One of the most common statements I hear from people who might be hesitant towards creative means to therapy and counselling is: I can’t draw.

The common misconception is that the art is the focus. But that is completely not the case. The PERSON in the room, is always the focus. Creative mediums are merely tools, and they are more often than not used in ways that are very low key and simple. (I can explain in more depth in our consultation session.)

We all have different experiences with the arts growing up and some of those experiences might have been more traumatic than they were encouraging. A lot of inhibitions to creativity come from fear and insecurity. Every child is an artist because they could not care less about how people might view their art. I believe that this child is still inside all of us. How would we live if we didn’t fear what other people think of us?

Visual art is only one of the many mediums in art therapy. Click here to read about my working approach.

Here is a brief outline of the purpose of art therapy:

• Art therapy provides the client-artist with insight into their emotions and thoughts. Benefits of the art therapy process include:
• Self-discovery, Personal fulfilment. The creation of a tangible reward can build confidence and nurture feelings of worth.
• Empowerment. Finding your voice. Art therapy can help people visually express emotions that they cannot express through conventional means, and can give them some sense of control over these feelings.
• Relaxation and stress relief. Chronic stress can be harmful to both mind and body. Stress can weaken and damage the immune system, can cause insomnia and depression, and can trigger circulatory problems (like high blood pressure and irregular heartbeats). When used alone or in combination with other relaxation techniques such as guided imagery, art therapy can effectively relieve stress.
• Symptom relief and physical rehabilitation. Art therapy can also help patients cope with pain. This therapy can promote physiological healing when patients identify and work through anger, resentment, and other emotional stressors. It is often prescribed to accompany pain control therapy for chronically and terminally ill patients.

Art therapy is not an art class.

The focus is not artistic techniques. But it is something more rich and meaningful. True beauty in art therapy is defined by the authenticity and truth in the creation – whether the creative process or product really expresses the true inner thoughts and feelings of the client.

My clients are encouraged to bring up whatever they want to, using whatever ways they are comfortable with. Bear in mind that the artistic element is optional. They have permission to be truly themselves and they will be accepted as who they are. I am the facilitator and co-creator in this enriching journey of discovering and living to their full potential. 

For more information, visit the British Association of Art Therapists.