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What is art therapy?
Art, as visual
expression, communicates in symbolic form. As we develop,
language follows symbolic thought. This is the aspect that
empowers art to become a tool that can stimulate imaginative
expression and communication that can help you to reach your
therapeutic goals. As human beings, we all have hurts,
disappointments, loss and trauma in our lives, although the
degree may differ. Art therapy embraces the whole person and
their experiences, helping individuals use art-making as a
means of expressing their emotions and thoughts in relation
to traumas, life stresses, grief or causes of emotional,
psychological, spiritual and/or physical distress or
imbalances. Art therapy offers a safe atmosphere as a
relatively non-intrusive form that persons of all ages can
use as expressive communication. Creating art can, in and of
itself, be a form of self-expression and healing. During art
therapy, the focus is on the creation and viewing of the
artwork, concentrating on the symbols and metaphors that
emerge from it. The emphasis is on
self-exploration and transformation, not on making "good
art." Art therapy does not require artistic ability or prior
experience.
What is an art therapist?
The role of the Art
Therapist is to facilitate your journey of creative
self-discovery and release. This is accomplished by the art
therapist witnessing and guiding your awareness in
identifying what requires attention in the physical, mental,
emotional and spiritual areas of your life.
In June of 2009, CBC Radio One did an in-depth profile of
art can heal and the interviewer actually took
herself through an art therapy session. Download the
interview, which lasts about five minutes,
here. |
