|
|
What is Art Therapy?
Art therapy combines traditional clinical counseling methods and psychological theory with the creative process of art-making. Art is used to provide alternate forms of communication, promote psychological growth, explore different parts of the self, increase self-awareness and stimulate the whole brain. Some of the outcomes of art therapy include an improved sense of well-being, greater self-awareness, reduced anxiety, decreased feelings of depression as well as increased feelings of connectedness and belonging. At My Favorite Day, PLLC, art therapy is also used to teach skills such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT including mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotional regulation and distress tolerance), Mindful self-compassion and somatic experiencing.
One does not have to be an artist or have artistic abilities to benefit from art therapy. It is not about making art that is aesthetically pleasing to viewers, it is about the process of creating and communicating an inner world that words may not fully describe.
One does not have to be an artist or have artistic abilities to benefit from art therapy. It is not about making art that is aesthetically pleasing to viewers, it is about the process of creating and communicating an inner world that words may not fully describe.
Who Can Benefit from Art Therapy?
Art therapy has been successful in treating individuals of all ages who are experiencing a wide range of symptoms and states including depression, anxiety, loss & grief, creative blocks, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), mood disorders, addiction, behavioral disorders, gender identity issues, relationship issues and systematic racism. It can be useful for people in every stage of human development and all abilities, including those that are neurotypical and neurodivergent, including people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Who Conducts Art Therapy?
To conduct art therapy in the State of Texas, a clinician must be a licensed professional counselor (LPC) and a registered art therapist (AT-R or ATCB). The Art Therapy Credentials Board governs the ethical and competent treatment of clients through the credentialing of art therapy professionals
(https://www.atcb.org/).
(https://www.atcb.org/).
Examples of Art Therapy
All artwork pictured here is by Tressie Seegers, MA, LPC, AT-R
What is SoulCollage?
SoulCollage is a fun and creative process that taps into the intuitive wisdom that guides each of us on our life's journey. The process is a way to explore the unconscious mind and discover more about our true authentic self. With a greater awareness of self, navigating life can become a more purposeful, informed, mindful and fulfilling process. It is a great way to practice self-care and promote individual growth. Each client makes their own deck of SoulCollage cards that represent different parts of the self to integrate and promote increased self-awareness.
"This simple and powerful process externalizes what is felt or intuited but may not yet be identified or named. When an inner paradigm is externalized, we can name and claim this part of ourselves and begin interacting. In this, we lay claim to inner resources, that help us heal and become more whole by integrating what has been put away for safe keeping" (Brooke, Myers, 2015, p. 94). SoulCollage was created by Seena B. Frost, a psychotherapy clinician for more than thirty years. She used creative healing modalities in her practice that included the work of C.G. Jung, Fritz Perls, Virginia Satir, Eric Berne, Roberto Assagioli and others (website retrieved in 2018 from: https://www.soulcollage.com/seena-b-frost-0).
"This simple and powerful process externalizes what is felt or intuited but may not yet be identified or named. When an inner paradigm is externalized, we can name and claim this part of ourselves and begin interacting. In this, we lay claim to inner resources, that help us heal and become more whole by integrating what has been put away for safe keeping" (Brooke, Myers, 2015, p. 94). SoulCollage was created by Seena B. Frost, a psychotherapy clinician for more than thirty years. She used creative healing modalities in her practice that included the work of C.G. Jung, Fritz Perls, Virginia Satir, Eric Berne, Roberto Assagioli and others (website retrieved in 2018 from: https://www.soulcollage.com/seena-b-frost-0).