What is Art Therapy?

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Art Therapy is a form of expressive therapy that uses the creative process of making art to improve a person's physical, mental and emotional well-being.

This self expression can help to resolve issues and manage feelings and behaviors, reduce stress and improve self-esteem and awareness.

 

Art therapy can massage one’s inner-self in a way that provides the individual with a deeper understanding of him or herself.  Art therapy, encourages people to express and understand emotions through artistic expression and through the creative process.  Art materials, such as paints, colored pencil, chalk, clay, collage and markers can be used. 

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Art therapy involves the creation of art in order to increase awareness of self and others. This in turn promotes personal development, increase coping skills, and enhance cognitive function. Art therapists are trained in both art and psychological therapy.  Through creating art and reflecting on the art products and processes, people can increase awareness of self and others, cope with symptoms, stress and traumatic experiences; enhance cognitive abilities; and enjoy the life-affirming pleasures of making art.

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Do I need to have skills in art to do Art Therapy?

You don't need to be an artist to receive the benefits, anyone can do art therapy, old and young. You need not be “afraid” of expressing yourself through art. Though it may seem different and unnatural at first, it is typically because the individual is not used to communicating via the arts.  One of the major differences between art therapy and other forms of therapy is that most other forms of communication use the use of language as a means of communication.  Often times, humans are incapable of expressing themselves within this limited range. I can work with you to dive into the underlying messages communicated through your art, which will aid in the healing and awareness properties.

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