What is Art Therapy?
According to the American Art Therapy Association,
"Art therapy is a mental health profession in which clients, facilitated by the art therapist, use art media, the creative process, and the resulting artwork to explore their feelings, reconcile emotional conflicts, foster self-awareness, manage behavior and addictions, develop social skills, improve reality orientation, reduce anxiety, and increase self-esteem. A goal in art therapy is to improve or restore a client’s functioning and his or her sense of personal well-being. Art therapy practice requires knowledge of visual art (drawing, painting, sculpture, and other art forms) and the creative process, as well as of human development, psychological, and counseling theories and techniques.
Today art therapy is widely practiced in a wide variety of settings including hospitals, psychiatric and rehabilitation facilities, wellness centers, forensic institutions, schools, crisis centers, senior communities, private practice, and other clinical and community settings. During individual and/or group sessions art therapists elicit their clients’ inherent capacity for art making to enhance their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Research supports the use of art therapy within a professional relationship for the therapeutic benefits gained through artistic self-expression and reflection for individuals who experience illness, trauma, and mental health problems and those seeking personal growth."
http://www.americanarttherapyassociation.org/upload/whatisarttherapy.pdf
"Art therapy is a mental health profession in which clients, facilitated by the art therapist, use art media, the creative process, and the resulting artwork to explore their feelings, reconcile emotional conflicts, foster self-awareness, manage behavior and addictions, develop social skills, improve reality orientation, reduce anxiety, and increase self-esteem. A goal in art therapy is to improve or restore a client’s functioning and his or her sense of personal well-being. Art therapy practice requires knowledge of visual art (drawing, painting, sculpture, and other art forms) and the creative process, as well as of human development, psychological, and counseling theories and techniques.
Today art therapy is widely practiced in a wide variety of settings including hospitals, psychiatric and rehabilitation facilities, wellness centers, forensic institutions, schools, crisis centers, senior communities, private practice, and other clinical and community settings. During individual and/or group sessions art therapists elicit their clients’ inherent capacity for art making to enhance their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Research supports the use of art therapy within a professional relationship for the therapeutic benefits gained through artistic self-expression and reflection for individuals who experience illness, trauma, and mental health problems and those seeking personal growth."
http://www.americanarttherapyassociation.org/upload/whatisarttherapy.pdf
My Approach to Therapeutic Practice
As a feminist and activist, my practice focuses on client-centered work, trauma theory, and feminist and social justice approaches. Through these practices I focus on the clients and their needs. I am knowledgeable about how trauma can potentially impact clients; therefore, I create therapeutic spaces that foster psychological safety, emphasize collaboration between client and therapist, and support clients in making their own decisions. I also advocate for clients outside the context of therapy.
I use art to explore the impact on me of my relationships with clients. Art serves as a container to process personal thoughts and emotions in response to issues presented by clients. The issues range from personal to social, political, and environmental. I use a variety of art forms—including drawing, photography, and creative writing—to explore my relationships with clients and to discover new ways to work with them. Art making also helps me examine and compartmentalize my struggles so they do not become enmeshed with those of my clients.
The work I create addresses my personal and professional identities. Overarching themes include self-exploration, self-discovery, and self-empowerment. The use of diverse mediums bring to light the different skills I hold as an artist and the tools I use to process inner and interpersonal connections.
I use art to explore the impact on me of my relationships with clients. Art serves as a container to process personal thoughts and emotions in response to issues presented by clients. The issues range from personal to social, political, and environmental. I use a variety of art forms—including drawing, photography, and creative writing—to explore my relationships with clients and to discover new ways to work with them. Art making also helps me examine and compartmentalize my struggles so they do not become enmeshed with those of my clients.
The work I create addresses my personal and professional identities. Overarching themes include self-exploration, self-discovery, and self-empowerment. The use of diverse mediums bring to light the different skills I hold as an artist and the tools I use to process inner and interpersonal connections.