About Samantha Davis
Art Psychotherapist | Speaker | Creativity & Wellbeing Specialist
Helping people reconnect with creativity as a pathway to psychological wellbeing and meaningful change.
Samantha Davis is a South African Art Psychotherapist with over 26 years of experience working at the intersection of creativity, psychology and human development.
Art Therapy Registration Number: AT 0000469 (view verification document here)
Practice Number: 067 000 0143162
Trained in Art Psychotherapy at the University of Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom, Samantha integrates psychodynamic psychotherapy, creative process and experiential learning to help individuals and groups access deeper insight, emotional expression and personal growth.
She runs a long-standing private Art Therapy practice in Cape Town and lectures in Art Therapy at the University of Johannesburg, where she facilitates experiential studio practice and supervises postgraduate students.
Credibility Snapshot
25+ years clinical experience in Art Psychotherapy
MA Art Psychotherapy – University of Hertfordshire (UK)
Lecturer in Art Therapy – University of Johannesburg
HPCSA Registered Art Psychotherapist
Facilitated 50+ professional Art Therapy intro programmes nationally
Speaker and workshop facilitator for organisations including Allan Gray, Hewlett Packard, FNB and government departments
Creativity as a Pathway to Understanding
Samantha’s work is grounded in the belief that creativity is a natural human capacity for reflection, communication and healing.
Many emotional experiences exist beyond language. Through the creative process, people are often able to access insights and feelings that are difficult to express verbally.
Using art-making as a reflective and symbolic process, Samantha helps individuals and groups explore:
- emotional expression
- self-awareness and identity
- resilience during life transitions
- personal meaning and growth
- connection between inner experience and outer life
Her therapeutic approach is primarily psychodynamic, integrating symbolism, imagery and creative exploration to support deeper understanding and transformation.
Clinical Practice
Since 2000 Samantha has worked with children, adolescents and adults in private practice.
Her work supports individuals experiencing:
- stress and burnout
- anxiety and depression
- trauma and loss
- emotional and behavioural challenges
- ADHD and neurodiversity
- addiction and eating disorders
- life transitions and identity exploration
Art Therapy combines creative expression and reflective conversation, allowing individuals to explore thoughts and feelings that may be difficult to express verbally.
Teaching, Training & Workshops
In addition to her clinical work, Samantha lectures and supervises students in the Art Therapy programme at the University of Johannesburg.
She also facilitates professional training programmes, workshops and experiential seminars for therapists, educators, organisations and corporate teams.
Her well-known 3 and 5-Day Intensive Introduction to Art Therapy has been facilitated more than 50 times nationally and is accredited for professional CPD points.
Samantha also designs and facilitates workshops exploring creativity as a tool for:
- emotional wellbeing
- reflection and insight
- team connection and communication
- leadership development
- stress management and burnout prevention
Working With Samantha
You can work with Samantha through:
- individual Art Therapy sessions
- group workshops and courses
- professional training programmes
- corporate wellbeing workshops
- conference talks and university lectures
If you would like to enquire about working with Samantha or inviting her to facilitate a workshop or talk, please get in touch.
📧 info@arttherapy.co.za
🌐 www.arttherapy.co.za
“I grew more than I thought possible.”
“For the first time in my life I have discovered my true identity and can now answer the fundamental question of who I am!”
“The magic that Sam unleashes through her knowledge is beautiful.”
“An inspirational, wonderful, creative self-exploratory journey, Thank you!”
“Thank you for a thought-provoking and inspiring class! You are a fantastic therapist with a very caring and compassionate approach to listening! You made each and every person feel important by allowing each one the opportunity to feel safe enough to open up! Thank you for that.”
“Sam, you are so experienced and it is evident in your facilitation. You are really good at your job and do it with such professionalism.”
“The course went beyond my personal expectations. I came thinking that we would mainly be learning about Art Therapy, which we did, but it was a big transformational experience for me which I was not expecting.”
“The Art Therapy was a gentle, creative and fun way to build trust and deliver outcomes. It was enjoyable and an extremely valuable experience in our Strategy workshop.”
“I didn’t realize how much I NEEDED Art Therapy. It was like rain falling on desert soil. And I have grown so much. My heart feels alive again. I will be back!”
“It was a time to forget about the problems and the world around me. Sam is a brilliant facilitator. Even though I was nervous, it was a time for me to reflect and to enjoy how therapeutic art can be. It calmed the storm that reigned inside of me. The Mandala Art Therapy workshop is like having a picnic next to a quiet river. You granted time to reach that point where you can become quiet and can experience the Universe.”
“A very comprehensive and thorough intro into Art Therapy. Covered a lot of ground in 5 days and left with a priceless manual and a warm glow.”
“It was the best week of my life, I learnt that I could always be happy as long as I was in a happy and comfortable space, and if I wasn’t I needed to create that space. I learnt that I was in control and all I had to do was to take charge and have fun and paint on a bigger board i.e. see the bigger picture. I am so grateful for the opportunity that came my way and that I was able to embrace and savor it.”
