You may be wondering what it is like to work with an art therapist. Today I am excited to share with you a little about art therapy and what it looks like to work creatively with me.

Let me tell you a little bit about myself. First, I am an artist. I so fond of creating daily that on occasion I mistake my paintbrush water for my teacup. I also have quite the collection of found objects, mostly from nature, that find their way into my artwork.

I am also a professional psychotherapist trained in mental health counseling and art therapy. I work with a variety of people just like you who are looking for ways new ways to understand themselves.

Here are 5 things to know when you work with an Art Therapist:

1. You do not have to consider yourself artistic to benefit from art therapy. Art therapy focuses on the creative process of art making.

"Art therapy engages the mind, body, and spirit in ways that are distinct from verbal articulation alone. Kinesthetic, sensory, perceptual, and symbolic opportunities invite alternative modes of receptive and expressive communication, which can circumvent the limitations of language. Visual and symbolic expression gives voice to experience, and empowers individual, communal, and societal transformation.”
- American Art Therapy Association

2. An art therapist is a trained professional. They will help you to understand your art and create goals, but they will not interpret your art for you. You are the expert on your creations.

3. Sometimes art therapists may suggest certain materials and directives that will help you to go deeper with your therapy, exploring your strengths and areas that are healing. Art making can bring up strong emotions, both positive and negative. An art therapist has specialized training to help guide you and provide a safe space during this process.

4. Art therapy is more about the process of art making and less about how the final art product looks. However, along the way, you may develop more confidence in working with materials and mediums with the help of your art therapist.

5. Your artwork is like a self portrait and it belongs to you. Your therapist will help you keep it safe or you can hold onto it. Your artwork is a tangible part of your healing journey.

In summary, art making is a powerful tool for problem solving and raising awareness of deeper emotions and the deep knowing within each of us. A trained art therapist can help you engage with your art and explore the meaning behind what you make.

Now that you know a few things about working with an art therapist stay tuned for the next blog post on how to prepare for an art therapy session with me.

#WhyICreate

“I create so that the right and left sides of my brain can coexist in a left brained world. Artmaking quiets the static in my brain and allows for the creation of new pathways.”
-Kristen