Art Therapy Programs for individuals needing healing, recovery and wellness
Art Therapy
About Art Therapy
Art Therapy is a therapeutic approach to treatment that uses the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, psychological and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages and diagnoses.
Research in the field confirms that the creative process involved in artistic self-expression helps people to resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve insight.
(AATA, 2009)
Why Choose Art Therapy?
When individuals are faced with various challenges in their lives it can be difficult to express their feelings verbally. Art Therapy aims to help those individuals to explore their emotions and feelings in a safe, playful and non-threatening manner.Art making process can be a more powerful form of communication than just words alone. The process of art making is therapeutic in an of itself, but exploring the art verbally with a licensed art therapist allows one to put meaning and understanding to the images created in the session in order to work on appropriate therapeutic goals and objectives of the client. Art Therapy also offers a tactile component to the treatment, allowing one to physically engage on a physiological and sensory-motor level.
No prior art experience or artistic ability is necessary for this treatment approach!
What Materials are used in Art Therapy?
Materials that can be used in an art therapy session are an extremely wide range. Standard art media such as paint, clay, collage and drawing materials, such as pencils, markers & pastels are some examples that often are used in session. Other materials such as wood, feathers, pipe-cleaners, fabric, styrofoam, masks, ribbons, rhinestones, shells, sand, found objects, miniatures, etc. can be used as well.
Sandtray Therapy
Sandtray is an expressive and dynamic therapeutic play process that utilizes sand, water and an extensive collection of miniature objects where the client is encouraged to play with the sand and figures to create their "own world". Meaningful images, conflicts, fears, hopes and dreams can be expressed allowing conscious and unconscious aspects of the self to emerge in a safe, playful manner.
Why Choose Sandtray Therapy?
The Sandtray translates personal experiences into a concrete, three dimensional form. Through the use of figures and objects, whether they take humanistic, animalistic or some imaginative form, one can accurately represent aspects of their lives in such a clear, expressive and symbolic manner without using words which might be difficult or painful to share.
A client also has the unique opportunity to physically and organically work out such emotions through the natural qualities of the sand and water; allowing them to dig, bury or build in meaningful ways. The meaning of the play emerges as the client experiences it and shares it with the Therapist to process with.
About Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy
Individual sessions aim to improve an individual's well-being and mental health, to resolve or work through problematic behaviors, beliefs, compulsions, thoughts, or emotions, and to improve relationships and social skills. Humanistic, cognitive-behavioral and client centered approaches are utilized in therapy sessions, through verbal, writing or role play.
Supervision
One-on-one or group supervision for Students or Professionals in the Creative Art Therapy field. Offer support, supervision or professional development with professional position or when one is attaining credentials in the field.
Disability Awareness
Mission Statement
To increase the awareness and understanding of children with disabilities both physical and non-physical types; in an effort to promote positive attitudes and foster healthy friendships in the mainstream school setting.
Programs Offered
- Presentation in School system (K-8) regarding "Disability Awareness to All"
Includes: Powerpoint presentation, puppet,
story, Q & A. - Follow-up hands-on training in the classroom; including story telling, puppetry, art experience, role-playing and video
- Each program can be catered to the needs of the school and students
Program Goals
1. To increase awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with differences, challenges & disabilities.
2. To promote altruistic and empathetic behaviors by demonstrating tolerance and sensitivity of those with challenges/disabilities.
3. To build confidence, self-esteem, self-worth and validation to those with challenges/ disabilities or special needs.
4. To foster positive friendships and cooperation amongst all children.
Meet Eddie!
A friendly, kind and spirited puppet "boy" with a learning disability and attention issues. He shows everyone how he wants to be just like all the typical boys and girls with his fun and good natured personality, despite his difficult challenges.
"Let your differences make a difference in the world."
-Sahar Andrade