WHAT IS ART THERAPY?

Visit the American Art Therapy Association to learn more.

Art therapy is an expressive modality that is used to help individuals move through life challenges and work towards self-acceptance and growth. Art therapy relies more on imagery and symbols than just the spoken word. This focus helps to bypass verbal boundaries and create a safe, external space within which we can reflect and make meaning. It is a modality that focuses on process over product. You therefore do not have to be a skilled artist to work with an art therapist. Instead, you just need a desire to understand yourself on a deeper level, and a willingness to explore and express creatively.
During a session, we may utilize a variety of art material and techniques according to your needs and preferences. Such material includes: acrylic and watercolor paint, colored pencils, oil pastels, collage material, 3-D items such as plaster and clay, and sand tray miniatures. We will not focus on how well you can create something, but rather on what you learn from the imagery you create. A piece of art that represents how you feel and experience your world is what I consider to be true art.
Engaging in the creative process can help an individual improve their quality of life. It can help you improve interpersonal skills, reconcile emotional conflicts, manage behavior, reduce anxiety and depression, foster self-awareness, and increase self-esteem.
To learn more about art therapy and how it relates to neuroscience, watch the video below.