Art therapy is where art and psychology intersect. Art Therapy is a mental health profession that uses art making to help clients work through varying issues that are impeding their sense of wellness and mental health. Neuroscience research is now providing evidenced-based results that validate the effectiveness of art therapy on changing neural pathways in the brain that lead to new perspectives, new behaviors and promotes a balanced sense of self.
Many clients feel interested and yet intimidated by the art making process since most adults stopped creating art in their early high school years. In art therapy we don’t focus on the aesthetics or the technique of making an “artistic” image, but rather we are focused on the “what” that comes out from your process. You are not restricted in art therapy to just drawing; art therapists are trained to use a variety of materials to help clients safely express in images what they may not be able to express in words. Materials may include clay, pastels, watercolors, or collage just to name a few.
In sessions, clients can make artwork and afterward we may discuss what the image means to them and how it relates to what they are working through. Clients can also bring in artwork they made at home to process with me in the session. Sometimes just the act of making the art piece can lead to insight and changes in perspectives without having to verbally process its meaning. Artwork created by clients can reveal information from their unconscious or subconscious that contributes to profound insights and leads to change.
Art Therapy can help to…
- Process and integrate traumatic experiences in a way that reduces flooding and overwhelm.
- Foster a sense of play and creativity as you work through difficult issues.
- Offer an opportunity for self-expression when words are not enough.
- Take what is inside your mind and body to a place outside of you to gain a new perspective.
- Empower you to acknowledge and validate your true feelings.
- Tackle a challenging issue in a new way when traditional talk therapy techniques have not worked.
- Tap into deep emotions or past experiences that may be in your unconscious or subconscious and are blocking you from making progress and getting “unstuck.”
- Identify new coping skills and strategies.