"What do you do for a living?"
"I am an art therapist, photo-therapist, photographer, and trainer."
Then comes the question:
"What is art therapy?"
If you're not familiar with art therapy or have heard about it but would like to know more, I'll talk to you today about this method.
Expression through creativity
Art therapy is a method that promotes expression and help overcoming personal difficulties through creativity. In other words, it is the expression of your emotions through creativity.
Recommended for all, adults, and children, sessions can be done individually or in groups. In the field of care and prevention, art therapy assists with depressive and psychosomatic disorders, such as eating problems or addictive behaviors. Moreover, it is also suitable for more severe pathologies, such as psychosis or autism.
It is not necessary to have artistic or technical skills to engage in art therapy. You don't need to be an artist, know how to paint, or draw. There are no goals of production or aesthetics; it is not about creating something 'beautiful.' The main focus is simply to express oneself freely without judgment or interpretation from the art therapist.
Art therapy is an interesting method because it works on different levels: the body, the mind, and the soul.
Body
Art therapy awakens our senses: sight, touch, hearing, and even smell are engaged in the creative process. This method of therapy is multisensory compared to verbal therapy methods.
Our body is in motion as it interacts with the elements of creation. This time of daydreaming, exploration, or tinkering is a true moment for oneself, a breath, a moment of respiration.
Art therapy helps us connect to the present moment, providing a sense of calm and mental relaxation, regulating our breathing and heartbeats. It assists in becoming more mindful and letting go.
Mind
In art therapy, we engage in the non-verbal; we communicate differently by expressing ourselves through creativity.
The art-therapist, in a compassionate listening manner, allows the individual to express themselves freely without judging or interpreting what is said or done during the session.
The creative setup offered during the session opens the door to psychic movement and relationship. It allows access to memories, words, and emotions inscribed in our subconscious. For example, an image can bring forth a memory and an emotion.
The creative process activates both hemispheres of our brain:
- Analysis, critique, and reflection are solicited as much as creativity, imagination, and emotions. This brings a balance to our mental state, helping us reduce stress.
Art therapy allows working on both levels, the body and the mind, simultaneously, unlike other therapy methods that focus on only one level.
Soul
At the level of the soul, art therapy can be a spiritual practice, as the stimulation of our creative capacities connects us to our feminine energy, an energy that is the source of our inspiration, imagination, and creativity.
We are then more in tune with ourselves, more aware, and aligned with our true being.
Art therapy helps us reconnect with ourselves, find our own solutions because the art therapist is not there to provide answers based on their beliefs. Art therapy helps us take control of our narrative, to become our own point of reference in addressing our struggles, accepting them, and implementing changes in our lives to better live with our challenges. This allows us to give meaning to our lives.
Conclusion
In conclusion, art therapy emerges as a holistic method that transcends verbal barriers to harness the innate creative potential within each of us. This approach, accessible to everyone, provides a space for free expression, devoid of judgment, where the body, mind, and soul find a harmonious balance.
By awakening our senses, art therapy promotes a connection with the present moment, offering calm and psychic relaxation. On the mental plane, it engages both analysis and creativity, bringing a balance conducive to stress reduction.
Finally, at the soul level, this practice becomes a spiritual exploration, reconnecting with our fundamental creative energy and guiding us towards a deeper understanding of ourselves.
To discover the benefits of art therapy and to book a consultation, click here.
Creatively,
Clara
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