Art Therapy
When tough things happen, they can impact our mind, body, and spirit.
No matter what age you are, it is difficult to explain with words all that is happening within you.
What is Art Therapy?
Art therapy engages you in ways that are distinct from just talking alone.
Creative expression gives you another voice to your experiences. Art therapy includes art making, creative processes, and our therapeutic relationship to bring light to your psychological needs while supporting your treatment goals. Working with a professionally trained art therapist allows you to communicate and explore what is often buried or hidden.
There is a way to address what has been causing you stress.
With the help of a trained and compassionate art therapist, you can find relief through art therapy treatment.
How can art therapy be helpful?
improve cognitive and sensory-motor functions
foster self-esteem and self-awareness
cultivate emotional resilience
promote insight
enhance social skills
reduce and resolve conflicts and distress
advance societal and ecological change
exploring sexuality
with LGBTQ population
cultural tension surrounding sexuality
Exploring Sexuality Through Art Making by Martha Cowley, Amanda Feinberg, and Sarah Gallop
But I can’t draw.
There is good news! Art therapy is not concerned how the art product turns out. Yes, stick figures are just as good as realistic drawings in art therapy treatment. The artwork you create does not have to be aesthetically pleasing or even finished. In our clinical experiences, we have used a variety of art therapy interventions with everyone from toddlers to older adults. We are client-centered clinicians who support the use of art therapy solely at your comfort level.
Can art therapy be used with teens?
Absolutely.
Art is paramount while treating teens who experience difficulty at home, school, and/or in the community. I provide art therapy to teens dealing with issues of emotional regulation, development, academic performance, behavior and impulse control, as well as teens who have experienced trauma. Art provides teens and families a different kind of opportunity to connect and communicate about the challenges at hand.
I worked for years for the Department of Mental Health, using art therapy in conjunction with cognitive behavioral strategies while working with children and teens. I implemented the use of art therapy with evidenced-based practices such as MAP, CBT, and TF-CBT to treat a variety of childhood issues.
Is art therapy for adults too?
Of course. It sparks an area of your brain that can feel so revitalized. Sometimes uncomfortable at first, but overwhelming I’ve noticed art therapy with adults can provide a particularly illuminating experience as the ability to understand complex metaphors tends to improve with age and experience. I provide art therapy at an individualized-pace driven by you and welcome to any and all feedback about how art therapy fits into your healing journey.