What is Art Psychotherapy?
Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses creative processes like drawing, painting, collage, and clay to help individuals understand and process their emotions and life experiences.
This approach encourages self-awareness, emotional regulation, and positive brain engagement, especially for those who have experienced trauma. By focusing on the process rather than the art itself, art therapy provides a safe, open, and playful way to explore our sense of who we are, as well as the world around us.
Why art psychotherapy?
Aside from the fact that creativity is one of our oldest and most inherent forms of expression, artmaking has been proven to support wellbeing. It’s also pretty fun.
art therapy can help us…
- express ourselves differently
- explore & cope with difficult emotions
- feel more at home in our bodies
- develop a stronger sense of self
- get our creative juices flowing
- reflect on our personal journeys
art therapy is great for..
- restoring emotional, mental & spiritual wellbeing
- addressing stress & depression
- feeling safe to live authentically
- rediscovering joy & play
- lessen stress & anxiety
art therapy is for anyone who…
- is curious/passionate about arts
- feels more comfortable communicating without words
- seeks new mental health tools
- needs time & space just for them
- has some (or zero!) artistic skill
What happens in an art therapy session?
While everyone’s art therapy experience will be different, the structure of a session is pretty consistent (it can help things feel safe & reliable)…
Settling & connecting
Sessions typically start with a check-in, where we touch base and get a sense of how you’d like to spend our time together. If you feel like you need a moment to settle into the space, we can take some time to tune into our breathing and the sensations around us.
From there, we might warm up with some art- or eco-based activities, talk some more, or else go right into artmaking. However we move forward depends on whatever feels most right and true for you.
Creating & tending
Your artmaking experience can be expressive, exploratory, intentional or spontaneous. You might arrive knowing what you want to create, or you may prefer to receive a prompt to get started. The good news is: there’s no wrong way to do this, and I am there to support you for whatever you need.
Together, we will explore and respond to the things that brought you to the day’s session by following your creative curiosities and honouring whatever arises.
Sharing & closing
Following the artmaking process, you will always have the option to reflect on your piece in-session. Having your art be witnessed while reflecting on your creative experience can be a vulnerable and even healing process. If it feels right, we might chat about how it felt to create, any emotions that arose during artmaking, and what’s coming up for you in the moment as you review your piece.
As our time comes to a close, we go over any thoughts or ideas that came about in session. Perhaps you’ll want to set an intention for the week, or take a moment to breathe and reconnect with your body before heading back out into the world.
As always, you get to choose.
Other faq’s
How long is the average session?
I offer 60, 90, and 120-minute individual art therapy sessions as per your preference. Group sessions are typically best suited to 90 or 120 minutes each, varying based on the number of participants in each group, and the intention of the group overall.
In the case of workshops, session timing is customized based on the focus of the workshop and the needs and goals of participants. They can take an afternoon or last an entire weekend, depending on the experience you’re seeking.
All session lengths are determined at the time of booking.
What kinds of art will we make?
All kinds! While I will have a wide variety of art materials (for in-person sessions) and creative ideas ready for you each time we meet, art therapy is all about responding to whatever experience might be calling to you. Whether you’re looking to use art as a means to ground into your body, explore a lived experience or simply get your creative juices flowing, you might spend time painting, collage, sculpting with clay, or making art with found materials. The therapy space is your blank canvas.
Do I have to share or talk about my art?
In individual sessions, sharing your art with me can be a vulnerable experience. As such, sharing or discussing your art is always a choice that will be honoured and respected.
In groups, some participants may like to share their art with others and speak to the piece, while others may prefer to wait until the group feels safe to open up. Both are completely welcome. When it comes to group sessions, the work isn’t so much about artmaking and sharing as it is honouring your felt sense of safety.
What happens to my art when I’m finished?
The art you make in a session is completely confidential. At the end of each session, you can choose whether you want to take it with you, or if you’d like me to hold it until next time. If the latter, I’ll store your pieces in a secure cabinet in the same manner that I store client records and private documents.
Are you going to tell me what my art means?
I couldn’t tell you if I tried! The art made in therapy sessions is deeply personal to their creator, and while it may evoke emotions in other group participants, it will only ever speak to you.
My approach is always going to be about supporting you in your own reflections, while providing tools and guidance to keep your mind, body and spirit feeling tended to and secure.
Still curious?
Let’s connect! I offer free complimentary consultations, where we can chat about the art therapy process and what sort of therapeutic experience feels right for you.
“The function of art is to do more than tell it like it is – it’s to imagine what is possible.”
bell hooks
Outlaw Culture: Resisting Representations
(page 281)