Therapeutic Art
Therapeutic Art
Therapeutic art is an integrative aspect of the mental health profession which combines knowledge and understanding of human development and psychology with visual arts. This provides a creative process in helping clients improve mental health and wellness. Art has the potential to transform lives in profound ways; research is supporting that art improves not only our quality of life, but also is effective in reducing pain, fatigue and stress and increasing cognitive abilities and emotional well-being (Malchiodi, 2017). Art within therapy can use art media (paint, clay, pencils, markers or other art supplies) and often the verbal processing of produced imagery. This helps us move through difficult life experiences, discuss or analyze their own story, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and achieve their goals. One of the reasons why art creates such a lasting impact is through the whole brain process of incorporating both linguistic storytelling and the visual and tactile media of the art. This whole brain process can unlock meaning and insight into areas of the life, especially circumstances that were traumatic, by bringing to light the information that felt trapped or lost.
Sandtray Expressive Art
Sandtray is a specialized process within play therapy or therapeutic arts which introduces the tactile process of sand in conjunction with a selection of miniatures to represent symbolically the client’s thought process or experience. Homeyer & Sweeney (2011) define sandtray therapy as “an expressive and projective mode of psychotherapy involving the unfolding and processing of intra and interpersonal issues through the use of specific sandtray materials as a nonverbal medium of communication, led by the client(s) and facilitated by a trained therapist (p. 4).”
We often describe to artistically anxious clients that sandtray is a way to create art without having to worry about whether you’re a ‘good artist’. This often puts clients at ease and opens the door of possibility for utilizing art as a way of self-expression. Sandtray provides an opportunity for putting emotions into images which can support the process of telling a story or unpacking complex life events in a way that can be seen and understood. Sandtray is utilized by adults, adolescents and children within the therapy process. There is no age limit for this modality and most clients comment on how impactful the experience was on creating clarity, gaining understanding or supporting the processing of the past, present or future experience(s).
Firefly Institute
Phone: 503-560-5822
Fax: 888-503-2864
Locations:
Hillsboro: 4950 NE Belknap Ct. Ste 205
Hillsboro, OR 97124
Forest Grove: 3307 19th Ave, Forest Grove, OR 97116
