ABOUT ART THERAPY

Art therapy uses the art-making process as a catalyst for personal growth and change.  It encompasses a combination of art-making, counseling, and psychotherapy in a therapeutic setting, and with the support of a trained art therapist.  The creative process has the potential to evoke deep inner transformation and self-awareness by encouraging communication that goes beyond words. 

An art therapist encourages the creator to reflect on their experience of making art in a safe environment, and at their own pace.  The physical tangibility of a piece of art allows the creator to return to previous works and notice changes over a period of time, leading to deeper self-understanding.  The art-making process involves sensory, cognitive, emotional, problem-solving, and planning skills, and can assist in many aspects of personal development.  Research shows that art therapy has been successful in helping individuals with:

            -Anxiety

            -Depression

            -Physical disabilities

            -Cognitive impairment

            -Trauma

            -Grief/Loss

            -Eating disorders

            -Mental illness

            -Difficulty with life transitions

            -Difficulty with relationships

            -Low self-esteem

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