Art therapy can mean different things to different art therapists, this description is how I understand and work with art therapy.
Art therapy brings art-making in as an extra tool in the therapy space. Depending on how you choose to use it, creating art can be a space for play, expression, relaxation, and exploration of materials, of creativity, of the self and our minds, bodies, feelings, thoughts, and actions.
Art-making can support relationship building and communication between the therapist and client, in part by taking some pressure off the client to know what they want to express or how they want to express it. It can be helpful when we aren’t able to use, or don’t want to use, words to express something. Making art can help us learn about ourselves and share parts of ourselves with others, if we wish, or just share a moment of play together.
What about analyzing the art?
As an art therapy student, I am asked this question a lot, even by other types of therapists. At most, the art we create in art therapy may be a source of self-analysis. As the creator, our art can express, uncover, or remind us of experiences, values, perspectives, ideas.
An art therapist can support the client/creator in exploring and examining art as a source of meaning. An art therapist may observe, notice attributes (ex. colour, space, features), and ask questions about the art – but in no way do they “psychoanalyze” the art. The role of the art therapist, in my perspective, is to honour the meaning (or even lack of meaning) that a client may find in their art.
What kind of art could we make?
This depends on the client, their interests, goals, and materials. Together, even in a virtual setting, we can find creative ways to make visual art, sound art, words/written art, performance art, sculputural art.
- drawing/painting:
- abstract designs
- scribbles
- mandalas
- landscapes/
environments - portraits
- creatures
- bi-lateral (i.e. using the left and right side of the body at the same time)
- mixed media visual art (2D images or 3D sculptures)
- air-dry clay sculptures
- collages
- zines
- puppets
- simple homemade instruments & intuitive sound creation
- sewing, mending, embroidery projects
- written art:
- stories
- poetry
- plays
- songs
What kind of materials might be used?
While I am not able to provide art materials directly in virtual sessions, there are many things we may have around our homes, or in our neighborhoods, to expand our creative practices.
Materials that may be easier to access at home:
- scrap paper
- pens, pencils
- markers
- pencil crayons
- crayons
- tape, stapler, string, glue
- sewing/mending supplies
- old/worn-out/no longer usable books
- homemade clay using:
- baking soda
- cornstarch
- water
- cooked on a stovetop
- optional: food colouring
- recycled materials:
- Magazines (ask your local library or dentist office)
- Newspaper/flyers, receipts
- Cardboard, paper bags, tissue boxes
- Paper towel/toilet paper rolls
- Fabric/old clothes
- plastic/glass containers
- tissue/packing paper
- small rocks, pebbles, shells – collected with care and consideration for the environment and ecosystems they are in
- plant matter – harvested with extreme care and caution**
- ex. taking already fallen leaves/flowers/fruit/sticks, only taking a little, ensuring you know the plant and its attributes – i.e. any risks/toxicity
- free online art-making programs*
- for example: https://sketch.io/sketchpad/
- *always practice online/digital safety when using websites
Materials that can also be used, if accessible:
- paints:
- watercolour
- acrylic
- paint markers
- oil pastels
- chalk/chalk pastels
- embroidery thread
- yarn
- mixed media/watercolour paper
- colourful paper (ex. construction paper or cardstock)
- paint canvases
- stickers
- crafting supplies:
- beads
- pipecleaners
- pompoms
- glitter glue
- hot glue gun & hot glue
- anything else you can think of!
therapy with yasmine 