What is Art Therapy?

Art therapy gives a way to communicate what you are feeling or experiencing in life through art materials. The most important thing to remember is that it is 'all about the process' and not the end product. You do not need any artistic ability or be able to draw, the art is an individual expression. Art therapy is available for all ages.

Engaging in art therapy is a way to help explore emotions and thoughts, more than words alone can describe, sometimes you just can't explain how you feel. An art therapist does not judge or interpret your images, all meaning comes from your own inner self. An art therapist guides you to find insight and may use relaxation and visualization techniques to help ground and inspire you.

Focusing on the process of the art experience allows for new possibilities to emerge; the aim is not to predetermine a story with words. Engaging in a creative session helps with anxiety, stress or emotional issues, the art itself is healing and sometimes quite insightful. The art therapist supports the client and draws attention to the art making itself and any insights.

Art therapy may work with a client's individual goals or an overarching goal within a group setting of similar experience. Careful consideration goes into choosing the art mediums, paper, and tasks to resonate with and challenge the client's experience. Specific questions are directed to examine the art for further insight. Eventually, the art is used to confirm new ways of being or new awareness.

Art therapy is therapeutic as it offers an opportunity to heal. When you allow yourself to flow and trust the art medium and not direct your thinking, you totally immerse yourself in the creating. By observing yourself as you work with a particular medium you may notice feelings arise in your body. Our sensory systems in our body have much more emotional weight than a verbal description. Art therapy is facilitated by multi-sensory engagement with one's individual stories.

Most importantly, art therapy allows the client to externalize the internal story so it is seen as something separate and can be viewed as outside of themselves.