Personalized.
Flexible.
Empathic.
Intuitive.
Somatic.
Discreet.
Creative.
Evidence-Based.
Effective.
MA, LMFT
Therapy with Noelle
CONCIERGE THERAPY SERVICES
Art Therapy
What is Creative, Art Therapy?
First, I am primarily a "talk" therapist. However, sometimes, with client consent, it can make sense to incorporate creative, art therapy into sessions. In fact, during initial family therapy, a 10-15 minute art intervention (followed by more traditional talk therapy) has consistently been one of my most illuminating, efficient, and effective clinical tools.
Art therapy is not about being an artist or creating a masterpiece to hang on the wall, but using the creative process, art materials, and a bit of uncontrollable chaos, to circumnavigate the brain's typical neural pathways and create novel new experiences and expressions.
In my practice, while I do have some favorite staples, I typically do not pre-plan art therapy interventions. I often have to figure out what the best fit will be in the moment, depending on what emotions and energy levels clients are coming in with, what our goals are, and the available art materials.
*A reminder: Every Art Therapist will have their own way of conceptualizing & engaging in art therapy with clients.
Sometimes art can be used as a way to get around very well-established verbal defense mechanisms. Other times, it can help ground us in our bodies, give us a sense of peace & accomplishment, and provide a safe way to speak about difficult emotions. And, sometimes, it can be a less confrontational way to engage with ourselves —and our loved ones.
As a trained Art Therapist and Artist, I am familiar with traditional art materials and techniques, but I also love incorporating non-traditional methods and materials into my clients' art therapy experiences, especially when there's a good therapeutic reason for it.
And, while the beauty and power of creative art therapy is undeniable and its merits can be found in numerous peer-reviewed studies, I also understand that it is not always appropriate for every client, or in every session.
