LISTA
WELLNESS
Art Therapy Q&A
If you or a loved one is thinking about art therapy,
here is some information and common Q&As.
What is
Art Therapy?
A beautiful combination of the creative process & psychotherapy that helps guide self-exploration & interpersonal understanding.
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It is a technique rooted in the idea that artistic expression can foster healing & well-being.
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Thoughts & feelings that may feel difficult to articulate or discuss can be expressed & explored visually.
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Imagery, colour, shape, meaning making, and intention are a part of this creative therapeutic process.
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In Sum:
Therapy that uses art as a tool for self-exploration & expression.
Art Materials?
Anything Available to You!
For the online individual & group sessions, feel free to use any art materials you have available.
Some options:
Dry Art Materials: markers, crayons, pencil crayons, pastels, pencils, pen, paper, etc.
Wet Art Materials: paint (acrylic, oil, and/or watercolour), recycled paper, canvas, paper, etc.
Textiles: sewing, beading, weaving, knitting, crotcheting, etc.
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NO EXPENSIVE
MATERIALS REQUIRED!
What is
Art Therapy not?
Not Art Class:
Your art work will not be graded!
Art Therapy focuses more on inner experiences through the process of art making rather than teaching art techniques or creating a specific finished product.
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Not for Everyone:
Although artistic ability isn't necessary for Art Therapy to be successful, those who believe they aren't creative or artistic might be resistant or skeptical of the process, and that is OK.
It can be a pleasant surprise for some to reconnect with their artistic expression and an opportunity to re-frame and re-define their idea what "art" means.
Tid Bits
All are welcome!
All ages, races, genders, orientations, cultures, religions, neuro/physical abilities, etc!
There is no right or wrong way to make art in Art Therapy!
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These sessions can be a great opportunity to practice being soft on yourself, as opposed to being hard on yourself.
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NO ART EXPERIENCE REQUIRED!
What Could an Art Therapy Session Look Like?
Each session can look & feel totally different because each session is dependent of the client's needs & situation.
Everything inside a session
(from the type of art materials, to how it's laid out, the talking/ discussion, what's covered, etc.)
is designed by the art therapist to fit each client's specific and unique goals & needs.
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How a Session May Flow:
(1) Check-in
(2) Art Making
(3) Discussion/Verbal Processing
(4) Closing Activity
Process vs. Product?
Art Therapy is Process Oriented!
Meaning the focus of art making mainly explores what the experience of creating art brings up for you,
such as:
thoughts, feelings, sensations, meaning, patterns, themes,
and/or shifts.
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Whereas product oriented art making is when the artist has a main goal of what they want the art piece to look like once it is finished, and the process is directed around that goal.
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If you identify as an artist, this can be a new way of processing what art making means to you.
Art Therapy can be an opportunity to play & make art for yourself!