Rachael Murphy, BA, MA, MSC 

Child & Adolescent Art Psychotherapist

The Individual Centered Approach

Welcome to C.A.A.P able Hands – Child & Adolescent Art Psychotherapy

Where creativity meets care, and healing begins.

I'm Rachael Murphy, a qualified and experienced Child and Adolescent Art Psychotherapist, offering a warm, safe, and non-judgmental space for children, teenagers, and families navigating emotional or mental health difficulties.

At C.A.A.P able Hands, you truly are in capable hands – supported with compassion, creativity, and clinical insight.

Whether your child is feeling overwhelmed, anxious, withdrawn, angry, grieving, or struggling to cope with change, art psychotherapy offers a gentle but powerful way to explore and express difficult emotions, when words fall short.

What is Child Art Psychotherapy?

Child Art Psychotherapy (CAP) is a specialist form of therapy for children and adolescents that uses image-making alongside verbal reflection to support young people's emotional well-being.

Grounded in psychodynamic and person-centred approaches, CAP creates a therapeutic space where every drawing, painting, scribble, sculpture, or collage holds meaning. This helps children and teens understand themselves better, build emotional resilience, and process complex experiences.

Importantly, no artistic skill or "being good at art" is required-the focus is on free, creative expression where every mark or creation is meaningful and valid. This process allows young people to communicate feelings that may be difficult to express verbally, helping them process trauma, anxiety, loss, or other challenges.

Who Can Benefit?

Child & Adolescent Art Psychotherapy (CAP) can support young people facing a wide range of emotional, behavioural, and developmental challenges, including but not limited to:

• Anxiety, low mood, or depression
• Trauma, loss, and bereavement
• Emotional outbursts or difficulties with regulation
• Attachment issues or relationship struggles
• Self-harm or thoughts of self-injury
• School refusal or academic pressure
• Low self-esteem or body image concerns
• Difficulties with social skills or peer relationships
• Identity exploration and emotional overwhelm
• Family separation, conflict, or change
• Communication difficulties or feeling emotionally "shut down"
• Experiences of being neurodiverse (e.g. sensory sensitivity, social challenges, or different ways of processing the world)

By providing a pressure-free, outlet for expression, CAP supports young people in gaining confidence, improving emotional regulation, and developing healthier coping strategies

Why Choose C.A.A.P able Hands?

Qualified and Experienced Therapist

I hold an MA in Child, Family and Community Studies and an MSc in Child Art Psychotherapy. With over 20 years of experience supporting children, adolescents, and families, I bring deep understanding and clinical expertise to my work.

Individualised, Person-Centred Care

Every child is unique. I tailor each session to meet your child's individual needs, creating a warm, collaborative space where trust and safety come first.

Creative Expression Without Pressure

Your child doesn't need to "be good at art." The focus is on emotional expression, not artistic skill—every mark made is valid and meaningful.

Convenient Dublin Location

My therapy space is easily accessible to families throughout north Dublin and surrounding areas.

How Does Child Art Psychotherapy Help?

At the heart of Child & Adolescent Art Psychotherapy is a trusting therapeutic relationship. Many young people who come to therapy have experienced relationships that were inconsistent, overwhelming, or hurtful. Relational healing—through a safe, attuned, and non-judgemental connection—can be transformative.

I specialise in building positive, respectful relationships with young people of all kinds, including those who may feel guarded, misunderstood, or unsure about therapy. Through consistent attunement and a person-centred approach, I help each child or teen feel seen, heard, and valued.

Within this safe therapeutic relationship, art becomes a bridge to self-expression and healing. Young people are supported to:

• Safely express difficult or overwhelming emotions
• Make sense of confusing or distressing internal experiences
• Strengthen emotional resilience and self-awareness
• Improve communication and social interaction
• Explore identity, belonging, and self-worth
• Develop practical tools for coping with stress and life challenges

The creative process itself is often deeply therapeutic. By externalising their inner world through art, young people can begin to process feelings and experiences that may be hard to put into words—on their own terms, and at their own pace.