A different approach to mental health
services
BACKGROUND
Therapy&Art was established in 2018 by Licensed Therapist, Nikita Smit, after a need for the use of non-verbal mediums during therapy was identified when working with people dealing with trauma. As a passionate artist and therapist Nikita first started exploring the use of art during group therapy sessions. This soon became such a popular attraction that she decided to explore the use of Art Therapy even more. After completing her Art Therapy course through Art Therapy South-Africa; she stared combining her knowledge and training of Trauma Therapy with Art Therapy and started presenting Therapeutic Art Workshops to adults, teenagers, children and companies.
This contributed to Therapy & Art’s main objective; to create a safe space where people can have the freedom to express themselves and work through their trauma without judgment. With the complex lifestyles of today there is a major need for alternative therapeutic approaches. Human beings are multi-dimensional and everyone has different personality traits, characteristics and emotional needs. Each individual therefore perceives and experience therapeutic processes differently and thus Therapy & Art offers a variety of services such as Workshops, Individual Therapy and Socio-Emotional Assessments of children.
Nikita Smit
licensed Social Worker & TiR Counselor
Nikita Smit is a registered Social Worker (BSW) and graduated from the University of Stellenbosch in 2012. She has since worked with adults and children in various mental health, educational, social care, and group settings. Nikita has substantial experience working with adults and children who struggles with moderate to severe mental health challenges; which include depression, anxiety, eating disorders, ADHD, trauma, PTSD, stress, substance abuse, and self-harm. She specializes in trauma and completed her training in TIR (Traumatic Incident Reduction) and Meta Psychology in 2015.
In her experience as a therapist, it became evident during sessions with clients that people who experience trauma often find it difficult to express their feelings and thoughts verbally. Nikita thus started exploring and utilizing art as an alternative therapy method after completing training in Art Therapy through Art Therapy South Africa in 2018.
She completed the socio-emotional assessment course in 2019 through FACT (Forensic Assessment Consultation Training) by Dr. Louise Aucamp. Nikita also has additional training and experience working with loss and bereavement. She completed her training in bereavement counseling through Qualilife in 2022 by Dr. Nelia Drenth.
Nikita started her own practice, Therapy & Art, in 2018; which offers individual therapy sessions, creative workshops for adults, children, groups, and corporates as well as socio-emotional assessments of children.
She resides in Pretoria with her family whom is very important to her. She is passionate about nature and adventure. Nikita is always up for a new challenge, enjoys being creative and empowering people to be the best version of themselves.
– Testimonials –
What People Say
Maryka Roux
Guest Speaker
“Nikita is loving and caring and has a natural way of teaching and helping you realize your own potential, through art and fun activities.”
Alecia Joubert
Facebook Review
“Nikita’s creative workshops are amazing. I have personally attended the mother and daughter workshop with my mother. It was fun, enjoyable and enriching. My mother and I connected in a way we rarely have time for in our regular everyday lives.”
Rekord Newspaper
Article
“Founder of Therapy and Art, Nikita Smit, hosted the Love Yourself Art Workshop at the Shed Coffee and Gift shop in Centurion on Saturday. One of the attendees Driana Zandberg said the workshop was very relaxing: “For a few hours, you could escape, reflect and find meaning in yourself again. I would definitely recommend it to anyone. We all think you need to be artistic to do art but that is not true, once you start an activity… everything makes sense.”
Elma Lombaard
Facebook Review
“I started going for therapy at Therapy & Art after many other attempts to get help. Nikita was committed to journey with me since our first session.”