So, what is art therapy?
“Art Therapy is an integrative mental health and human services profession that enriches the lives of individuals, families, and communities through active art-making, creative process, applied psychological theory, and human experience within a psychotherapeutic relationship” - American Art Therapy Association
Art Therapy
You know how there are times when you are feeling all these different emotions and yet you can’t find the words to express what you are experiencing? Using lines, shapes, colors and movement can be a way to express those feelings in a different way, without having to solely rely on words.
It is my belief that creating art is a means of allowing parts of yourself to come forward. A way for you to tell your own story. Sometimes that looks like play, relaxation, and stress relief, and sometimes it is creating an image that allows for deeper personal reflection.
As an art therapist…
I believe in the power of art to allow for deeper conversation with individuals without having to rely solely on words. Art therapy brings awareness to additional ways in which individuals can express themselves and connect with their inner creative source.
You don’t have to consider yourself and artist to get the full benefits of art therapy! I’ve worked with many people who have some familiarity with art materials, and I’ve worked with many who haven’t picked up a crayon since second grade. As long as you have an openness and willingness, art therapy can be for you.
What if I'm not an artist?
Art therapy is about the process of creating, rather than the product you create.
Sometimes that looks like utilizing watercolors to slowly dance across the page, truly focusing on what it feels like to be present in this moment.
Sometimes it looks like drawing your frustrations about trying to meet everyone’s needs and scrunching up the paper as tight as you can to release some of that built up energy.
Or maybe it looks like creating a space to imagine what the feeling of self-love might look like and finding magazine images that that represent that feeling.