"As adoptive parents we are happy to recommend Samantha and her skills as an art therapist.
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Art therapy was not something we had heard of but were willing to give it a go if it was something that would help to our son in understanding that his past experiences were now in the past, and that they did not define the wonderful person within.
Samantha created a safe environment and was able to gain our son’s trust (a challenging feat in itself) and as the paced sessions progressed this allowed him to openly explore and express his emotions and feelings through art and creativity, and through Samantha’s patience and professional guidance he gained insight and an understanding of the past and present world as he saw it. The outcome was that he was less angry and resentful, displaying more positive behaviours and less destructive emotions.
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Samantha remained committed to our son's wellbeing throughout and provided detailed and insightful reports during the reviews, in addition to providing us with helpful advice and support on dealing with difficult issues outside of the therapy sessions."
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M&C Adoptive parents
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"At first I didn’t like going to therapy and found it difficult to talk to Samantha, but after a while it was good and we had fun. I made some really great things and once I got wrapped up in bubble wrap which was great fun. Samantha is kind and funny and I was able to talk to her about all sorts of things.”
R, Child
“Dear Hannah,
Thank you very much for all your love, care and hard work with Bobby* over the last two years. We were initially sceptical about what an Art Therapy intervention might be able to achieve. However, it has turned out to be as fascinating as it has life changing for Bobby and for us as a family. Whilst this time has come to an end, you have given us the tools to take it from here.”
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P&N Adoptive parents
*child’s name changed for confidentiality.
"My son spent two and a half years having art therapy with Arts Barge. He was very angry, dysregulated, and confused about his place in the world. It was a challenging journey for all of us but the results have been amazing. Now, he is a much calmer, kinder, empathetic boy. He has a clear understanding about his difficult start in life and the effects of those experiences. We worked on his life story and Arts Barge has produced a beautiful Life Story Book, which I know he will always treasure.
As an adoptive parent, having time to discuss and reflect with a skilled therapist was enormously helpful. Having a safe space to talk things through, share thoughts, feelings and emotions contributed greatly to helping our family move forward.
Attending the therapeutic parenting group has been a really positive experience. I have gained support from other adopters, sharing experiences, useful strategies, and having a few laughs along the way... The group is a safe space where you can share and ask for support. There is a real sense of community".
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Adoptive parent
“As a Social Worker I have worked within the role of Post Adoption Support for many years, and have worked with The Arts Barge Therapies for a number of years. I have witnessed and observed the skilful way they work alongside a child, enabling and supporting a child who is suffering from attachment trauma/anxiety difficulties to trust and invest in working alongside them.
Children that were ‘stuck’ in their emotional attachment have been able to reach out emotionally to their parents and begin to connect in a positive and trusting way.
I have observed parents who have worked in a dyadic approach with the therapist and their child to begin, in some cases for the first time, to really understand their child’s struggles and become more connected to the issues, working with their child to find a way through to a smoother, more regulated relationship that both the child and parent enjoy as never before” .
Kaye Bradley