The Art of Listening
The Art of Listening provides structured, active listening sessions combined with creative activity.
Suitable for:
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Individuals seeking reflective conversation.
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Individuals interested in creative expression.
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Individuals seeking emotional clarity through speaking and being heard.
Active listening
creates a safe, non-judgmental space that fosters trust, reduces feelings of isolation, validates and gives clarity to an individual's emotions. By deeply hearing, understanding, and acknowledging someone's needs, it lowers anxiety and supports emotional regulation.
Key reasons that active listening is restoratively beneficial…
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By reducing the fear of criticism or blame, it helps clients feel heard and understood.
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It allows individuals to process their emotions better by providing a supportive environment for them to express their thoughts and feelings.
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It helps people self-identify underlying challenges.
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It offers a sense of relief, ‘getting something off their chest’.
Why Art?
This is not ‘art therapy’ nor is it ‘art tutorial’. We will not be asking clients to ‘draw their feelings’ or attempt to interpret the finished artwork for hidden meaning arisen from their subconscious. Neither will we be coaching clients on composition or colour theory. We do not have the qualifications or the experience.
Art is often abandoned in adults for many reasons such as; changes in their priorities, the fear of judgement, procrastination, becoming overly self-critical, lacking resources or forgetting how to play without inhibitions.
This is a tragedy as art has been shown in many contexts to support emotional wellbeing and reduce stress as it offers a non-verbal outlet for emotions. It can give a sense of accomplishment. It can boost self-esteem and resilience. It improves cognitive function, as it engages the mind and body in focused, creative processes that promote mindfulness and emotional release.
You don’t have to go far to find advice nowadays. Seasoned professionals in any given field are only a couple of clicks away. In the information age everyone is an expert, one YouTube video and you know all there is to know.
Moreover, as a society we have never been more egocentric, our opinions are easily measured as likes, and as soon as you get many likes you have been elevated to the status of an influencer. Everyone else knows what we should do, what is best for us and what we should think.
But being heard is rare. To talk to someone without them trying to bring the conversation back to them in some way is nearly impossible. What they think of the situation, how it reminds them of something that happened to them, what they think we should do or not do, and how they can fix us. There is an epidemic of unsolicited advice and its sad to say that a structured listening space seems to be a radical concept unless in a crisis. But it is said ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’.
Active listening creates a safe, non-judgmental space that fosters trust, reduces feelings of isolation, validates and gives clarity to an individual's emotions. By deeply hearing, understanding, and acknowledging someone's needs, it lowers anxiety and supports emotional regulation.
What we do and what we don't...
Our Listeners do not.....
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Attempt to diagnose or remedy mental or physical health conditions.
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Provide medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice.
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Attempt to fix, heal, or treat clients.
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Interpret artwork psychologically.
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Critique, give feedback or advise on the client’s artwork.
Our Listeners do...
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Provide attentive, present, non-judgmental, active listening.
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Maintain clear professional boundaries.
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Encourage client autonomy and self-reflection.
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Make observations from conversation and artwork to form reflective questions.
Safeguarding
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We are obligated to report to authorities if there is any mention of imminent risk of serious harm or death.
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We are obligated to report to authorities any mention of abuse, neglect or harm to children or vulnerable adults.
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We are obligated to report to authorities any mention of terrorism or threat to national security.
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In such cases we will relay to authorities what the client disclosed to the best of our ability and contact details we have on file, name, email and phone number.
Boundries
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If the Listener feels that the client is under the influence of alcohol or substances the session will be softly ended and the client given the opportunity to reschedule.
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We cannot engage in conversation related to a client’s current or planned illegal activity.
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No contact outside sessions, except scheduling.
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Sessions are limited to max 1 per week for 12 weeks after that a review will take place to assess suitability of continuation or pause.
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We do not offer emergency or ongoing support.
Confidentiality (GDPR):
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The only client data that is recorded and stored is clients name, email, phone number and emergency contact details.
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Calls will not be recorded unless requested by client by written request and even then we will not keep a copy of the recording.
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Written notes may be taken by the listener to help facilitate an open conversation but will be safely destroyed following the session.
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For exceptions see Safeguarding section.