What is Art Therapy?
The merging of psychotherapy and art
The healing and life enhancing creative process of art making in a therapeutic environment
A form of nonverbal communication of thoughts and feelings
An interactive therapy, inviting one to actively participate in one’s own treatment
Art therapy brings together psychology with art making, which enables individuals to communicate thoughts, experiences, and feelings, which are too painful to put into words.
Art Therapy joins the visual arts with human growth and development, as well as human behavior, personality, and mental health.
What are the benefits of Art Therapy?
Art Therapy helps to explore emotions, reduces stress, resolve problems, and conflicts
Art Therapy enhances one’s sense of wellbeing in a non-threatening visual and creative way
Art making expresses thoughts and feelings which words cannot
The act of art-making distinctly therapeutic
Generates self-esteem, self-awareness, empowerment, and personal growth
Images can be revisited to concretely view and experience changes over time.
Art expression is active form non-verbal participation.
What is an art therapy session like?
Each session is uniquely catered to each individual’s needs and goals.
Sessions are facilitated to have a clear start, middle (or working through) and end (closure) to enable each individual to smoothly transition in and out of the therapeutic environment.
Alison serves as a guide of art making experience, while supporting individuals to verbally express meaning through their art process and final product.
The focus of each session is on generating and working through the creation of images, which come from one’s feelings, thoughts, ideas, and experiences.
Each individual makes their own interpretation of their work.
Who is art therapy for?
All ages: Children, adolescents, adults, and older persons
No art experience necessary
