Empathic,
Mindful,
Intuitive, &
Creative Therapy
MA, LMFT, ATR-P
Licensed Marriage Family Therapist, #131585
Registered Art Therapist, Provisional, #20-019
she/her/hers
Art Therapy
Art Therapy
First, I am mainly a "talk" therapist, however, I will sometimes ask to incorporate "art" therapy -but only if it's appropriate for the client/s AND I have their consent. I am very aware that art therapy won't be for everyone.
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That said, art therapy is not about being an artist or creating a masterpiece to hang on the wall, it is about SO MUCH MORE! The ways art can be used and engaged with Therapeutically are so vast that it's honestly difficult to define in a simple way.
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For me, I do not have a pre-planned book of art therapy interventions because I never know what's going to be the best fit for each person or situation. For example: sometimes art can be used as a way to get around our very well-established verbal defense mechanisms, other times it can help ground us in our bodies, give us a sense of peace & accomplishment, provide a safe way to speak about difficult emotions, and other times it can be a novel (less directly confrontational) way of engaging with ourselves -and our loved ones ...and that's just the tip of the iceberg!
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.
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And, while the beauty and power of 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.
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And, a little reminder: just as every person is a unique being, every Art Therapist will have a unique way of conceptualizing & engaging in art therapy with clients. So, just because you have experienced "Art Therapy" before, does not mean what I offer will look anything like what you remember.
