About Expressive Arts
Art Heals
While most psychotherapy begins with talking and words, the process can soon enter an inner realm of complexity which may include words, but also imagery, metaphor, memory, symbolism, body sensations and deep emotion. At this point, talking alone is often not enough to define or contain the entire experience. Words can even become obstructive to a process which has its source in early memories, unconscious or preconscious information.
In the same way that dreaming gives expression to our inner life, the expressive arts—art created without focus on the product—offer us direct access to the roots of our struggles. Drawing, painting, sandtray, movement, dramatic enactments are examples of expressive arts modalities which can illuminate our dilemmas and provide access to deep inner wisdom.
In my expressive arts work with clients, I seek an edge, a point of optimal challenge which contains enough comfort to stay with the process and its emerging imagery, and yet also pushes onward into new, unknown or possibly difficult material. This way of working requires profound alertness and attunement on my part, and trust and courage from the client; we often enter a state of deep collaboration, intimacy, and co-creation.
In the same way that dreaming gives expression to our inner life, the expressive arts—art created without focus on the product—offer us direct access to the roots of our struggles. Drawing, painting, sandtray, movement, dramatic enactments are examples of expressive arts modalities which can illuminate our dilemmas and provide access to deep inner wisdom.
In my expressive arts work with clients, I seek an edge, a point of optimal challenge which contains enough comfort to stay with the process and its emerging imagery, and yet also pushes onward into new, unknown or possibly difficult material. This way of working requires profound alertness and attunement on my part, and trust and courage from the client; we often enter a state of deep collaboration, intimacy, and co-creation.