Art Therapy is a mental health modality where a client uses art materials with an Art Therapist for healing. There are over 5000 Registered Art Therapists in the United States through the American Art Therapy Association and Art Therapy Credentials Board. Art Therapy is worldwide. Art Therapy is licensed in about 16 states and advocating for an Art Therapy license in Michigan is in the works. Art Therapy dates back to the 1920's and is practiced in a variety of environments with a range of populations for different reasons. For more information about the field I encourage you to visit my Resources page.
During sessions clients use the materials to communicate, be creative for stress relief, express emotion or process a problem. There is usually verbal discussion in a session with an Art Therapist. The art making and conversing between the client and the Art Therapist is all confidential as with talk psychotherapy. The kinds of art materials and directives utilized with the client in a session evolve throughout treatment and are based on a variety of factors. What takes place depends on factors such as: the needs and interests of the client, the Art Therapist's theoretical orientation, the materials available, the environment and the therapeutic relationship.The evolving experience of a session is emblematic of the role of the Art Therapist and their level of professional training. There is more information on the About page to give you an idea of what sessions are like with me. I also send along more information when we connect through email and get started.
Some of the directives and materials I enjoy using are, dream recall, mask making, mandalas, wreaths and bowls, ongoing canvas pieces, collage and destroyed book/journal, photography and life review, digital art, painted objects, self portrait work, pastels, clay, watercolor and drawing, sewing and fabric. I love mixed materials! However, it is important to note that healing and processing creatively can be accomplished simply with a pencil and a piece of paper or whatever is laying around the house, so being artsy isn't required. Part of my job is making sure you are comfortable and assisting you express what you need to with the materials.