Facilitated by a trained, licensed, and insured professional, therapy or counselling is the process of using talking in order to work out how to deal with negative thoughts and feelings and make positive changes in one’s life.
In art therapy, art making is integrated in order to help the therapeutic process. Different mediums and exercises will be used in order to engage creativity, use symbolism or metaphors to deepen exploration or to supplement the therapeutic experience.
Finding the right therapist can be a challenge. It can be difficult opening up and finding someone you trust. In some therapy relationships, we might feel judged, uncomfortable or like the therapist isn’t right for us. It’s important to engage in self-reflection after meeting with a new therapist, because trust is one of the most important factors for success in therapy.
There is no way to predict an exact timeline for change in one’s life. It can be frustrating to be in therapy and not see immediate results. Similar to personal training or physical therapy, it’s not just the individual session that counts, but all of the personal work and lifestyle changes that need to happen outside of the therapy room.
There are various therapeutic approaches that may or may not work for different people. Struggling with mental health issues is difficult as is and it can feel daunting to start therapy again. Sometimes, enormous growth can happen between our last visit to therapy and our need to go back, even if we are not fully aware of this. This can positively impact therapeutic results. Resilience is key when it comes to overcoming mental health issues, it is important to try our best to not give up hope that change is possible.
While it is perfectly understandable to want what’s best for our loved ones and may think that it is important for them to go to therapy, one of the key factors in predicting change is one’s own motivation. If you have a loved one who is struggling, it is important to be supportive and patient until they are ready. If you are experiencing fatigue or burnout from caring for your loved one, therapy may actually be a helpful support for you.
Individual therapy can be expensive. I commit to offering a number of sliding scale spots on my client list. Group therapy is also a cost effective, impactful way to access therapy. While it may be scary to share our issues in a group, the supportive feeling of group therapy can help provide a sense of community, understanding and belonging.
As adults, we rarely have time for creativity and play. Using art can help us engage a part of ourselves which has laid dormant for many years. The process of creativity can help us to use symbolism, metaphors, experimentation and play to process our issues.
A standard, individual therapy session is 50 minutes long. Unlike a regular conversation, the focus is on only one person, you. The therapist will offer support, active listening, validation, ask questions and share insights. All of these things will be done with the intention to help the client work through their problems.
The main difference between art therapy and regular therapy is the integration of art-making! Clients will be invited to create art either using a clear directive or using free association. After art making, thoughtful reflection and discussion about the art is facilitated by the therapist. All artwork is kept securely in the office of the therapist.
While our relationships with others undoubtedly have an impact on our lives, it is important to maintain clear boundaries in the therapeutic relationship. For this reason, in my practice, unless the therapy sessions begin as couples or family counselling, partners, friends and family members cannot join clients in their therapy sessions.