When Words Aren't Enough
Have you ever had emotions and sensations that seemed impossible to find the words to convey? Have you ever experienced a sense of feeling numb or disconnected from your emotions? Have you ever felt totally overwhelmed and unable to find relief from the intensity of everything going on in your heart and your mind? Art therapy can help in all of these situations.
What Happens in a Session?
Art therapy is another way to explore the depths of the mind, heart, and body and it often allow awarenesses and solutions to arise that could not happen with just words alone. You do not have to have any artistic experience and sometimes it's actually easier to engage in art therapy if you have no formal art training.
In a typical art therapy session, we will start by talking about what has been happening for you and identify your major concerns. When that has been discerned, I will invite you to use the art materials in the room to create an image (in this context the word image could mean sculpture, collage, or even body movement); this image might express the concern, it might capture what you’re feeling in the moment, or it might just feel good to be creative and let go of the burdens you are dealing with. After you finish making this image we will discuss the meanings and feelings connected to the image. Sometimes meanings will emerge for you that you could not have anticipated and over time, stories can be revealed that illuminate deeper concerns, inner strengths, and alternate possibilities for moving forward. Before the closing of the art therapy session, we will often collaborate to identify how any new awarenesses might translate into actions that you can take in your life to make small steps towards change.
Who is art therapy good for?
Art therapy is commonly used with people of all ages! Adults, children, adolescents, and seniors can all benefit from art therapy. In our evolutionary history, humans made images to communicate before they spoke. Even though we can talk now, art can be a powerful way to communicate our deepest thoughts and feelings.
Do I need experience in art?
You don’t need any art experience, actually; sometimes it’s better when you don’t have any formal training in art.
What kinds of challenges can art therapy help with?
Art therapy has been proven to be effective for:
- Trauma Recovery
- Grief and Loss
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Stress Reduction
- Identity Building