Instead of a new post about art therapy, I have decided to post parts of a wonderful article this month from a German futurist about the world after COVID-19. In working with trauma victims in art therapy, we often experience a time of integration, recovery and hope. The client emerges wiser, more compassionate and even […]
The connection between art and healing is as old as time and most ancient cultures explored this vital link in both tangible and mystical ways. Today, we know the ancients were onto something and that this connection, especially the process of art making, is based on verifiable evidence—whether this is experienced in rehabilitation and recovery, or […]
It is helpful to distinguish between the following in psychological testing: subjective, objective and ‘in-between’ methods—such as projective techniques, which are mainly used in art therapy. Subjective: A type of self-analysis where the client talks about their life and problems and is helped to interpret them. This is typically used in initial assessments! Objective: Using […]
Should we be talking during the drawing process? Is talking in art therapy a smart move? Good question. The answer? It depends on the client. Some children with trauma history find it helpful, especially to help diffuse their powerful and overwhelming feelings. Others become extremely involved with their art making and find it disrupting. Talking […]
Art therapy involves very practical art therapy techniques that encourage creative expression in order to foster healing and well-being. Here is one simple technique that can be used for both personal self-reflection and to help a client get in touch with the deeper self. Place an object in the palm of your hand. A good […]
What is art therapy integration? Consider this story… A man once visited a monk living in remote solitude. Curious about why somebody would choose to live so remotely, the man asked the monk for an explanation. In response, the monk led him to consider an old fountain. Stooping down to pick up a stone, the […]
A great inspiration for many art therapists is Freud’s frustration with words. In discussing dreams, he noted: “We experienced it predominantly in visual images … part of the difficulty of giving an account of dreams is due to our having to translate these images into words. ‘I could draw it,’ a dreamer often says to […]
Does a diagnostic approach marry well with art therapy? That’s a good question. When psychologists use drawings and paintings in their counselling of children, they might be tempted to lean on a diagnostic approach. However, there are several risk factors to consider. The first problem occurs should the therapist look too hard for ‘evidence’ in […]
Anger is a completely normal human experience. It is after all an emotion—a raw emotion that has an evolutionary basis: respond and act against danger or unfair treatment. Of course, anger varies in intensity from mild irritation to outbursts of fury and rage. And it is accompanied by physical changes in the body and energy […]
Trauma is an overwhelming amount of distress that exceeds a person’s coping capacity. The result? An inability to adequately integrate all the emotions related to the experience. Trauma experienced in childhood is particularly severe. When trauma memories aren’t consciously integrated, the trauma asserts power over the child by triggering the conditioned arousal or avoidance responses. […]