My approach is  'trauma-informed pluralistic art psychotherapy' (Sibbett, 2003, 2014, 2016, 2019). This means that my work is pluralistic, with a core which is person-centred, trauma-informed and collaborative, and is also informed by diverse theories, e.g. humanistic, systemic, environmental, psychodynamic / attachment, existential / transpersonal, & CBT.

Practice in art therapy / art psychotherapy requires "a coherent approach" (HCPC, 2023). My 'coherent approach' features a coherent whole which has:

• a foundation of good governance (the roots) - laws, ethics (HCPC, BAAT), and governance related HCPC standards and BAAT guidelines. Plus quality assurance and clinical governance processes. This foundation supports and nourishes:

• a core integrative framework (the trunk & branches) which, in my case, is a synthesis of pluralistic counselling / psychotherapy (Cooper & McLeod, 2011, 2015; McLeod, 2015, 2018; McLeod & Sundet, 2016; Cooper & Dryden, 2016) and trauma-informed care principles (SAMHSA, 2014; Sweeney et al, 2016). It also draws on Clarkson's (1995, 2003) five relationship integrative psychotherapeutic framework.
  This integrative framework gives the guiding rationale for practice, i.e. for why, when and how I use and integrate the various:

  • diverse ELEMENTS (leaves / foliage) of evidence-based theories, their associated interventions, and other practice related competences.

A pluralistic theoretical framework emphasizes that there isn't one single, universally effective therapeutic approach for all clients. Instead, it promotes a flexible and collaborative approach, recognizing that different individuals may benefit from different methods at different times. This framework centres on client preferences, goals, and needs, integrating and tailoring various therapeutic techniques and models to best suit the individual.

My art psychotherapy approach is based on a relational integrative model of health, grounded in eco-biopsychosocial and systemic models, earth-caring values, and common factors research. It is a humanistic approach, informed by other evidence-based theories such as psychodynamic and attachment, systems, ecopsychology etc. It also encompasses eco practice: promoting eco-creativity and a reciprocal caring relationship with and for the rest of Nature.

I mainly use a metaphor or symbol of a tree to represent coherent approach featuring a coherent whole with its governance foundation supporting and nourishing an integrative framework guiding the diverse ELEMENTS of evidence-based theories and associated practices.

See Pluralistic Art Psychotherapy & Psychotherapy for more details.