Art Therapy
What is Art Therapy?
Art therapy is an established form of psychotherapy, delivered by trained art therapists (also known as art psychotherapists).
Art therapy combines psychotherapy and creative processes that help you explore and heal.
Certain thoughts and feelings are sometimes difficult to express through language alone, but they may emerge through the creative process.
By exploring the artwork that you have created with an art therapist, you receive personalized and confidential assistance on your healing journey.
What is the Goal of Art Therapy?
The goal of art therapy is to utilize the creative process to help people explore self-expression and, in doing so, find new ways to gain personal insight and develop new coping skills.
It aims to reduce stress and improve emotional and mental health by promoting insight, self-compassion, and a sense of agency and self-worth.
Who is Suitable for Art Therapy?
- Those who may not be interested in focusing on discussions
- Enjoy creative experiences
- Looking to reconnect with their senses
- Interested in gaining more self-insight
- Feel hesitant about therapy
- Find it difficult to talk about personal experiences
- Enjoy the opportunity to be creative during sessions
- Looking to improve self-esteem
- Want to make career or life choices
- Experiencing mild depression or anxiety
Do I Have to Be an Artist?
No, you do not need any art experience!
Art therapy is about receiving the benefits of the creative process, so no artistic experience or aptitude is needed.
The client and the therapist work together to explore thoughts and feelings that emerge from engaging in the creative process.
How Does Virtual Art Therapy Work?
To begin, book an appointment via our website: www.eapcayman.com
- Click on: “Book an Appointment.”
- Click on: “Art Therapy Individual (Telehealth)”
- Once an appointment is booked, you will create a profile that will enable you to book, reschedule, and cancel appointments at your convenience.
- Jane App (booking system) will send you an email with a link 30 minutes before your appointment time that you will use to join the session.
What is Required?
Technology:
- Reliable internet connection
- Device (phone, tablet, computer/laptop) with functioning camera and microphone
- The Google Chrome browser is required to operate the Jane app and connect to the session
Space: - Ensure you are in a comfortable, private space with a work area such as a desk or tabletop
Supplies: - Simple pens, pencils, or things you likely have around the house/office are all the art supplies you need
- A sample art supply list will be provided
What Materials Do I Need?
- An art supply sample list will be provided
- Any available art materials that you already have at your disposal
- The art therapist will work to accommodate your experience and interest in what materials you have or can use
- Art therapy is flexible, and so are the materials you can use
Does the Therapist Interpret or Judge My Artwork?
No, the therapist will not be interpreting or judging!
The client determines what their artwork means to them, and what meanings may emerge.
Through exploring their art, clients can look for themes that may be affecting their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.
Therapeutic art processes are used in sessions to help clients make connections between experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
What Kinds of Feelings Will I Experience?
Therapy of any type can bring up various strong feelings.
Engaging in the creative process stimulates parts of the brain/memory that may be less active in daily life.
Art therapists are trained to hold space for all sorts of emotions as they come up during the session.
Is It Like an Art Class?
No, an art class is focused on teaching technique or creating a specific finished product.
Art therapy is more about letting clients focus on their inner experience, perceptions, imagination, and feelings.
Clients are encouraged to create art that expresses their inner world more than making something that is an expression of the outer world.