What is Art Therapy?
Art Therapy is a form of treatment using simple art materials. It combines the creative process and psychotherapy, facilitating self-exploration and understanding. Using imagery, colour and shape as part of this creative therapeutic process, thoughts and feelings can be expressed that would otherwise be difficult to articulate.
Art therapy is effective for people of any age. An art therapist works with individuals, couples, families or groups. I trained at Vancouver Art Therapy Institute in Canada. I have over 20 years experience and varied training in a range of modalities including Psychodrama, Interactional Drawing Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Transactional Analysis. I am currently in training in Yoga Therapy with the Svastha Yoga Therapy Training in Auckland. I have specialised in working with those struggling with Eating Disorders, Drug & Alcohol Issues, and survivors of Sexual Abuse. I currently work with those dealing trauma and families and people struggling with Depression and Anxiety.
If you have any questions about Art Therapy or my work or would like to book in to see me, please feel free to email.
You can also read more about what I do here:
Janie's Art Therapy blog archive
Natures study
Artichokes are the most glorious of shapes. An excellent drawing challenge. The shades of green we explored in soft pastel. This made it easier to shade and create the tones needed for the study.
Yoga Therapy
I have started my Yoga Therapy training over the past year and I am so inspired on how the yogic principles overlay those of the Therapy world, and really just life in general. I am most thankful to our teacher Dr Mohan teaches so simply and kindly. Below is a quote from the Svasta Yoga site. " All limbs of Yoga are oriented towards bringing about a calm, clear, light, balanced mode of mind – a state called sattva in Sanskrit. In order to make positive changes in the mind, we must first modify behavior patterns relating to our minds, senses,...
Think happy, be happy
In our group this week the girls chose quotes that meant something to them. We used a book, "Think happy, be happy" as a reference. This was used as an inspiration or as a way of refocusing negative self-talk. At times it is helpful to have a visual when we are reprogramming thoughts. This artist chose "keep calm and carry bubble gum" as her catchy phrase.
Heart layer by layer
In an Art Therapy a group of young people, a social worker and I explored the notion of layers of the heart in our group. We used the book, "In my heart", as our inspiration. To start with we cut the paper to size and to symbolise the layers with our hearts. We all know how our feelings coexist like an onion in our hearts. Once the paper was cut we placed the layers within a box. The box was lined with soft material which project the heart. . Each artist was asked to work on the...
Art flies us home
