Creative Arts Therapy

Using art in therapy provides a window to understanding.

The way you feel is hard to put into words. Something is bothering you, making life hard. You aren’t even sure what it is. There are hints about what it is but no solid understanding.

In a session, your therapist asks you to draw a window. You aren’t a great artist, but she reminds you that it doesn’t matter here. Paper, markers, colored pencils, and paints are the tools you need to spend a few minutes creating. You draw a window on the paper and start to draw what you see in your world.

As you create, you feel calmer and more relaxed.

The world doesn’t allow for conscious pauses like this very often, and it’s a nice feeling. You think about the different parts of your life that are most important. You draw those first, and then, you begin to think about the things under the surface, too.

As you talk with your therapist about your window drawing, you gain insight into the connecting pieces that distress you. You start to see how some parts are more significant and louder than you thought, and your therapist points out that some things are missing. You think about that, too, allowing you to gain insight as understanding grows.

Activities in creative arts therapy serve two purposes.

The act of creating has a way of reducing stress. Pausing and creating things in today’s busy lifestyle is rare. But the act of creating promotes healing.

Creating art, even “bad” art, with a trained therapist can give insight and healing to the issues that cause you angst and confusion. The art you create can open a conduit allowing you to talk about things you previously didn’t have words to describe how you feel.

Creative art activities can be incredibly insightful for anyone still learning to have words for their experiences, feelings, and needs.

Let creative expression be a part of your therapeutic process. I can help – contact me for more information.