Art Therapy & Counseling

By making and interpreting their own art, individuals can reach beyond censored and unconscious feelings to a deeper understanding of personal motivations in everyday life. Art therapy is a unique and effective approach for offering our clients another means of communication. When words cannot express the secret turmoil, the art produced by the individual is a raw and honest look into our inner most fears, obsessions, motivations and personalities. Every creative endeavor produces a type of self portrait that can be interpreted and used to aid in further insight and personal growth.      Art therapy blends counseling with the creative process of making art.  The therapist guides the use of art materials in a supportive, non-judgmental environment, focusing not on the outcome or product, but on the therapeutic qualities of the art making itself.  Artistic self-expression can help people resolve conflicts, increase self awareness, and achieve personal insights.  The visible expressions become a tangible record of the individual’s process in counseling.

   In summary, art:

 Acts as a metaphor

Taps the unconscious

Assists with picturing self/ situation in a concrete, objective manner

Acts as a bridge

Creates a tangible record- a visible trail

Inspires connection to transcendent and growth

Provides energy enhancing process

Can easily be combined with other expressive arts (Gladding, S. & Newsome, D., 2003)