Art Therapy
Explore creative reflection.
Art therapy is an established mental health profession that uses the creative process of art-making to improve and enhance the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages. Individuals receiving art therapy do not have to be proficient in artistic skills or design. Art therapists are trained to recognize non-verbal symbols within the creative process that may be difficult to express with words alone. By helping you discover underlying thoughts and feelings through art and creative processes, together you can form meaning. The creative process is facilitated by an art therapist and provides another language for reflection and self-expression, allowing deep and integrated healing in conflicts and problems. Individuals will have the opportunity to develop interpersonal skills, increase their self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve personal insights about their identity.
The session typically begins with a conversation between you and your art therapist about your thoughts, emotions, and life experiences. Your art therapist will engage you in a creative activity, often in combination with dialogue which is designed to guide you towards your insights and fulfillment. There will be time towards the end of your session for verbal discussion and processing of the art experience that allows for reflection and integration.
How Art Therapy can benefit certain groups:
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Children and adolescents frequently communicate their feelings through behaviors, especially when facing significant life changes. These expressions may manifest as anger, withdrawal, or depression, impacting school, relationships, and home life. Art Therapy offers a positive approach to address these challenges, guiding youth towards a deeper understanding of their emotions and fostering self-esteem and confidence. In group settings, such as youth art therapy groups, children can express vulnerability, create empathetic connections, and build emotional awareness through art-making and facilitated discussions.
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Art therapy offers adults a path to gain insights when feeling stuck or struggling to verbalize emotions. It is particularly beneficial for those seeking confidence and satisfaction in the creative process to access a range of emotions and connect with themselves. When utilized within couples or families, art therapy aids communication, resolves conflicts, and fosters insight and empathy. Adult art therapy groups create a space for trust and resiliency to flourish in collective units, providing a healing environment for individuals feeling lonely, lost, or unfulfilled.
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Investing time in art therapy for businesses has daily applications, enhancing overall work satisfaction and productivity. Our trained art therapists can design and implement a group art experience tailored to your specific workplace community goals. Creating space for employees to connect and communicate fosters a workplace environment where conflicts are smoothly resolved, as the team gains understanding and perspective in real time. Workplace empathy triggers a chain reaction of positive decisions and conversations, making daily work more enjoyable and productive.
Who can benefit from Art Therapy?
Those seeking to deepen their relationships or life experiences.
Those wanting to find an effective way to express themselves creatively.
Those who have a hard time verbalizing feelings or difficult experiences.
Those who often feel lonely, hopeless, stressed, or emotionally drained.
Those who feel overwhelmed or out of control from anxiety, grief, or depression.
Those who have tried more traditional forms of therapy and counseling did not receive as fulfilling results as they hoped for.