what is art therapy?

Art Therapy is a mode of therapy used by and for many different types of people and presenting issues. This type of therapy uses creativity and expression in order to communicate and access different parts of the brain, memory, and the body. There is not one type of art therapy or one type of person it works well for and there no need to be an artist in order to participate in Art Therapy. (At this point I’ll refrain from launching into a “We are all artists lecture.”)

I often explain Art Therapy to my very young clients this way (but this description is so simple and straightforward that maybe it will resonate with you as well): When you meet someone who speaks a language you don’t speak, you know how you have to figure out a way to communicate? Sometimes you use your hands, gestures, maybe there’s some words you have in common or understand? Eventually you figure out a way to get your point across and that feels good, right? Art Therapy is like that. Art and creativity is a language we can speak together.

Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses creative expression as a means of exploring and processing emotions, thoughts, and experiences. Through various art forms, such as painting, drawing, sculpting, and collage, individuals can create visual representations of their inner worlds, which can help them gain insight, promote healing, and foster personal growth.

Art therapy can be beneficial for individuals experiencing a range of mental health challenges, such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and addiction. It is also effective for individuals who have difficulty expressing themselves verbally or who may feel overwhelmed by traditional talk therapy. By engaging in the creative process, individuals can communicate their thoughts and feelings in a non-verbal way, which can be particularly helpful for those who struggle to find the words to express themselves.

At the heart of art therapy is the therapeutic relationship between the client and the therapist. Art therapists are trained mental health professionals who use a range of techniques to help clients explore their inner worlds and work through unresolved issues. They provide a safe and supportive environment for clients to create and process their artwork, and they work collaboratively with clients to identify goals and develop strategies to achieve them.

Art therapy can take many forms, depending on the individual's needs and goals. It can be used in individual or group therapy settings, and it can be combined with other forms of therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or mindfulness-based therapy. Art therapy is a flexible and versatile form of therapy that can be adapted to meet the unique needs of each individual.

MATERIALS AVAILABLE

There will be a variety of materials available in the office to use, some or all of them you may have used before or you may not be familiar with any of them. That’s okay, I will help you try out new materials if you’d like. There are also a very of toys and games for therapeutic play, which are available for clients of all ages to use.

WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR WORK?

You are free to take home any work you create in session that you would like. Some work may be important to the therapeutic process and I may ask to keep it in the office until your time in counseling comes to a close. All other work I will keep for two years after our work together and then respectfully dispose of.

FAMILY ART THERAPY

Sometimes there are specific directives I may ask families to do together, this helps gives me a sense of how families work together and communicate. There is no way one to complete these directives and no right or wrong way to make art.

WHAT IF I DON’T THINK ART THERAPY IS FOR ME?

Art therapy or therapeutic play are not for everyone and that’s okay! I will never force anyone to create art that does not want to, but it may become a topic we discuss in therapy. That doesn’t mean that you can’t contact me if you' think I’d be a good fit for you or your child.