What is Art Therapy?
Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses a safe space, therapeutic relationship, and some creative mediums like artmaking or playing to help people work through their feelings, process experiences, or even learn new skills. It's all about expressing yourself without judgment and using the creative process to improve your overall well-being!
Sometimes, it's hard to put your feelings into words. That's where art therapy comes in. You can use metaphors, symbols, and even roleplay to express yourself in a way that feels safe and comfortable. And the best part is that you don't even have to talk if you don't want to! Art therapy can be effective even when you are not directly or verbally addressing your experiences because the art-making process itself can be therapeutic.
As an art therapist, my main goal is to provide a safe and supportive space where you can explore your thoughts and feelings through the creative process each week! I will always have a variety of art materials and activities that are tailored to your unique needs, interests, and struggles. I also understand that everyone's therapeutic journey is different, so I will follow your lead and adjust to whatever might come up along your therapeutic journey. By being in charge of what we do each session, you might develop a sense of trust and confidence in yourself that can lead to long-term personal growth and healing, and we can focus on what feels right for you each time we meet.
In a nutshell, art therapy is a fun, creative, and effective way to work through your emotions and improve your well-being. So why not give it a try?
Why Does Art Therapy Work?
Artmaking and other creative experiences facilitated by an art therapist offer individuals a way to express and process things that may feel beyond words, as the brain is more willing to discuss, show, and process through creativity as it is fun, non-direct, and abstract. By exploring things that often feel out of reach, a person may develop new approaches, perspectives, and solutions which may lead to higher levels of well-being, resiliency, and capability. And this is proven through research! Research shows that artmaking improves brain plasticity and creates new connections through neural pathways in the brain, allowing for development of many beneficial things such as fine motor skills, emotional balance, and self understanding.
Taking part in artistic and playful activities can feel like a safe or fun way to express things that might be difficult to share otherwise, and with an art therapist like me, these things can be witnessed, validated, and in time, conquered!
Some general reasons for positive outcomes after attending art therapy may include the following:
Activities during art therapy can serve as an outlet for individuals to express their emotions and feelings, which can help regulate their emotions and improve their overall well-being.
Artmaking and play during art therapy can provide a sense of calm or containment that reduces feelings of stress and anxiety.
Creative expression stimulates multiple areas of the brain, including those responsible for fine motor control, problem-solving, and emotional regulation.
Art therapy activities empower the client, as they are often catered towards the client’s strengths and needs, allowing them to discover, problem solve, and overcome things in a way that will boost their feeling of capability.
Process-focused artmaking and play can combat perfectionism or a fear of failure, as clients learn to embrace imperfection due to an increase in resiliency and flexibility.
Participating in a therapeutic relationship can help clients develop their social and emotional skills, such as communication, empathy, and teamwork.
An art therapist is trained to observe unspoken things (such as behaviour or symbolic language) in a way that allows them to understand what may be happening, and help facilitate the session in a way that aids the client on their personal journey. The art therapist’s presence is the difference between art making and art therapy!
These are just brief examples! If you have more questions, click the buttons below or ask me personally to explain the “why” and “how” of art therapy as something that works!