Art psychotherapy: Repairing the split

Art psychotherapy offers a way of exploring and expressing areas of ourselves that are difficult to describe in words. The process creates a bridge between inner experience and the outer world leading to a greater integration of the two.

When people come to see me I encourage them to express their thoughts and feelings in pictures or models using simple art materials to make visual images of their choice in a non-threatening way of expressing strong emotions and working through personal issues.

In my presentation I will demonstrate (didactically and experientially) how art psychotherapy allows people the space to meet and learn about areas of themselves that have been unclear or misunderstood.

Case study vignettes and visual material will be used to illustrate the claim that art psychotherapy with people experiencing bereavement and despair often enables them to reconnect with their personal power in relationships, their ability to be in charge of their emotions and respond creatively to feelings of loss and emptiness.