Pillow Talk – Expressive Arts Activity
by Dr. Deah Schwartz
Therapeutic Tidbit of the Month
“April is the cruelest month,” wrote the poet T.S. Eliot, in his poem, The Wasteland. “breeding lilacs out of the deadland. Mixing memory and desire. Stirring dull roots with spring rain.” April is also National Poetry Month and for those who think that Poets do not have a sense of humor, do you think it was an accident that members of the National Poet’s Society have been known to distribute free copies of Eliot’s The Wasteland to Post Offices around the country on Tax Day…a Cruel Day for many…smack dab in the middle of April??
April is also National Humor Month and National Stress Awareness Month and starts off with April Fool’s Day on the first and ending with National Honesty Day on the 30th! Something about the symmetry of that amuses me.
For the most observant people of the Jewish faith, Seders are winding up as the last night of Passover is on April 2nd. Seders are challenging for people with eating disorders and body image issues, like most holidays the emphasis is frequently on the food and how much everyone loves the food, how much food every one eats, and how everyone looks in their holiday outfits. I’ve written about this in past Schmooze-letters and Blogs which can be found on my website complete with suggestions and personal reflections on managing the age old question, “Why is this night different from all other nights?” Continue reading »
Expressive Arts Activity of the Month: “Spring Gleaning”
Therapeutic Tidbit of the Month
“In like a lion out like a lamb,” such is the reputation of the month of March. Weather fluctuations aside, March is a month where the symbolism of dualities and transitioning is evident and many challenges await for those dealing with Eating Disorders and Body Dissatisfaction.
Spring is officially sprung on the 20th of March, St. Patrick’s brings us challenges of alcohol consumption and food centric holidays abound with the 23rd being Purim and the Seders of Passover commencing on the 25th. Then Easter rolls in on the 31st and is yet another holiday centered on candy aka chocolate eggs and marshmallow peeps. And just as an aside, did you know that March is both National Nutrition Month AND National Frozen Food Month?!! Talk about duality!
As people begin shaking off their winter coats and emerging from their layers of down and sweaters, the prospect of more skin showing becomes a reality. This may trigger body image panic to come out of hibernation and the overwhelming urge to “do something drastic” in the guise of spring cleaning for many folks grappling with disordered eating and body dissatisfaction. We can ameliorate some of these urges by taking a proactive approach so let’s look at some of the associations with spring.
The season is about rebirth, reemerging from sleep, blooming. Springs of water are replenishing and circulating. Springs are not stagnant. Springs have bounce. Spring coils have the power to propel. When we look at a spring we see that although it is circular and gives the impression of redundancy and repetition, it also has the sense of upward movement, support, and resiliency.
So while we may be tempted to go from one extreme to another, from hibernation to full action, let’s remember that this is a time of transition and thoughtful movement. As we let go of old habits and behaviors that are self-destructive, reinforce our negative self-image, and impair self- acceptance, let’s remember to hold on to the aspects of ourselves that are working for us. This is NOT an all or nothing proposition. Let’s use our inner strength and self-devotion as foundations and spring boards to healthier relationships with food and a blossoming acceptance of the wonders of our body’s natural shape. Continue reading »
Top 12 Liu Bolin Invisible Man Paintings
You may not have heard of Liu Bolin, and you probably haven’t seen him either. But it’s possible he’s standing right next to you. One of my favorite artists, Liu Bolin injects himself into everyday settings. Known as The Invisible Man, Liu takes a unique and creative approach to performance art. Check out a short video about Liu and then see what we’ve deemed are the Top 12 Liu Bolin Invisible Man Pictures/Paintings:
How Chinese Artist, Liu Bolin, Becomes The Invisible Man
“…my art is cultural. It represents the diminishing humanity in today’s society. I use my art to be retrospective on culture…the environment and fast economic development.”
Video: Art & The Mind – Creativity
The following video is about art, creativity, and their effects on the mind. It was created by PBS and is hosted by Lisa Kudrow. The full video is embedded here and we’ve also created a transcript of the video if you’d like to read along. Continue reading »
‘Thought of You’ – A Creative Love Story Animated
We have a wonderful little treat for all of you on this Valentine’s Day. To say it’s just a video is to say very little about this. It’s a beautifully complete story, animation, and all-around well-crafted piece of art. It’s a great story for Valentine’s Day and covers the gamut of different emotions and relationships in about 3 minutes…pretty amazing huh? Continue reading »
Valentine’s Day Art Activities, Ideas, Projects
Valentine’s Day is a great time of year to do something special for someone you love. Although Valentine’s Day has become rather over-commercialized, there are still concepts from the holiday that we should apply to our everyday lives.
For example, let’s talk about the concept of Love. Love is a strange beast that comes in many different forms. It can flirt with you, make you happy, hurt you, overcome you, and confuse you all at the same time. It comes in all shapes and sizes, and from all different directions. The concept of Love can mean many different things for many different people. Continue reading »
SprED the Word – Therapeutic Expressive Arts Activity for Eating Disorder Awareness Month
by Dr. Deah Schwartz
Therapeutic Tidbit of the Month
Did you know that February is National Eating Disorders Awareness Month? February is also a month of unique challenges for our clients and those of us working in the fields of eating disorders, health and wellness, body image, and size acceptance. With the holiday season behind us, February provides the chance to settle back into normal routines and less hectic schedules. The decrease in food related activities and parties may bring relief to those who struggle with weight cycling diets, binge eating, and other issues related to food. Predictably, it is also the time that many of last month’s New Year’s resolutions to diet, work out, and lose weight begin to dissolve and are replaced by feelings of panic, disappointment, and anxiety. What could be a time for feeling more relaxed and less pressured instead leaves some people spiraling down into feelings of failure and self-contempt.
And yes…there is Valentine’s Day. A holiday with seemingly good intentions of expressing our love for each other, often has the paradoxical effect of people feeling unloved and unlovable if they are not recognized by someone else as special. And of course, what is the most common way of showing someone that we love them on Valentine’s Day??? Continue reading »
Color Therapy & Healing – An Introduction
It is everywhere you look, and everywhere you don’t look. You delight in its marvels both consciously and sub-consciously. You see color all the time, but how often do you think about its origins and effects? In a series of articles, we are going to explore this topic further. With this first article, we’ll go over some basics of color therapy and healing. You can read the next 2 articles here: 1) Color Meanings and 2) Color Psychology. You can also download our color meaning and symbolism charts.
Continue reading »
Make Your Own Kind of Music (Therapy)
by “You’ve got to make your own kind of music, sing your own special song. Make your own kind of music, even if nobody else sings along.” – Cass Elliot
The purpose of this activity is to begin to explore our own definition of what is consonant and dissonant about our self-image. In the Western Culture most of us are trained to feel tension when we hear dissonant chords and to feel harmony or release when the chord or tone is changed to consonant. But our responses to music are subjective and each one of us has our own unique preference to what music we enjoy, and what sound combinations cause us to feel.
Our culture has also influenced our opinion of our bodies and how we feel about ourselves. This activity is designed to help separate or identify sources of our negative body image and begin to define our own sense of body acceptance. Continue reading »
Note to Self – Therapeutic Expressive Arts Activity
The winter holiday season when stripped of the emphasis on commercialism and overindulgence is, at its roots, about joy, peace, and the changing of the season. Remembering to find time to tune into those aspects during the month of December is challenging but truly helpful if we want to stay connected to the inner cues our body is sending us re: our physical, emotional, and social needs. This Art Directive is a playful way to remember how NOT to lose ourselves while engaged in the whirlwind of giving to others.
Materials
Blank Postcards, Postcard Postage Stamps, Markers, Pens, Scissors, Glue Sticks, Magazines. (I always get my postcards from the Post Office but there are online sources now like Vista Print, Flickr, etc. that have special pricings or cut out 4×6 inch cards from cardstock). Continue reading »
Last Minute Holiday Art Therapy Ideas
The holidays can be a stressful time of year for a lot of people. Although many people are on vacation and have some time off during the holidays, it’s not always the most relaxing time of year. Stress during the holidays can stem from family, friends, finding gifts, holiday traffic, long lines, money…you get the idea. Continue reading »
Art Therapy & Art Related Christmas Gift Ideas
Looking for a Christmas gift related to art or art therapy? Browse our online Art Therapy Store via Amazon! The store is hand picked with books about art therapy as well as books related to arts, photography and more. For example you, or someone you know, may want a new coffee table art book? You could get them the wonderful book, Art Therapy Exercises
The Inspiring Alice Herz-Sommer – Dancing Under the Gallows
**Update: Happy Birthday Alice! You are an amazing lady and a true inspiration to us all. You can watch a more recent interview of her here.
“I have lived through many wars and have lost everything many times – including my husband, my mother and my beloved son. Yet, life is beautiful, and I have so much to learn and enjoy. I have no space nor time for pessimism and hate.” ~Alice Herz-Sommer
Just watching and hearing Alice speak is inspiring. Getting to know her and what she went through is awe-inspiring. We’re excited to see the new documentary coming out about Alice Herz-Sommer (you can watch the official trailer below). Continue reading »
A Thanksgiving Art Therapy Exercise For Groups or Individuals: Thank You Cards
All too often we focus on the negative aspects of our relationship with food, and our bodies. We forget that we may have developed some of our attitudes and actions for reasons that, at the time, were the best coping strategies we could come up with. Eventually we may outgrow these strategies or they may become inappropriate and, at times, self destructive. We intellectually know that it is time to let them go, but process takes time. In the meantime, it is important not to vilify yourself for what you have done to take care of yourself the best way you knew how. Thanking your body, fat and all, is a healing action. Thanking your food and what it did to help you is also a healthy part of the process of change.
Writing these notes, is a tangible ritual that concretizes this process and allows for the client to consider moving forward. Continue reading »
MElection Day
This time of year we are bombarded by slogans, campaign ads, persuasive friends and family members’ opinions and urgings to, “do the right thing” as Election Day nears. When it is a Presidential election year, these influences are amped up to another level. But when we go into that voting booth or face our absentee ballot we are alone with our pencil. The choice is all ours. No one has to know whom we chose or why. We are free to make our own decisions unfettered by external pressure.
This is good advice for living our lives as well. November is not the only month when we are flooded with endless messages from the media, loved ones, and colleagues to make certain choices and be the person they want us to be, or give control over to someone more competent. But when it comes right down to it, it is our choice what we do and how we live our life. It is our choice how we feel about our bodies, manage our stress, and take care of ourselves.
The purpose of this Therapeutic Arts Directive is to Continue reading »
A “Creepy” Art Therapy Activity for Halloween
Halloween art by Megan Stringfellow.
It’s that time of year when the air and leaves are crisp. It’s a colorful time for most and winter is fast-approaching. Halloween is almost here which means Thanksgiving and Christmas will be here before you know it! This Halloween we’re going to try a more festive activity. But first a little refresher on the history of Halloween.
Music Infuses Life
The following article is from one of our Contributing Authors, and an accomplished weaver and fiber artist, Aneesha Parrone. Here are some of her previous articles: Assisted Living Activities for Seniors and Arts Activities Helping Seniors With Alzheimer’s, Needle Felting to Help People With Dementia, Needle Felting Wool into a Felt Wallet.
When I began my theme for this year, my intention was to create a series of “art history” lessons to stimulate participation from my friends in assisted living. For each lesson, I created a chart with 4 parts, one question in each quadrant with space to write. With each historical artist, I chose open ended questions that would elicit a response. Sometimes that response required my participation and direct encouragement, sometimes members of the class could write independently. Over the last few years, my friends and I have grown together in our relationship. The stage has been set for success. The orientation: Keep it simple; keep it short; keep it immediate. Also, the written format I use for these “art history” lessons has provided an opportunity for each person to actively and verbally respond first.
In all practicality, some of my students do not have a solid historical memory, and some cannot remember 20 minutes later what our class discussion entailed. The heart though, remembers a hug, remembers a smile and remembers the acknowledgment of insight…especially, it seems, when music is played. The mind and heart love to learn, to express, to grow in the light of the creatively joyous. Music is a tool that has energized my friends to initiate the hugs, the appreciation, the smiles…and participation. For some a voluntary incipient response is a huge leap into the present moment, an immediacy of healing. Continue reading »
Unmasked – Expressive Arts Therapy Directive
The following expressive arts directive is called Unmasked and is by contributing guest author Dr. Deah Schwartz. Once a month, Dr. Schwartz shares an art therapy idea or activity to facilitate exploration, increased awareness and healing in the areas of body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. Some of these activities may need to be facilitated over more than one session, or modified for different ability levels, size of group, budget and size of work space. Learn more about eating disorder therapy here.
Each month I offer an Expressive Arts Therapy directive that focuses on Body Image and or Eating Disorders. These directives may be used in individual or group therapy sessions or as self-help activities. Sometimes the activity itself is nothing new or brilliant but the Objective of the directive is unique and specifically tailored to exploring issues related to body image and disordered eating. ENJOY! Fun is the main ingredient!
This Expressive Arts Therapy directive challenges the participant to make a mask that represents a part of them that is typically masked by other aspects of their personality, or behaviors. By exploring some possibilities of what is being masked by our eating patterns and or body dissatisfaction we can address our fears and fantasies of what we would do or who we would be if we took that mask off.
Objective:
Wearing a mask in our society is typically associated with costume parties and Halloween. We often select masks in order to try on other personas that are different from our day to day personalities. This month, let’s look at masks from a slightly different perspective. What do we mask with our body hate and disordered eating and why? If our attention wasn’t consistently focused on weight and body image issues what other aspects of who we are would be revealed?
Continue reading »
Find a Job as an Art Therapist
Are you interested in a career as an art therapist? If so, you’ve found the right place. If you’re ready to see what’s currently available you can search for jobs below or you can click here.
Navigating a potential career as an art therapist is not easy right now. There are lots of questions and confusion both inside and outside of the industry. There are also many varying opinions on whether art therapy will stand on its own, much like music and speech therapy, or whether it will continue down the path of being considered a part of the counseling arena. Depending on what you believe, there are advantages and disadvantages to all sides and its good to research this and form your own opinion.
We have a variety of art therapy career articles including: Career Outlook, How to Become an Art Therapist, Certification (U.S. and International), Salary Trends and an example of art therapy in practice.
Expressive Arts Therapy Idea: Mapping Out Change
The following expressive arts therapy idea is called Mapping Out Change and is by contributing guest author Dr. Deah Schwartz. Once a month, Dr. Schwartz shares an art therapy idea or activity to facilitate exploration, increased awareness and healing in the areas of body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. Some of these activities may need to be facilitated over more than one session, or modified for different ability levels, size of group, budget and size of work space. Learn more about eating disorder therapy here.
Title: Mapping Out Change
Why This Idea?
New classes, new books, new friends, new schools, new campus, new roommates…it must be September! September is a month that for many is fraught with changes. Change can be great for many people and welcomed with open mind, hearts, and feelings of excitement and anticipation. But too much change may be overwhelming and result in feelings of anxiety and loss of control. Feeling out of control may instigate some impulsive actions in order to regain a sense of control. It is helpful to have a “map” of what changes are ahead and to identify ways to manage the changes that are not self-destructive or ineffective. Continue reading »
Requirements for Becoming an Art Therapist – Education, Degrees, and Advice
The following article should serve as a rough guideline/checklist for those people wanting to secure a professional art therapy job with proper certification, you are typically required to complete preparatory bachelor’s degree courses before being admitted to a Master’s Degree program, as determined by the AATA. In order to become a professional art therapist, you are required to complete a graduate level Master’s degree in art therapy. Alternatively, you can get a Master’s degree in a counseling-related field with an emphasis in art therapy.
Continue reading »
August Expressive Arts Directive: Grown-up Transitional Object
The following expressive arts therapy directive is called Grown-up Transitional Object and is by contributing guest author Dr. Deah Schwartz. Once a month, Dr. Schwartz shares an art therapy idea or activity to facilitate exploration, increased awareness and healing in the areas of body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. Some of these activities may need to be facilitated over more than one session, or modified for different ability levels, size of group, budget and size of work space. Learn more about eating disorder therapy.
Title: Grown-up Transitional Object
Why This Activity?
This is a specific application for a classic crafts activity, decoupage, or a do it yourself version of the recent popular inspirational or motivational stones. We tend to lose our center or our “home” when we are facing a life change, or transition. Turtles and snails are two creatures that carry their homes with them where ever they go. They don’t change who they are based on where they are or what others expect of them. They are symbols of moving slowly and methodically. This activity helps the participants to explore and identify safe, constant, and positive aspects of themselves and create a concrete reminder they can carry with them. Continue reading »
Personal Declaration of Independence
The following art therapy idea/activity is called Declaration of Independence and is by contributing guest author Dr. Deah Schwartz. Once a month, Dr. Schwartz shares an art therapy idea to facilitate exploration, increased awareness and healing in the areas of body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. Some of these directives may need to be facilitated over more than one session, or modified for different ability levels, size of group, budget and size of work space. Learn more about eating disorder therapy.
Title: Personal Declaration of Independence
Materials:
A copy of the Declaration of Independence, parchment paper (or regular paper if parchment paper is not available), pen and ink, magazines, scissors and glue sticks. Continue reading »
Call For Artists: Expressions of Hope Calendar for Cancer Care by ASCO
For those who may be interested, we received information about a Call for Artists from someone at the American Cancer Society of Clinical Oncology. Also, there is no fee to submit artwork!
I work at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), a non-profit organization representing physicians who care for people with cancer. I would like to inform you that ASCO is currently seeking artwork submissions for our annual Expressions of Hope wall calendar. Cancer has a profound effect on all the lives it touches, and we invite anyone who has been affected by cancer – patients, friends, families, caregivers – to share their emotions through art and inspire hope in others.
More information can be found below or by clicking here. To complete your official entry, you must also submit the artwork submission form (PDF). Continue reading »
Crystal Ball – An Art Therapy Idea for Reducing Stress During Times of Transition
The following art therapy idea/activity is called Crystal Ball and is by contributing guest author Dr. Deah Schwartz. Once a month, Dr. Schwartz shares an art therapy idea to facilitate exploration, increased awareness and healing in the areas of body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. Some of these directives may need to be facilitated over more than one session, or modified for different ability levels, size of group, budget and size of work space. Learn more about eating disorder therapy.
Title: Crystal Ball
Materials: Drawing paper, markers, pencils
Continue reading »
Four Eating Disorder Therapy Activities & Exercises
The following eating disorder therapy activities were designed by Australian Art therapist and School Counsellor Sheree Sams who is also a contributing guest author here at Art Therapy. Continue reading »
Kids’ Sacred Places: Rooms for Believing and Belonging by Kelee Katillac
Kelee Katillac, founder of Design Gives Back, is giving back to the art therapy community and giving away her book Kids’ Sacred Places. You can read more about how Kelee and her team help kids through difficult times by incorporating her talent for interior design with the therapeutic benefits of creativity. Continue reading »
Mother’s Day Art Therapy Idea: My Mother Myself
The following art therapy idea and activity is called My Mother Myself and is by contributing guest author Dr. Deah Schwartz. Once a month, Dr. Schwartz shares an art therapy idea to facilitate exploration, increased awareness and healing in the areas of body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. Some of these directives may need to be facilitated over more than one session, or modified for different ability levels, size of group, budget and size of work space. Learn more about eating disorder therapy. Continue reading »
What’s My Line: Drawing and Art Activity to Help With Self Criticism and Judgement
The following group art and drawing activity is called What’s My Line? and is by contributing guest author Dr. Deah Schwartz. It’s a variation on an old children’s party game. Once a month, Dr. Schwartz shares an art activity to facilitate exploration, increased awareness and healing in the areas of body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. Some of these directives may need to be facilitated over more than one session, or modified for different ability levels, size of group, budget and size of work space. Learn more about eating disorder therapy.
Materials:
- Felt tipped markers (at least two different colors)
- Drawing paper
- One timer
How To Do This Group Art Activity
Divide the group into pairs and give each person in the pair a different color marker and a stack of drawing paper. (With obvious modifications, this can also be used for a 1:1 session). Continue reading »
SOLIPSIST by Andrew Huang is a Visual and Philosophical Treat
SOLIPSIST is an experimental short film by Andrew Huang that recently won the Special Jury Prize at Slamdance 2012. This short film by Andrew explores the philosophical idea called solipsism. Solipsism, to summarize, is the concept that we can only be sure of what exists in our mind.
This is one of the most interesting and creative videos we’ve seen in a while. It also fits nicely into our credo of “inspiring others to create.” Enjoy and let Andrew Huang take you on a visual and philosophical journey! Continue reading »
Needle Felting Wool to Create a Felt Wallet
The following is a guest post by one of our Contributing authors, and an accomplished weaver and fiber artist, Aneesha Parrone. This is the second installment about Aneesha’s work using needle felting with residents of an assisted living facility. These residents are typically senior citizens and elderly adults who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. This article is an art therapy idea and activity she uses to help people with dementia. You can read her previous articles: Assisted Living Activities for Seniors; and Examples of Arts Activities Helping Seniors With Alzheimer’s and Dementia Remember Continue reading »
Using Needle & Wool Felting to Help People With Dementia
The following is a guest post by one of our Contributing Authors, and an accomplished weaver and fiber artist, Aneesha Parrone. This is the first installment about Aneesha’s work using needle felting with residents of an assisted living facility. These residents are senior citizens and elderly adults who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. You can read her previous articles: Assisted Living Activities for Seniors and Examples of Arts Activities Helping Seniors With Alzheimer’s and Dementia Remember. Continue reading »
Making Hand Puppets or Glove Puppets For Kids & Groups
The following art activity for making hand and glove puppets for kids or groups is by contributing guest author Dr. Deah Schwartz. Every month, Dr. Schwartz shares an art therapy exercise to facilitate exploration, increased awareness and healing in the areas of body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. Some of these directives may need to be facilitated over more than one session, or modified for different ability levels, size of group, budget and size of work space. Learn more about eating disorder therapy. Continue reading »
Art Therapy Certification for Careers in the United States and Abroad
Art therapy is an expanding field that is gaining more acceptance as a form of psychotherapy. With roots in both psychology and art, it is now governed by its own national and international associations. Professional art therapists are master’s level practitioners who don’t necessarily need certification to practice in the field. However, new art therapists may be required to obtain a state license. To become a Board Certified art therapist in the United States, one must be certified through the Art Therapy Credentials Board. Many other countries have their own certification processes as well. Certification has its advantages and can allow for more career opportunities, as well as providing a clear structure of principles and ethics to guide the practice. Read some of our articles about art therapy education (such as requirements and career advice) for more info. Continue reading »
Advent(ure) Calendars – An Expressive Arts Activity for the New Year
The following art therapy exercise is by contributing guest author Dr. Deah Schwartz. Every month, Dr. Schwartz shares an art therapy exercise to facilitate exploration, increased awareness and healing in the areas of body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. Some of these directives may need to be facilitated over more than one session, or modified for different ability levels, size of group, budget and size of work space. Learn more about eating disorder therapy. Continue reading »
Art Therapy – 2011 Year in Review (Part 3)
This is the final installment of the 2011 Year in Review Art Therapy series. Here is Part 1 and Part 2. Please leave a comment and let us know what kind of articles you’d like to see more of in 2012!
This final installment is all about inspiration…inspiring articles, videos, and our inspiring Featured Artists & Art Therapists! Continue reading »
Art Therapy – 2011 Year in Review (Part 2)
Welcome to Part 2 of 3 of the Art Therapy Year in Review series (Part 1 is here). Thank you again to our loyal readers and fans!
Art Therapy – 2011 Year in Review (Part 1)
As we reflect on years past and especially 2011, we realize what an amazing impact and influence the Art Therapy site has had on the art community and especially the art therapy community at large. We’ve seen many more art therapy blogs, articles and social media communities appear online in the last year than ever before, which is fantastic and a sign that our goal to help spread the word about art and creativity continues to be a success! Continue reading »
December Art Therapy Activity – Permission Slips
The following art therapy exercise is by contributing guest author Dr. Deah Schwartz. If you like this activity, stay tuned for more art therapy exercises from Dr. Schwartz in the future as she explores ways to help people with body image issues through her own variety of eating disorder therapy. Continue reading »
Music Therapy in China Helps Treat Hearing Conditions
The following video discusses the benefits of music therapy with people who have hearing conditions, specifically people who have constant ringing in their ears with no external source, otherwise known as tinnitus. The video talks about using music therapy to help heal the mental aspects as opposed to the physical aspects of tinnitus. Continue reading »
Can Art Be Medicine?
The Foundation for Arts & Healing has created a great video that fits in perfectly with the Art Therapy motto of “inspiring others to create.” The video offers some great testimonials from people that have directly benefited from creating their chosen form of art. The video discusses some of the benefits of creative expression and art, but also talks about how we still have a long way to go before this is a more accepted form of therapy and healing. At the same time, the video starts off by saying how art has been woven into the fabric of every culture and society throughout history.
You can watch it below as well as read the transcript of the video. Continue reading »
Expressive Art Therapy Technique: Body Tracing With Love
The following art therapy technique is by our newest guest author Dr. Deah Schwartz. Please welcome Dr. Schwartz to the Art Therapy Team! If you like this activity, stay tuned for more art therapy techniques from Dr. Schwartz in the future as she explores ways to help people with body image and eating disorder issues. Continue reading »
Harli Tree – Featured Artist From England With Multiple Personalities & Dissociative Identity Disorder
This month’s Featured Artist was actually nominated by an art therapist that has worked with her. We’re honored to present such a unique artist and interview. We encourage you to not only view Harli’s beautiful artwork, but also her/their intriguing interview! Continue reading »
Australian Psychotherapist Discusses Benefits of Art Therapy for People With Mental Illness
The following interview (MP3) was done in Australia with a psychotherapist and the topic of discussion is how art is used as therapy for people with a mental illness.
Transcript from the interview:
Dr. Chris James:
Art therapy is a very simple process of separating the thinking mind from the observing mind. When we think thoughts, they’re usually fleeting thoughts and we don’t give them a great deal of consideration. Very often we act on those inappropriately. Continue reading »
Woman Crochets for Brain Injury Awareness and Art Therapy
The following was sent to us by Laurie Roman and fits right in with our motto. Have a good story you’d like to share as well? Learn how you can promote art and creativity here. You can also read more about what art therapy is and its benefits.
Crocheting for Brain Injury Awareness and Art Therapy
Prior to a head injury in 2006 I was a Freelance Native American Family History & Food Writer Researcher & Speaker.
That all ended when I was sent flying backwards head first into a cinder block wall. Continue reading »
Introducing: Art Therapy {Lite}
Do you love art & creativity? Then you’ll love our new site (or at least we think you will)! Art Therapy {Lite} is a “light” version of this site. It’s a place where we share all sorts of art that we find interesting, cool, creative or inspiring.
It’s like a quick dose of art+creativity for your day. The doses will typically contain images, but sometimes also video, sound, and/or poetry. You can visit Art Therapy {Lite} at http://arttherapy.me/. You can also follow Art Therapy on Twitter to receive tweets whenever we post something new on Art Therapy {Lite}. Continue reading »
Art Therapy Helps 9/11 Sufferers Years Later, Exhibits Art Work on 10th Anniversary
Here’s a great story and upcoming exhibit that is another testament to the power of art therapy, and how the arts can benefit people in so many ways.
An art therapy school program in New York is having an upcoming exhibit entitled 9/11 Arts: A Decade Later. Continue reading »
Samantha Hogue – Featured Artist from Olympia, Washington
We are very happy to present this month’s Featured Artist, Samantha Hogue. You can read learn more about Samantha by reading her fabulous interview below as well as view some selected works of her art. Samantha has a unique style and a wonderful talent for creating portraits! Continue reading »
Art Therapy Helps Man With Severe Disability
This is truly one of the most amazing and inspiring stories we’ve ever read. The following is a testament to the power of art, the creative process, and how therapeutic creating art can be, even for the most physically challenged.
Armando “Mandi” Saltiel was born with a severe form of polymicrogyria (abnormal development of the brain before birth) that restricted his ability to communicate via eye movements. There are additional complications that can occur, including weak muscles, respiratory issues, and even difficulty breathing. His parents became afraid that “Mandi” was going to give up and withdraw even more from the rest of the world. Continue reading »
Local Artist & Teacher Helping Kids With Special Needs Through Art, Creative Process
Here’s a great story about a local artist and teacher helping children with special needs through the creation of art.
Alvin Roy, an artist and art teacher in Houston, Texas is helping children with special needs by helping and inspiring them to create. It’s also helped some of the kids develop other skills like reading, writing and even with their confidence.
Even though there is not a professional art therapist present, there is no denying the impact art has had on these kids’ live. You can hear the testimonials in the video below. Continue reading »
