Art therapy

Art therapy is a mental health service where an individual recovers from adverse experiences or strives for healing and authenticity by communicating and bonding with the art therapist while expressing themselves spontaneously through art materials. Creativity is used to solve life’s problems and find meaning in life’s events.  No art experience or skill is needed, it is not about creating an artwork, but rather using the process of creating something to guide discussion and expression. To use art materials and making as metaphors for that which we do not have words for. While your hands are creating something physically, you are re-creating yourself, into a person who you better understand and care for. Art making is not a necessity, and one is welcome to merely talk in the therapy session, but I encourage you to come see what you can discover about yourself by playing around with some art materials.  Art therapy is a recognised mental health profession in South Africa. In order to be an art therapist one requires a Master's degree and registration with the Healths professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) who regulates the profession to ensure ethical practices and the development of a fairly new and exciting profession in South Africa according to strict international standards. ​Because of this registration a client can pay for the services through medical aid. Anyone practicing art therapy without this registration faces criminal charges. ​

Art therapy is for just about anyone. Anyone can benefit from self-reflection and development. It is especially helpful for those who are non-verbal or struggle to express themselves verbally. It is one of the preferred methods of therapy for anyone wanting to recover from trauma, as it has been proven that embodied work, such as art therapy, is a more effective trauma intervention than traditional talk therapy.  Kara Schoeman is experienced in working with:  Children (children under 5 years of age need to be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Children with developmental & educational needs Perinatal women (pregnancy and post-birth) Parents Adults Groups Individuals who are neurodivergent LGBTQ+ GBV victims Elderly individuals Individuals from varied religions and cultures Individuals in rural areas Families Individuals with addiction and their loved ones Individuals with mental or physical diagnoses Patients in hospitals Patients in psychiatric care

A private session between you and Kara, a space where you can find healing and growth by expressing  yourself through talking, art making, playing or embodied work. The sessions are beneficial to those who have any mental health or physical challenges, who are neurodiverse, who have diagnoses and to anyone who would just like to improve their quality of life and life satisfaction.

Weekly group art therapy sessions where art materials are explored in a group setting to offer connection, companionship, community and an opportunity to work on one's relations with others.

The art therapy room, is a space where you and your partner can discover new ways of communicating. Creative problem solving form the base of couples art therapy, where new habits are formed and where vulnerability leads to intimacy.

Workshops are once-off sessions in a group setting where you explore a specific theme. Eco-Art Therapy - finding mindfulness in nature Trauma recovery Addiction  Welcoming your new baby Finding Authenticity

Kara Schoeman is an artist, a psychology educator, and now an art therapist. She has a BA degree in Fine art, an Honours degree in Psychology, an Honours degree in Art Therapy, and a Master's degree in Art Therapy.  She worked as a fine art lecturer and still works as a psychology facilitator at the University of the Free State. She recently became an art therapist after 9 years of studying towards the profession. She is the first art therapist in her region of the Free State. She also practices in the neighbouring region of the Midlands in KwaZulu-Natal. ​Kara Schoeman is a warm, authentic and deeply empathetic person who is accepting and easily restrained from any judgment. Book a session with her to see if you are a therapeutic match.