Online Art Therapy
Counseling for Teens and Adults in Florida & Virginia
You want change and support from therapy, but talking doesn’t always feel like enough.
You’ve tried talking to a life coach, traditional therapy or sharing with your friends and family. Maybe you’ve tried a lot of coping strategies that aren’t helping anymore.
Art Therapy is for everyone. Whether you’re creatively inclined, haven’t made art in a long time or want to try it for the first time. Art Therapy provides space for the integration of art in the therapy process to support your success and work towards your goals for change.
What’s art therapy?
Art Therapy is an evidence-based therapeutic approach that utilizes art making to support personal growth and exploration in counseling. Art Therapy is provided by a Registered Art Therapist (ATR) or someone who has been trained at a Masters level and has completed an art therapy residency.
Art Therapy is a creative modality that encourages self-expression to enhance or at times replace talk therapy. Art Therapy may be focused simply on the process or the creation of art. At other times it may be focused on the product or the final outcome of an artistic process. Creation of art is facilitated by an Art Therapist in session and will also provide you with tools to use in managing emotions, thoughts and behaviors in day-to-day life.
I frequently hear apprehension from clients that surround artistic expression, such as “But I’m not an artist”, “I don’t know how” or “I’m not good at art”.
Art Therapy is not about knowing how, “being good” or a talented artist. What Art Therapy is about- providing you an opportunity to focus on your goals and personal growth in a safe and supportive therapeutic environment with a visual form of self-expression.
The artistic creative process supports decreased anxiety and a focus on relaxation and relief. By utilizing Art Therapy in our work together I can help you meet your goals with verbal and nonverbal creative strategies. You’ll have the opportunity to learn about and express yourself in new ways, which will be part of your steps towards change and enjoying day-to-day life again.
What to Expect in an Art Therapy Session
Before starting with Art Therapy sessions we will discuss the types of art supplies that you’ll need to have on hand during our sessions.
We’ll also address how you can set up your space for sessions.
Our sessions may begin with an art making prompt, such as creating a 2-minute drawing that represents your week or we’ll talk about what’s most important for you to address in our time for that session (and if that should include art or not).
I will provide you with specific prompts and instructions for art creation that is based on your treatment goals or priorities to accomplish in therapy.
You will have time to create art. While you’re creating we can continue to talk, listen to music or have space for silence and concentration-it is up to you and what you’re most comfortable with.
As the session ends we will talk about your art process and any themes, feelings, thoughts that came up for you while creating and what next steps may be.
This may often include how to continue your creative process between sessions, just as you would practice coping tools with talk therapy.
Benefits of Art Therapy
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Enjoy a safe and nonjudgmental space to play and create.
Identify what art supplies and processes work best for you.
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Improve your comfort and ability to express yourself.
Increase your ability to feel relaxed, calm and self-soothe.
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Reduce feelings of anxiety, overwhelm and stress.
Increase positive self-talk and thoughts.
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Prioritize the benefits of creativity in your life.
Reconnect with yourself and the change you seek.
Therapy can be more than just talking. Art can speak for itself.
Frequently asked questions about online art therapy
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The first time we meet will be a verbal based intake session. If you’re interested in Art Therapy we will discuss when and how we’ll use this approach in our work together and how this aligns with your goals. I will provide you with art supply options, including the what and where to buy supplies. If you have a pencil or pen and paper at home that is enough to get started!
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All of our sessions are 50 minutes. When engaging in an Art Therapy session, this will include time for discussion before and after art creation.
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If you try Art Therapy in our work together and decide that it’s not for you or that you want to focus on art creation outside of our sessions together, that is perfectly alright. Your session time is your own and I am here to support you in the change you seek, whether that involves art or is talk based only. I will always seek your feedback to make sure that you’re getting what you need from our time together.