Dannie Ashcroft

Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses creative expression as a way to explore thoughts, feelings, and experiences. It can help when words are hard to find, or when talking alone doesn’t feel like enough.In sessions, you’re invited to use a range of art materials — from paint to clay to collage — to express yourself freely. The focus isn’t on making ‘good’ art, but on using creativity as a way to connect with what’s going on inside. You don’t need to be good at art, and there’s no pressure to make anything in particular.Art therapy can be especially helpful in supporting emotional wellbeing, managing anxiety, processing grief or trauma, and developing greater self-understanding. It offers a safe, confidential space where all parts of your experience are welcome — even the messy or confusing ones.

About the profession

Art therapists are qualified mental health professionals, trained at postgraduate level. To practice legally in the UK, art therapists must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). As well as being HCPC registered I am also a member of the British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT) and follow their ethical guidelines.Please see the BAAT website for more information on the profession:

• baat.org

Confidentiality

Everything you share in art therapy is treated with care and respect. Sessions take place in a private, confidential setting where you can speak freely and create without judgement.What you say or make in sessions will not be shared with anyone else, unless:You give your clear permission, orThere’s a serious safeguarding concern (for example, if you or someone else is at risk of harm)As a registered therapist, I also receive regular clinical supervision — a standard part of ethical practice that helps ensure safe, effective therapy. Any supervision discussions are anonymised and handled with strict confidentiality.If you are the parent of a child or young person in therapy, I’ll always aim to keep you informed and involved in a supportive way, without breaching your child’s trust. Together, we can create the right balance of privacy and communication to support their wellbeing.Client artwork is also private — it’s kept securely during the course of therapy and only shared or taken home if you/ they choose to do so.

Art therapy can be for anyone, of any age. I offer one-to-one as well as group art therapy sessions for children, young people, and adults.Each session provides a confidential, supportive space where thoughts and feelings can be explored through creative processes — at your own pace and in your own way. No artistic skill or experience is needed.Whether you are navigating anxiety, low mood, grief, trauma, or simply need a space to reconnect with yourself, art therapy can help bring insight, release, and healing.

Who I work with

Children (age 5+)
Sessions are tailored to your child’s needs. I work closely with parents or caregivers to ensure the therapy is safe and supportive. A short parent consultation is included as part of the initial process.Young People
Teenagers often find art therapy a helpful way to express things that are hard to say. Sessions offer a non-judgemental, confidential space to explore what's going on beneath the surface — using image, metaphor, and creativity where words may feel too much or not enough.Adults
Many adults come to art therapy during times of stress, change, loss, or uncertainty. Others may be seeking long-term support for anxiety, low self-esteem, or past trauma.
Art therapy can offer a calm, grounded space to explore thoughts and emotions without pressure to explain everything in words. Through the creative process, insights can emerge naturally — often gently and gradually — making it easier to process difficult experiences or find new direction.

Pricing

One-to-one Art Therapy£50 per 50-minute session (the same standard fee for adults and children)£45 concession rate (low income or other agreed circumstances)£40 for art therapy traineesGroup sessions are also available - please get in contact to discuss prices.Sessions take place weekly, in person at an agreed venue in the Wigan area. In some circumstances online Zoom sessions can be held at a reduced rate (please contact for details).
You’ll have a regular weekly time slot, and sessions are held in a confidential, non-judgemental space.I also offer a free 15-minute introductory phone call — this is a chance to ask any questions and see whether art therapy with me feels like the right fit for you.