Art Therapy
See how you can move things around? You have unlimited power on this canvas –
can literally, literally move mountains.
~ Bob Ross
Art therapy is a mental health profession that joins the creative and expressive process of art making with psychological theory and application to treat a variety of mental health conditions.
How does that work?
Art therapy is simply another way to communicate and express yourself within the safety of the space we create as therapist and client.
The art therapy relationship is dynamic, powerful and fosters deep connection as you express those complex emotions that are made of so much more than words.
I don’t’ know. I’m stuck… blank… confused…
There are no words for this feeling.
If you struggle with expressing or articulating your emotions, your feelings may range from overwhelmed and anxious to depressed and detached simply because you need another way to communicate what you are feeling.
Art therapy can help you to understand your emotions, name those elusive feelings, and give you the space you need to talk about it in a healthy way.
Only your process matters
Art therapy does not rely on your skill with a pencil or paintbrush to help you express yourself and find deeper meaning within your artwork.
There is no right or wrong, no good or bad – and all artworks have value. Even unfinished, unwanted or “ugly” work has something to tell us… in fact, sometimes those works often have the most to say.
Your artwork does not have to “look” like anything or be recognizable to anyone else because it belongs to you. Only what you gain from creating, viewing and processing your work is important in art therapy.
My Art Therapy Secret:
I love stick figures!!!!!
I drew them often as a child to express myself and still find them in my doodles and margins re-enacting any number of scenes.
Stick figures are calming, fun, and an easy way to handle stress, anxiety, conflict, fear, excitement and other overwhelming emotions throughout the day.
They are surprisingly expressive, and it can be both entertaining and enlightening to draw with only simple lines and shapes.
Whenever someone is holding on to fear or judgment of their skill, I love asking for the simplest stick figure drawings they can manage. Give it a try!
If you would like to know more, contact me today at (832) 308-8275.
