Art can be said to be – and can be used as – the externalized map of our interior self. –Peter London, No More Secondhand Art
“But I’m not artistic.”
What if I said that you don’t need to be? What if I told you that you don’t need any art training, skill, or ability to experience the benefits of art therapy?
As a stick figure artist myself, I understand any angst you may feel about exploring art therapy. I entered the field of art therapy not because I was an artist, but because I was a preschool teacher and thought it would be fun to use art therapeutically with children. I never saw myself as an artist. I don’t have any formal training in art or ever practiced art growing up. However, my training as an art therapist opened my eyes to the power of the art process for healing and wellbeing.
Art Therapy is a therapy modality that utilizes visual art to express what sometimes words alone cannot. There are many things that linger in your unconscious and in your body that can interfere without you knowing. It emphasizes developing and expressing images that come from inside the person. It can be a way to express those innermost feelings, fears, or thoughts that can sometimes feel incredibly difficult or even impossible, to release verbally. It can also serve as a representation of people’s hopes and dreams for their future.
The process of art making in and of itself can be a healing experience while the art product can communicate information that is relevant and important to the therapeutic process. Art can help you organize feelings, thoughts, and perceptions of the world through images. The image itself can be a way of externalizing what’s on the inside and provide you with an opportunity to interact with your internal process in a more concrete and contained way.
If comfortable, you are invited to utilize the art process as a means of self-expression and self-exploration, releasing difficult emotions or experiences, accessing sub-conscious thoughts and processes, and visualizing healing. Art therapy overrides your “thinking” brain and gets right to the source of the issue making it a very effective therapeutic tool. It can offer you greater understanding of yourself, your challenges, and support you in making long lasting change. I use art therapy with clients because I strongly believe in the healing that the art making process can bring. I enjoy interacting with the art product along with my client and using it as a tool for greater understanding.
Art Therapy is for everyone regardless of age and experience. You DO NOT have to be an artist to benefit from Art Therapy.
If you’d like to explore working with me, please reach out via email or phone at 415.235.2734 for a 15-minute consultation.