Art Therapy is a therapeutic modality that involves an art therapist and client working with the creative art making process to support a client’s physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Working with the creative process allows people to reach deeper levels of healing that talk therapy alone cannot always do.
If you have trouble expressing yourself verbally or find yourself unable to describe your experience with words, then working with art can help you express yourself without the use of words. Studies have shown how trauma impacts the verbal language area of the brain making it difficult to use or even find the right words to effectively verbalize traumatic events. The ability to use images and symbols can facilitate healing when words fail. Creating art can also feel like a safer way to express yourself which also ignites the healing process. Visual and symbolic expression can empower individuals and help develop self-awareness, explore emotions, address unresolved emotional conflicts, improve social skills, and raise self-esteem.
You do not have to be an artist to engage in art therapy. This is a common concern and fear of many people who are not familiar with art therapy. You do not need to know how to draw or paint or do anything. You are not responsible for creating a great masterpiece. Art therapy focuses on the creative process itself. It is about what is coming up for you while you are creating. As an art therapist we will not be judging or critiquing your art. We are with you to support your process and make sure you feel safe.
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