ART THERAPY
Check our wellness groups calendar for updated information about the time and location
Check our wellness groups calendar for updated information about the time and location
Take a moment of self-care each week and join Leah, our certified art therapist, for a therapeutic session of creative expression and stress reduction. In her own words, some answers to common questions about art therapy....
What is art therapy?
Art therapy is a form of expressive therapy where art materials are used to help people explore feelings that don't always come easily through words. The creative process in art making can help people to identify issues, which in turn helps them to resolve problems, reduce stress, and improve self-esteem and awareness. In a group setting, sharing in the creative process can help facilitate shared experiences as well as form a connection and closeness to each other.
Who can benefit from art therapy?
Anyone of any age and ability can benefit from art therapy. With a willingness to try, no experience is necessary. Art therapy is a means for understanding ourselves better through the creative process of making art and can be helpful to improve our mental, physical and emotional well-being. Especially now during the pandemic, being a part of an art therapy group can help us stay connected and supported through the more difficult feelings that may come up related to loneliness and isolation.
What materials might I need for art therapy?
Art therapy may include all kinds of different materials including pens on paper, watercolour or acrylic paints on canvas, clay, crayons, collage materials, chalks, fabrics, inks, glues etc. and can include more unusual items such as found objects, recycled materials and household items, like coffee grinds, tea leaves and shaving cream!
For this particular group, if you have a pen and a piece of paper, you are already well equipped to join! As the sessions unfold, we may try and identify other shared materials within the group to try out and if there are specific materials that you are hoping to use or experiment with, those are encouraged and welcome as well.
How can art therapy work over Zoom?
Though the circumstances are quite different, the sense of a shared studio space over Zoom has been possible - and even quite wonderful. I offer some warm-up exercises to help get into the creative spirit of the Wellness Art Therapy group and some art therapy directives which you can choose to try if you wish. There are also opportunities to share your thoughts on the process itself, though you certainly don't have to. The hope is that it is a supportive, safe and friendly space where everyone feels welcome to create, share or self-reflect.
Contact [email protected] with any questions.
What is art therapy?
Art therapy is a form of expressive therapy where art materials are used to help people explore feelings that don't always come easily through words. The creative process in art making can help people to identify issues, which in turn helps them to resolve problems, reduce stress, and improve self-esteem and awareness. In a group setting, sharing in the creative process can help facilitate shared experiences as well as form a connection and closeness to each other.
Who can benefit from art therapy?
Anyone of any age and ability can benefit from art therapy. With a willingness to try, no experience is necessary. Art therapy is a means for understanding ourselves better through the creative process of making art and can be helpful to improve our mental, physical and emotional well-being. Especially now during the pandemic, being a part of an art therapy group can help us stay connected and supported through the more difficult feelings that may come up related to loneliness and isolation.
What materials might I need for art therapy?
Art therapy may include all kinds of different materials including pens on paper, watercolour or acrylic paints on canvas, clay, crayons, collage materials, chalks, fabrics, inks, glues etc. and can include more unusual items such as found objects, recycled materials and household items, like coffee grinds, tea leaves and shaving cream!
For this particular group, if you have a pen and a piece of paper, you are already well equipped to join! As the sessions unfold, we may try and identify other shared materials within the group to try out and if there are specific materials that you are hoping to use or experiment with, those are encouraged and welcome as well.
How can art therapy work over Zoom?
Though the circumstances are quite different, the sense of a shared studio space over Zoom has been possible - and even quite wonderful. I offer some warm-up exercises to help get into the creative spirit of the Wellness Art Therapy group and some art therapy directives which you can choose to try if you wish. There are also opportunities to share your thoughts on the process itself, though you certainly don't have to. The hope is that it is a supportive, safe and friendly space where everyone feels welcome to create, share or self-reflect.
Contact [email protected] with any questions.
Art Therapy at the YD is made possible through the support from the GRACE DART FOUNDATION.