Art Therapy

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Humans have used art as a form of communication and healing for millennia. Art therapy is a mental health profession that utilizes the creative arts to improve mental health and well-being. There is a mind/body connection that is illuminated through the process of making art which allows space for reflection and exploration. The ability to express oneself in order to enhance our life can make us happier, address sadness or negative emotions and help us to reach these goals in a healthy and often more effective way. Art therapy is not about being “good” at art or the finished product. Instead, it is about how making art lets you express emotions and connect with various aspects of yourself.

Art Therapy FAQs

But I can't draw stick figures! What if I'm no good at art, or have no artistic experience? 

That's fine! No prior art-making experience is necessary to participate in art therapy. Part of what can make art therapy a potent experience for those who don't identify as artistic is how it illuminates perfectionistic tendencies (ie. the need to be good at something for it to be worth doing) and allows for an opportunity to understand and gradually transform the inner critic into a force of creativity. 

How does virtual art therapy work?

The only difference between virtual and in-person art therapy is that you provide your own art materials. Incorporating art into virtual therapy may look like us creating free drawings or doodling together during session, me providing you with a specific art prompt based on a current feeling or issue, or reflecting on pertinent symbols and metaphors in your life. All that is really required of you to participate in art therapy is paper, art materials of choice (colored pencils, markers, and watercolor paints are a good place to start, but simply a pen or pencil will work fine), and an open mind. 

Do you analyze me/my art?

Short answer: No.

Long answer: As an art therapist, I am trained to closely observe and draw inferences based on the art making process. Aspects of the art-making process I pay close attention to include: use (or lack) of color, size, themes/content, developmental stage, and level of comfort with art making process. However, I do not directly analyze or assign meaning to client artwork. My role is that of a guide who supports you in understanding what emotions/images/sensations are evoked during art making and reflecting on personal meaning. 

Art therapy seems like kids' stuff. How can art therapy help me as an adult?

Art Therapy has been proven to help with:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Various forms of trauma 
• Releasing self-judgment and improving self-esteem
• Self-awareness and understanding
• Problem solving and building resilience

Do we have to do art every session? 

Nope! Art making can be used as often as it feels helpful or wanted. Using art as part of therapy can take place in session or outside of session - or not at all.