INTERVIEW WITH NICOLE YEO
What does Art Therapy mean to you? And when did you first realize that you wanted to be an art therapist?
We each carry a rich tapestry of life experiences shaped by both pain and joy. I’ve always gravitated towards roles that involve listening to people’s life stories, and it was during my undergraduate research on war and trauma that I first encountered art as a powerful, non-verbal language. I was struck by how art could hold emotions and narratives too complex for words.
My turning point came when I met an art therapist working in a humanitarian setting. She used community-based art therapy to bridge divides between fractured communities and help war survivors express what their inner-world. It was during those sessions that I witnessed how art could support individuals but whole communities. That was when I decided to consider a career in art therapy.
How did you find out about The Red Pencil (Singapore)?
Interestingly, I first heard about The Red Pencil (Singapore) in 2017 through an art therapist I met in the Middle East – even before I had considered art therapy as a career. She told me about this organisation from the tiny red dot of Singapore that was making a global impact.
In 2018, I applied for the RPS scholarship and got involved in their programs while pursuing my Master’s degree. Volunteering with RPS gave me insight into their mission and values, and after graduating and completing my scholarship hours, I was fortunate to join the team full-time from 2022 to 2024.
What is the greatest joy of being an art therapist?
One of the greatest joys and lessons has been learning to stay humble in the therapeutic process. Every client reminds me of the resilience and creativity we each carry within us. In each session, I’m inspired by how they express themselves, confront difficult emotions, and find hope through art. It’s a privilege to journey alongside someone as they navigate life’s challenges, uncover their inner strength, and move forward with confidence.
“We each carry a rich tapestry of life experiences shaped by both pain and joy."
Can you share with us more about the greatest moment or most unforgettable experience you have had thus far working with The Red Pencil (Singapore)?
One of my most unforgettable moments with RPS was during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. While those days may feel distant now, I still remember how the team rose to the challenge, quickly adapting the art therapy service to meet the growing emotional needs of clients who needed it most.
I facilitated art therapy sessions both online and in youth community settings, with safe-distancing measures in place. Even in such a constrained environment, I witnessed the undeniable power of art therapy to create connection, resilience and hope. You can read more about it in our 2021 RPS Annual Report in Darren’s Story of Change!
What are some of the challenges you have experienced as an art therapist, and what do you think are some common misconceptions about art therapy?
A common misconception is that art therapists “read minds” or interpret art like fortune-tellers—“Can you tell me what this means?”. In reality, our role isn’t to impose meaning but to facilitate a safe, reflective space where clients can discover meaning for themselves.
The art is a starting point, not a diagnostic tool. It’s the client’s lived experience and insight that guide the process of self-discovery and positive change in their lives. One of the challenges is gently correcting this misconception while maintaining trust and openness in the therapeutic relationship.
" One of the greatest joys and lessons has been learning to stay humble in the therapeutic process; every client reminds me of the resilience and creativity we each carry within us.
How does being an art therapist affect your life?
This work has humbled me deeply. It’s taught me to embrace both my strengths and my limitations, and to trust the creative process—not just in therapy but in life. Using art as a means of self-expression has helped me stay grounded, especially through uncertainty or setbacks. Walking alongside my clients has reminded me that we all carry both seen and unseen struggles. And even in the darkest moments, there is always the possibility of hope ahead.