The Healing Power of Art Therapy in Eating Disorder Recovery with Jessica Mackney

This week, Han is joined by Jessica Mackney, an HCPC-registered Art Psychotherapist passionate about how art therapy can help people explore experiences that may be difficult to put into words and build meaningful therapeutic relationships, while increasing awareness of the role art therapy plays in supporting recovery in eating disorder treatment. Working from a trauma-informed, non-judgemental approach, Jess supports people across the lifespan with eating disorders, autism, SEN, and complex trauma, across the NHS, education, and non-profit sectors, with a particular focus on young people and eating disorders. In this episode, we explore:What art therapy actually is beyond common misconceptions ("just drawing or painting")How the relationship between therapist, client and the artwork itself carries meaningWhy perfectionism and control (often present in eating disorders) can make engaging with art materials difficultHow art therapy offers a route into communication when verbal expression feels inaccessible or unsafeThe role of choice, agency and non-judgement in the therapy spaceWorking with people who are non-verbal or struggling to access words for their experienceHow the connection between body, senses and materials can support reconnection for those with eating disordersHan's own experience of art, perfectionism, and rediscovering creativity after her eating disorderHow art can hold and express difficult emotions — including anger and frustration — safelyWays people can explore the benefits of creative expression at home, distinct from clinical art therapyConnect with Us:Subscribe to the Full of Beans PodcastFollow Full of Beans on InstagramCheck out our websiteListen on YouTubeConnect with Jessica via LinkedIn. ⚠️ Content Note: This episode includes discussion of eating disorders, disordered eating, and self-harm. Please take care while listening, and know that this podcast is always here to come back to.