Art Therapy
What is Art Therapy?
I have been an artist most of life. The times I abandoned art making were the most difficult times in my life. Art making is a tool of self expression, and when we don't have some way to express ourselves our emotions become repressed often leaving us stuck, feeling anxious and depressed.Art Therpay is a powerful tool for uncovering and bring to light all that is inside of you.
My training is in art, sociology and psychotherapy. I studied fine arts in undergrad and later switched to Sociology. Much later I discovered the field of Art Therapy. I found a discipline which would allow me to combine my passions for art and helping people as they heal within the context of society and our relationships. I could use what I knew about art making and my own mental health to help others. I then completed a dual masters in Art Therapy and clinical mental health counseling.
In my practice today, I utilize the process of art making to help people work through their mental health struggles, and to build on their strengths as a means to self-actualization. Rather than only having the tool of words and verbalizing, we can use visual art as an additional tool, and unlock so much more. I often see things come out in one art piece that would have taken weeks or months for a person to realize and articulate in words!
Art Therapy sessions look different for each individual or group. Sessions may be a combination of art making as well as discussion. Art Therapy can include making art in the session, or creating art at home, and then processing the finished piece in our next session. Sometimes we may even simply doodle or scribble while talking. This is utilizing bilateral stimulation- activating both right and left brain. This allows us to more deeply process old memories and replace them with new, more helpful neural pathways.
Art Therapy may utilize drawing, painting, collage, 3D, creative writing, fiber arts or photography. The process of art making, the creating itself, is healing. We can feel instantly relaxed by creating a dreamy watercolor painting or mindfully knitting, right? When making art you are using both your right and left brain, you are problem solving and working through issues as you work. We are also more likely to retain information from a visual. We remember what we see in a visual aid more than a lecture, and its the same with art. If you create an image of your healing or action plan, its more likely to stay with you than just saying it.
Do you have to be good at art? No! I promise it does not matter what the finished art piece (the product) looks like! We are not going for frame worthy art pieces- although sometimes we get those for sure. Art therapy is not art class, you are not being judged on creative ability or skill level. Stick figures are welcome! The important part is the process of art making. And, in the finished product, we get lots of good stuff too! Again, regardless of skill level, shapes, symbols, colors, and placement on the page, all begin to reveal important themes and discoveries that we can process. That is where the magic happens!
Check out these links below to learn more about the magical, healing power of Art Therapy and reach out to schedule a session today!
Is Art Therapy For Me?
IS ART THERAPY FOR ME? Art therapy can be a healing space for all individuals — all ages, all mental health needs, all life experiences. Check out some of the reasons below that people prefer Art Therapy over other modalities!
I TRIED TALK THERAPY. One of the most healing aspects in therapy is the connection between client and therapist. It is within this therapeutic relationship that a client can grow, practice healthy relationship patterns, and explore what is no longer working in your life.
Just like all therapists will not be the best match for all clients, talk therapy might not be the best fit for all clients. The art speaks for the client, a tangible representation of your thoughts and feelings. If you tried talk therapy and it didn’t feel right, art therapy might be a better fit.
IT’S HARD FOR ME TO TALK ABOUT MY FEELINGS AND LIFE EXPERIENCES. Perhaps you grew up in a household where feelings weren’t discussed. You grew into adulthood with a limited emotional vocabulary, and it’s difficult to explain how you feel. Your emotions might build up and feel overwhelming, but you haven’t found a way to express them that makes you feel any better. Art therapy provides a safe place for all emotions: the comfortable and uncomfortable. All humans experience all emotions, and there are no bad emotions—just uncomfortable ones. Having an outlet through artwork enables us to look at what’s going on and explore the full range of emotions and memories from a safe distance.
I’VE EXPERIENCED STRESSFUL AND TRAUMATIC SITUATIONS IN MY LIFE. Our brains are built to protect us. One of the ways in which we cope with stressful or traumatic experiences is by unconsciously (and automatically) engaging the body and brain’s trauma response. When this occurs, memories from the events are stored in our survival brain — an area of the brain that is sensory and lacks language. By using imagery to bypass the frontal lobe, that part of the brain responsible for logic and reasoning, we can tap into stressful experiences and create an opportunity for healing.
Art therapy can also be incredibly helpful for children. If you’re a parent and see your child struggling to express their emotions (or trying to cope with situations that seem too big), Art Therapy can be a means of processing that feels very natural to kids.
I CONNECT WITH THE CREATIVE PROCESS IN MY PERSONAL LIFE. If you identify as an artist, enjoy dabbling in a creative practice, or remember enjoying art class in school, art therapy can be a more comfortable way to express yourself. Use these strengths to help your personal growth!
BUT.... I'M NOT GOOD AT ART. This is the comment I hear the most! If you can sit in the initial discomfort of creating even when you ave no idea what you are doing, and be willing to make "ugly" art, you will be amazed at the results. If you feel this way, as many people do, I can hold space for you and help you mindfully move through the process. We will listen to and get curious about your inner critic. When did art stop being fun? When did you decide you had to be perfect at everything you do? When did you lose the joy you may have felt as a child coloring, doodling and scribbling? Great growth can occur from confronting these questions. Often when people realize that they can try something new and be ok with being bad at it, they will have the courage to do this in other areas of their lives.