“Imagination is more important than knowledge.”
Albert Einstein
Expressive Art Therapy (EAT) is about reclaiming your power to heal yourself. It combines psychology and the creative process to help you gain insight into obstacles that prevent you from doing the things you want in life. EAT blends a passion for art, the creative process, and the skills of counseling. Many people think you need to be an artist to be creative, but this is not the case. Using the creative process is often a fun and non-threatening way for expressing thoughts and feelings you never knew you had. You will learn new and different ways to use the nonverbal language of creativity to communicate what is on your mind. Messages often come to us from images and metaphor rather than finding the right words with which to communicate. It is an exploration into your inner world that uses your senses to enhance the outcome of your counseling experience.
All that you learned in Kindergarten art class is “good enough” for you to derive benefit from the expressive art process. You do not have to worry about creating a great work of art. As a matter of fact, the more you concern yourself with a finished product, the less likely you are to engage with the creative process and what your mind is trying to communicate. EAT uses a variety of modalities, tools and techniques for self-discovery, such as: visual art, dance/movement, music/drama, writing/poetry. I use a variety of visual art modalities in my work with you, such as collage, chalk pastels, charcoal, color pencils, crayons, graphite, ink, markers, oil pastels, watercolor pencils, watercolor and acrylic paints, found objects and any other method of your choosing. I also use meditation, journaling creative writing, and poetry to assist you with your creative process. EAT helps reduce stress and puts you at ease during counseling sessions.
What are some of the benefits of using art in counseling sessions?
- Emotional and physical healing
- Enhances your counseling experience
- Promotes self-awareness
- Bridge to self-understanding
- Promotes self-expression
- Stimulates new ideas
- Doesn’t require any artistic skill
I am a graduate of the Prescott College School of Counseling, Expressive Art Therapy program. I have completed a 1000-hour, supervised clinical internship using the healing process for clients with anxiety and depression, cancer, dementia, addictions, and grief and loss.
Read more: Drawing From the Wisdom of the Body by Jennifer Lock Oman LISW, BCD
I am here to help you explore yourself in a related, non-judgmental way. Please schedule a creative art session with me today.
