sessions, you can choose to talk, make art, or a mix of both. You don’t need any art experience — creative work is simply another way to explore your thoughts and feelings when words are difficult to find.
I support people with a range of challenges, including anxiety, low mood, identity struggles, school-related stress, emotional regulation difficulties, and sensory overload. Sessions are always tailored to individual needs.
Alongside therapy, I’ve created two online therapeutic art activity packs designed to support emotional wellbeing in a flexible, accessible way. These can be used at home, in schools, or alongside therapy.
1. Neurodivergent Support Pack (dyslexia-friendly)
This pack is designed for neurodivergent learners, particularly those with dyslexia or differences in sensory processing or executive functioning. Activities gently explore:
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Identity and self-esteem
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Emotional regulation
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Sensory processing
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Communication
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Executive functioning skills
The pack is dyslexia-friendly, with minimal text, visual step-by-step instructions, and prompts that support autonomy and confidence.
2. General Wellbeing Pack (for neurotypical users)
This pack supports emotional expression and self-care for young people or adults who may not identify as neurodivergent, but who want to explore their emotions creatively. It focuses on:
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Emotional expression
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Self-care and wellbeing
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Sensory and emotional regulation.
🖌 What’s included in each pack:
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Clear, step-by-step visual art activities
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A list of materials needed for each activity
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A selection of specialist creative materials you might not have at home — such as felting wool, plasticine, collage packs, textured papers and other sensory resources
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Reflection prompts to support insight and conversation
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Optional guidance for parents, carers or facilitators
See more on Instagram: @arttherapyyork — reels show what’s in the packs and how they’re used.
The packs can be used on their own or alongside online art therapy sessions with me. They’re suitable for individuals, families, and professionals working with young people.
I currently work in the NHS with CAMHS and have previously worked with York Mind’s Young People’s Team. My background also includes working in schools with the City of York’s Specialist Teaching Team and Traveller and Ethnic Minority Support Service. I’ve also worked in an NHS inpatient setting on a women’s ward, supporting more complex mental health needs.
I offer a small number of private therapy places alongside my NHS work.
Why Art Therapy?
Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses art media as a form of expression and communication. There may be things which you cannot say in words, this could be because the emotions are too distressing, you may struggle to identify how you are feeling, or because something is hard to say or talk about. Art therapy offers you a safe space to share something that is affecting how you feel, think or behave.
Art therapy is a creative way of exploring your thoughts and emotions by using colours, shapes, and images to express how you feel instead of words.
You don't need to be good at art; it's more about the process of creating rather than the end result being perfect.
During the art therapy session you have access to a range of art and craft materials for painting, sculpting, collage-making, or even just doodling.The cool thing about art therapy is that it is really flexible and completely centred around you as an individual where you can decide the amount of time you spend making art and the amount of time you spend talking.
Time is allocated at the end of each therapy session, for you to have time to talk and think about the artwork in relation to your difficulties, to help you understand yourself better, and gain insight and for change to occur.
Art therapy can help young people better understand thoughts, feelings and behaviours, and to bring self-awareness and understanding and help towards managing feelings and gain autonomy.
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Give you a voice to communicate your thoughts and feelings
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Enhance your self-esteem and confidence
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Enable you to develop healthy coping strategies
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Promotes self-awareness and discovery
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Recognising your own growth and inner strength
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Highlight personal strengths and challenge negative thinking
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Improve your relationships.
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Explore connections between past experiences and present circumstances.
Benefits of Art Therapy
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Mental health and young people
Dealing with the world we live in
Factors affecting mental health
Many factors affect mental health in young people including adversity, bullying, pressure to conform in friendship groups and exploring identity, media influence and gender norms can worsen the contrast between real life and their future aspirations.
Promotion and prevention
The aim is to strengthen an individual's capacity to regulate emotions, enhance alternatives to risk-taking behaviours, build resilience for managing difficult situations and adversity, and promote supportive social environments and social networks
Low mood and anxiety
Low-mood and anxiety are common among young people. Depression and anxiety share some of the same symptoms, including rapid and unexpected changes in mood.
Anxiety and low-mood can affect school attendance and schoolwork, and social withdrawal can worsen feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Behaviour
Behavioural issues are more common among young people. This includes those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Behavioural issues can also affect education and self-confidence around learning.
1 / How many sessions do I need?
This is individual and is dependent on many factors, we will decide the number of sessions during the early stages. Your therapeutic journey will be regularly reviewed, and the number of sessions assessed depending on the level of support needed.
4 / What will we talk about?
2 / Is it confidential?
Yes, it is confidential. What is shared between you and the therapist is confidential, and this information will not be shared with parents, GP’s or schools. However, if there is a safeguarding issue or a risk of immediate harm to you or someone you talk about confidentiality will be broken. This will be discussed in further detail if you decide you want to go ahead with therapy, and will be written in the Art Therapy contract.
4 / What will we talk about?
3 / What will we talk about?
During our initial conversations, we will explore a little about what is going on for you, and work out some goals for art therapy and counselling support. We are generally steered by what you express or feel during the session.
4 / What will we talk about?
4 / What happens in the session?
Usually, we start the session checking in on how you are feeling. You have the option of using the session to talk through your feelings, or use some of the session to engage and express your feelings creatively, and then some time to talk about what has come up for you during the session.
4 / What will we talk about?
Frequently Asked Questions
What people say
"Emma really understood my emotions and talked them through with me."
"I learned new ways to cope with my anxiety."
"Art therapy helped me by being creative and realising what is happening for me."
Making an appointment
🎨 Discovery Call or Creative Pack Enquiry
Finding the right therapist — or the right resource — matters.
Whether you're exploring art therapy sessions or looking into the therapeutic art activity packs, an initial conversation can help.
Please complete the form with a few details, and I’ll be in touch to arrange a convenient time to chat. We can talk through:
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How therapy works and whether it's a good fit
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Any particular areas you'd like support with
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Which creative pack might suit your young person, classroom, or setting
If you decide to go ahead with therapy, I’ll email you a copy of the Art Therapy contract before our first session.
Appointments & Creative Resources
Therapy appointments are available both in-person and online, depending on what suits you best. Sessions are 1 hour long and take place either in a dedicated art therapy space or via a secure video platform.
If you decide to begin therapy, we’ll agree a regular day and time for your sessions. You’ll also receive an Art Therapy contract outlining how we will work together. For young people under 16, parental consent is required before sessions can begin.
If you're interested in the therapeutic art activity packs, these can be used:
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On their own, at home or in schools
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With guidance from a parent, carer, or professional
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Alongside online sessions with me for additional support
You can order a pack by filling in the enquiry form, emailing me, or sending a DM via Instagram @arttherapyyork
