The art of note-writing: Art therapy and clinical notes

This paper explores the writing of art therapy clinical notes as a creative practice. Reflecting on the author’s own experience of note-writing and on drawing on ideas about the artistic nature of the therapeutic work within art therapy, it considers how art therapists’ artistry might influence the writing process and the qualities of the notes themselves. The author suggests that the production of clinical notes can be seen as part of the artistry of art therapy and describes how a creative approach to note-writing might benefit the therapeutic process and be helpful to other professionals involved in a client’s care.