Art Therapy
“Art is a kind of innate drive that seizes a human being and makes him its instrument. The artist is not a person endowed with free will who seeks his own ends, but one who allows art to realize its purpose through him."
- C.G. Jung
What Is Art Therapy?
As helpful as it can be, ordinary talk therapy has its limits. So much of what goes on in the mind is unconscious. So many feelings and experiences are too complex to verbally express. As a result, talk therapy often ends up scratching the surface instead of getting to the deeper issues that really matter.
Art therapy uses the creative process to do what talk therapy can’t. It generally works more efficiently than talk therapy and provides an outlet for thoughts and emotions that can’t be put into words. The act of creation becomes a safe holding space in which you can explore the symbolic meanings of lines, shapes, and colors. This process allows you to release painful emotions, achieve new insights, and understand yourself on a deeper level.
What’s more, you don’t have to be the next Van Gogh to find art therapy helpful. The emphasis is on how the creative process helps you, not on how technically impressive your work of art is. In this way, anyone can benefit from using the creative arts in therapy.
How Effective Is Art Therapy And Who Can It Help?
The term “art therapy” was coined by Adrian Hill in 1942, but people all throughout history have found solace, meaning and peace in the expressive arts¹. Cave paintings from thousands of years ago show humanity’s first attempts to imagine a world of possibilities beyond the present moment. The development of art is essentially the story of humanity itself, from primitive cave reliefs to complex orchestras and massively ambitious novels. The arts aren’t just an escape from our troubles—they help us see our lives in a clearer light, allow us to let go of difficult emotions, and remind us of our shared humanity.
Research has consistently found that art therapy improves mental health and reduces stress². Just 45 minutes of making art has been proven to lower cortisol levels, and cortisol is a stress-related hormone³. This is true regardless of how much prior experience someone has with a particular art form. In other words, anyone can benefit from making art whether they’re a novice or an expert.
In my practice, I use art therapy to help neurodivergent children and adults, women exploring past trauma, people with serious mental illnesses and chronic medical issues, and adults struggling with substance abuse and addiction. I also use it to help people deal with everyday stressors and major life transitions. No matter what my clients are struggling with, I find that art therapy helps them enrich their lives, reduce their anxiety, and learn new truths about themselves.
“My speech is imperfect. Not because I want to shine with words, but out of the impossibility of finding those words, I speak in images. With nothing else can I express the words from the depths.”
What Does Art Therapy Look Like?
Everyone has different artistic talents and preferences. That’s why I encourage you to use whatever art form resonates most with you. In sessions with me, you are welcome to paint, draw, build with clay, make collages, or practice any other kind of visual art.
I also use a lot of phototherapy. Since I was a teenager, I have studied and incorporated photography as a therapeutic way to explore the nature of the inner and outer worlds. Using images of your own or images from other photographers, you can learn to articulate what’s on your mind, reflect on your experience, and get in touch with your emotions.
No matter which art form you choose to work with, my goal is to engage you through the act of creation and the verbal processing that happens during and afterwards. We will explore any thoughts, feelings, and concerns that come up for you as you make your work of art. This can help you gain new insights into your situation and even find potential solutions for it.
For example, maybe you choose to use watercolors and find it hard to be precise and feel in control with your brushes. You and I can explore how this relates to lack of control in your own life and what you can do when you don’t feel in control.
Above all, I encourage you to let your art speak for itself. You don’t have to assign meaning to your works of art beforehand and you don’t have to try and force meaning out of them. What’s more, your work doesn’t always have to be profound and complex—art therapy is about having fun, too. It’s a chance to relax, detach from everyday stressors, and freely express yourself.
My Own Artistic Background And How It Impacts My Approach To Therapy
Through my own art-making practice, I have experienced art as an energetic force and a source of healing. The act of creation has helped me release painful thoughts and emotions and given me the opportunity to visually and symbolically express my dreams and desires. It is because of these experiences that I wish to bring the powerful process of art therapy to others.
My background is in photography and mixed media drawings and I completed my Master’s in Clinical Art Therapy and Counseling in 2017. Before becoming a licensed, board-certified art therapist, I taught visual arts courses in both the private and public sector for over 20 years. I worked with all ages and a variety of populations. Between my love of art and my professional training, I am confident that I can help you find a creative outlet that works for you!
Experience The Healing Power Of Creation
Whether you love painting, building, or any other form of creative expression, I want you to experience the therapeutic power of art for yourself. To get started, you can call me at 917-819-5014 or use the contact form to schedule a free, 15-minute phone consultation.
Have any questions? Send us a message!
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Art Therapy In Rockville Centre, NY
100 N Village Ave,
Rockville Centre, NY 11570