Art Therapy is the use of art media, creative process and resulting artwork with a professional.

Why Art Therapy?

Art becomes the vehicle to open communication. I encourage non-judgment, self trust and self acceptance through the art process while allowing spontaneous imagery to happen. The finished product is not the main focus in art therapy. However, the product can be used to further insight and awareness.

What is Art Therapy?

Art Therapy is a mental health profession where clients, together with an Art Therapist use art media, the creative process and the resulting artwork, to enhance the understanding of feelings, emotional conflicts, improve social skills, increase self awareness and self esteem. Through art making, conflicts, traumas, and stressors can be addressed through metaphor created, and enhance the healing process. Art expressions often more adequately express and contain emotions and meaning than words alone. 

The art media, creative process, and the resulting artwork can be used to problem-solve, explore feelings, reconcile emotional conflicts, foster self-awareness, manage behavior, develop social skills, improve reality orientation, reduce anxiety, and increase self-esteem. Art therapy can be powerful in effecting change, encouraging growth, and improving or restoring a sense of self, relationships, and personal well-being. 

Art Therapy is a practice that draws on the knowledge of the visual arts (drawing, painting, sculpture, and other art forms), the process of creativity and human development models of counseling and psychotherapy. 

To learn more about Art Therapy, visit the American Art Therapy Association (AATA) web site www.americanarttherapyassociation.org. 

To learn more about the professional credentialing of Art Therapists, visit the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) web site www.atcb.org.