Art Therapy

Art therapy is not a “one size fits all” approach. I have clients who come into each meeting wanting to work on something creative while we talk, some who like to receive something to do (to make them think or to keep their hands busy), and others who don’t want to create in session.

The one thing my clients have in common is they are open to using their creative process to help navigate thoughts and feelings and are willing to do the work, even when it means showing up and being honest about not wanting to show up that day!

“SELF” EXPRESSION takes many FORMS

If you’re Pro-Art, you can share projects, and we can use your work to help us understand what’s at play in your life, how it might relate to what you’re feeling, help you see patterns or themes, and lead to insights in the here and now. There’s value in the meaning that you assign to the work. Self-expression is a critical skill in creating a life you love, and that’s the goal here.

Art is personal – And only the person who created it knows what went into it. Sometimes, even the creator of the piece is unaware of all the levels of meaning potentially involved. As a result, the fresh perspective of a witness to the art can share their observations for consideration. That’s where I come in! I am here to create and hold a safe space for you to explore and process your inner workings.

If you’re Art-Neutral – Your relationship with art may be such that you can take it or leave it. Then we can use art directives to help you access your creativity (all humans have some degree of being creative) to use art to process some big feelings or small feelings that won’t go away. If you’re experiencing anxiety or a lack of grounding, I might suggest an activity that will help you tolerate the feelings that come with it so you can find your way back to solid ground.

Sometimes, clients aren’t exactly sure what they’re feeling, and I might offer an array of materials. They will naturally gravitate toward using the ones that will allow them to work through the uncertainty and arrive at a place of knowledge.

Trust the Process

Typically, you will create something in session, and we will verbally process your ‘experience of making it’ once the work is complete. The main focus is always on the creative process, not the end product.

I am not an art critic or a meaning-maker, and our goal is not to shape you into a better artist – it’s to give you another way to understand yourself better and ultimately live a fully self-expressed life!

I hope you gain confidence and mastery while we’re together, allowing you to integrate new skills into your everyday life (in the space between sessions!).

If you’re Anti-Art…

…AKA, not creative, we will begin by introducing you to the parts of yourself that are less familiar to you.

Creativity is a defining human characteristic, and if you’ve ever solved a problem or thought about the future, you can be creative. You’re going to have to trust me on this one – literally. Art-making is always optional. As long as you’re open to the idea that you, too, are capable of utilizing an internal creative process to work things through, then art therapy will work for you.

Self-expression is a key skill in creating a life you love, and that’s the goal here. Your sessions in the therapy studio will be about figuring things out by experimenting in a safe environment, playing with materials, sometimes making a mess, and mostly trusting your gut.

Examples of creative resources I recommend:
https://zentangle.com/
https://mondaymandala.com/m/

Try out the career roadmap tool here:
https://roadtripnation.com/

Want to know more about art therapy?
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapy-types/art-therapy
https://www.njarttherapy.com/