North East Arts Therapies (NEAT)

Connecting Creative Arts Psychotherapists for growth, collaboration and community

What is NEAT?

The North East Arts Therapies group (NEAT) is a vibrant and inclusive community that brings together Creative Arts Psychotherapists from all four modalities (Art, Dance Movement, Drama and Music) who live and work in the Yorkshire, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear regions.

NEAT aims to support the development of opportunities for work, supervision, professional development, student placement and networking opportunities in the region. A multi-disciplinary approach to the creative arts psychotherapies is inherent within NEAT.

A supportive platform

Whether you are considering a career as a Creative Arts Psychotherapist, are a newly qualified or seasoned professional, or a respected professor, NEAT offers a supportive platform for networking, skills development, exchange of experience, and sharing of research.

  • Embracing all modalities

    At NEAT, we celebrate the similarities and differences between the creative arts psychotherapy modalities. We provide a space for clinicians to share insights, explore new techniques, and foster interdisciplinary collaborations.

  • Sharing research journeys

    There is also a research aspect within NEAT which gives members the opportunity to share their research with others, receive valuable feedback, and gain support for their research journeys.

  • Egalitarian and inclusive

    NEAT prides itself on being a community in which every voice is valued. NEAT members range from students to leaders in the field. We believe in creating an environment that fosters collaboration and peer-to-peer learning. Our events encourage all participants to contribute, share experiences, and inspire one another.

Opportunities for growth and connection

NEAT offers opportunities for connection and professional development.

Our annual two-day conference, held in April, serves as a hub for creative arts psychotherapists to come together, share their experience and expertise, and create new connections. There are also opportunities to take time for self-reflection and re-charging.

In addition to the conferences we organise Continuing Professional Development (CPD) workshops designed to address emerging topics in the field and develop skills.

9th NEAT Conference

Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th April 2025

Middlethorpe Hall Hotel and Spa, York

The theme for the 9th NEAT Conference is Working With and Across Boundaries .

The conference consists of a mixture of spoken presentations and experiential workshops. Presenters come from all four Creative Arts Psychotherapy modalities creating opportunities for sharing and collaboration across the modalities. There is also time for reflection through walks in the beautiful National Trust gardens, and bathing in the spa.

Cost: £195 including lunch and refreshments and access to the Spa facilities and National Trust gardens

Join us

Join NEAT and embark on a journey of professional growth, collaboration, and connection with fellow Creative Arts Psychotherapists. Together we can nurture and grow the field of the Creative Arts Psychotherapies in Yorkshire the North East.

NEAT conference testimonials

  • The NEAT conference is a great way for arts therapists of all disciplines to get to learn about how we each work, the similarities and differences as well as the possibilities for future collaboration. It has a strong northern focus, however most important of all perhaps, it is a celebration of how arts therapists collectively are making a difference in enabling those with whom we work to live more fulfilled lives. Long may it continue as a source of inspiration to us all. Thank you Allison for your work in making this happen.

    Richard

  • The NEAT conferences are a highlight of each year for me. Allison, always in collaboration with others, wove together so many strands: encouraging people to present, to participate, to network, to explore new potential links and much more. As a result, a fertile ground of rich growth-potential was spread and continues to encourage and inspire. Her strong research background, and extensive multi-modal experience and passion, inform her gentle but assertive approach. It seems to bring forth new excitement and challenge for all present

    Deirdre

  • "I have found NEAT to be an invaluable resource for networking and keeping in touch with other arts psychotherapy colleagues. Allison is great at passing on details regarding new courses, latest research developments in the field and work opportunities. I have also attended and presented at several NEAT conferences in the wonderful setting of Middlethorpe Hall, York, which provided a platform on which to come together with other arts therapists sharing innovations in their related disciplines.”

    Mary

  • I have attended Allison's NEAT conference for the past three years and always enjoyed the mix of experiential learning and case study presentations as well as the opportunity to meet skilled practitioners from a range of backgrounds. Some of the creative explorations have been outside my comfort zone but they are the ones I probably learnt most from! It is valuable CPD for all arts therapists but also great just to share experiences in a supportive environment.'

    Steven

  • Many thanks indeed for the opportunity to present at your beautifully organised and beautifully friendly conference. We all absolutely loved the conference - the venue the gardens and the high quality food and of course the spa all amazing! Many many thanks and well done to Allison for gathering and inspiring us all and giving us a sheltered space to come together and connect! She is absolutely brilliant.

    Amanda

  • Thank you for such an uplifting experience this weekend. It was so well planned with such a variety of presentations full of inspiration. The care Allison brings to the whole conference shines through so I would like to thank her for all the hard work that brings it altogether.

    Jennie

  • I had such a positive experience as both participant and presenter when attending Allison’s recently curated Arts Therapies Conference/Retreat in York. She demonstrated a gentle and clear sensitivity to achieve the best from everyone. It was an inspiring and engaging process in building community.

    Susan S

  • "I particularly look forward to the NEAT conference. It’s great to see familiar faces who share the challenges of the isolation that comes from working in places where Arts therapies are not so well understood and employed. However the thing I enjoy above all else is the inspirational discoveries that come from multi-modality working. I came away from the weekend feeling like I was one of many Arts Therapists in Yorkshire rather than one of a dozen or so Dramatherapists in my region. My thanks to Allison Singer whose experience as a Dramatherapist and Dance Movement Psychotherapist and whose interest in Music Therapy and Art Therapy enables her to have such a brave vision.”

    Louise

Questions about NEAT?