Holding Space Art Therapy was founded by Kirsty Gbasai, an artist, creative practitioner and HCPC-registered Art Psychotherapist based in Manchester.

Kirsty’s path into art therapy started in community arts, education, youth work and arts for health. This work showed her how engaging in creativity and making art can increase wellbeing. Wanting to offer deeper, more sustained support, she trained as an art psychotherapist, combining creative practice with psychological understanding and relational care.

A relational, creative approach

Kirsty works from a relational and psychodynamic approach, where the therapeutic relationship and the creative process work together. Art-making isn’t a warm-up to talking, or a way of getting to words eventually. It’s a form of communication and processing in its own right, sitting alongside the relationship between therapist and client as a core part of the work.

• No previous artistic experience needed
• Person-centred and neuro-affirming throughout

Her practice recognises how past experience shapes how we feel, relate and respond now.

Who she works with

Kirsty is an art psychotherapist for neurodivergent adults and young people, including those who:

• Are neurodivergent, or think they might be
• Experience differences in sensory processing, communication, attention or emotional regulation

A formal diagnosis isn’t required. You don’t need to identify with any label to start.

Sessions offer space to slow down and explore things like anxiety, depression, grief, chronic pain, burnout, difficult relationships and life transitions, at a pace that works for you and shaped around your communication and sensory needs.

Professional background

Kirsty is:

• An HCPC-registered Art Psychotherapist
• A member of the British Association of Art Therapists
• An artist and experienced creative practitioner
• Backed by 15+ years in community arts, education, youth work and arts for health

She offers individual art therapy for adults and young people, therapeutic groups and commissioned work with organisations.

About Holding Space

Therapy doesn’t have to happen in a clinical room. Holding Space is built on that idea.

Kirsty currently offers art therapy at Manchester Museum, as a Top Floor partner, alongside online sessions. She also works with organisations exploring how art therapy can fit into civic, arts and cultural settings.

Art Therapy in Civic and Cultural Spaces

Values

Relational. The therapeutic relationship comes first.

Accessible. Built around each person’s practical, sensory and communication needs.

Thoughtful. Care, attention and respect for individual pace.