“Offering a space to explore the analogous dichotomy between Art as Therapy and Art in Therapy.

Art in Therapy is a professional clinical practice led by a qualified Art Therapist who uses art as part of the relational process associated with Art Therapy, with a focus on treating mental health issues. During Art Therapy sessions, attention is given to the process and meaning behind art objects and artistic creations. Art as Therapy is a wider, informal self-care approach accessible to all, where creative activities can be used for relaxation and personal expression, and connection can occur between individuals outside of professional therapeutic frameworks.”
— Poppy Love Oldham, Founder of 'Art as Therapy', Socially Engaged Artist and Art Psychotherapist

Poppy love oldham

( she / her )

Socially Engaged Artist

HCPC and BAAT Registered Art Psychotherapist

based in South East London, UK.

Art Psychotherapist

Socially Engaged Artist

  • BA Interactive Arts, Manchester Metropolitan University

    Set Design, Sculpture & Decorative Arts, Accademia Belle Di Arti, Venice Italy

  • My visual diary can be found in the musings tab where you can explore exhibitions visited, things made and other things of interest..

  • 2025 "Inner Landscapes“ Goldsmiths University, London

    2024 "Parallel Process" Goldsmiths University, London

    2023 "Play" Goldsmiths University, London

    2022 "Dialect and Heritage" in collaboration with the Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes, Yorkshire Dales

    2022 "Summer Show" in collaboration with the National Maritime Museum's Saturday Art Club, Somerset House, London

    2018 "Processions" in collaboration with artists and makers at Rural Arts, North Yorkshire. Taken on "procession" across central London.

    2017 "Art Club" in collaboration with Rural Arts, Thirsk, North Yorkshire

    2015 "Interactive Arts Show" Manchester School of Art

    2014 "Arte Al Mare" Ospedale al Mare, Lido, Venice

  • I often use cloth, clay and paint with people, helping them connect with themselves and those around them. My work aims to break down the barriers that we can all face when making art.

  • Research Skills: Oral History, Audacity Editing and Otter Transcription Training, Oral History Society

    Dementia Friends Training, The Alzheimer’s Society

    Reminiscence Arts Training, Age Exchange

Teacher and supervisor

  • For trainees wanting structured, supportive supervision that aligns with HCPC requirements.

    60-minute sessions available from Summer/ Autumn 2026

    See more in ‘For Therapists’…

  • I am an award-winning teacher and have delivered accredited and non-accredited learning programmes to a wide range of individuals for over a decade. This includes Level 1 and Level 2 Creative Crafts qualifications for adults and Arts Award qualifications for those under 25 years old.

    For five years, I also worked to support neurodiverse adults develop skills and confidence to undertake employment, training and volunteering programmes. I have overseen the learning and development of large teams of volunteers and also line-managed individuals on apprenticeships and internships.

  • Developing Supervision Skills, The British Psychotherapy Foundation

    Level 3: Facilitating Learning & Development (Teaching Qualification) City & Guilds

    An Intro to Unlearning Racism & Unconscious Bias, The Racial Justice Network

    Specialist Training in devising activities for Early Years, KS1, KS2, KS3 & KS4, We are IVE

    LGBTQIA + Training, Barnado’s

  • The Arts Award inspires children and young people to develop leadership and arts skills. In my role as an Arts Award Moderator, I have supported over 100 Arts Award qualifications across various levels and collaborated with numerous charitable and heritage organisations to enhance their Arts Award offer.

    Discover, Explore, Bronze, Silver, Gold Arts Award Advisor and Moderator, Arts Award

Art made in art therapy can be messy With aspects usually discarded It can be an intervention with space Or objects shuffled around Something often overlooked or not handled Be felt as something sharp Something sticky or something connected
“Holding” - A process artwork that I made in 2024, to consider layers of entwining embraces. The piece depicts my intention in my practice to acknowledge the systems, families, organisations and wider networks around my clients. In my pr
In June 2024, I was invited to do a piece of work for families in touch with the Foundling Museum as part of their learning and participation programme. I wanted to share some of the incredibly touching Founding Hospital Tokens which I was drawn to
“Process Artwork” / “Response Artwork” / “Reflection Art” is when an art therapist creates their own artwork to process, explore and metabolise complex emotions and material arising from client sessions. While so
I find my work as an Art Therapist often overlaps with the work that I do as a Socially Engaged Artist… Within the profession there is a lot of consideration about the differences between “Art In Therapy” and the “Art As Ther
In 2022 I worked in partnership with English Heritage and The Royal Society for Blind Children a charity which offers a range of services including emotional support and practical advice for families. As part of English Heritage’s youth progra
“Hostile” 2024 🪹 A piece I created after reading papers on the connections between architecture and therapy. I made the nest by weaving together metal and wood. It helped me consider systems in conflict and competition with one another a
In 2024 I was commissioned by CNWL Trust to support their staff at Westminster Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service to facilitate five participatory visual arts sessions which aimed to create a space tor wellbeing, which was aimed at staff. Ea