Art therapy is a creative experience that can help us process emotions or difficult experiences. It offers an alternative to talking as it can sometimes be hard to put what we feel into words. Many people find that making art helps them explore issues or express underlying feelings to get clarity and insight. Creative activities can also regulate our nervous systems, making us feel calm, more at peace, centred, focused and connected.Fun fact – You need not be an artist to do art therapy. Making art allows us to intuitively and creatively express what is going on inside us without having to think about it or explain it. The saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words,” is applicable in the world of art therapy. Creating art also allows us to have a sensory experience. The body stores and processes memories and meaning differently from how the mind does. These sensory resources hold valuable pieces of information that can be revealed through creative expression, offering you new insight and meaning. Some may think that art therapy is about having an expert analyze symbols, images or colours, but it’s really about the meaning that each of us gives the work we’ve created. For example, a red apple would not have the same meaning to everyone. It is personal and unique to the client who made it and placed it in a particular scene. Art therapy is a client-centred process in which each person is the expert on their experience and the creative art they make.
Who might benefit from Art Therapy?
Art Therapy is particularly helpful for people who might prefer alternative ways to express themselves. It can be particularly helpful for children, people who have experienced trauma, or people who have difficulty remembering what happened to them. But anyone can benefit from Art Therapy. Often people seek out Art Therapy to get more in touch with their creative side or because they spend too much time in their “thinking brain.” People who naturally identify with creative arts, such as dancers, musicians, and actors, seem drawn to Art Therapy, but you don’t need to have any experience with art to do Art Therapy. All you need is curiosity and a bit of playfulness. Elly
Contact Art Therapists Elly or Natasha to learn more.
: Art Therapy