Unlock your creative potential!
Art-making is a tool for “thinking differently” and understanding yourself more deeply.
The power of art for personal transformation has been recognized throughout history. Art-making serves as a gateway to our inner worlds by allowing us to express senses, intuitions, memories and feelings that are not accessible through words.
Art is the language of our unconscious.
Through the process of creating art, you have the opportunity to solve problems, assuage pain and confront difficult losses or disappointments.
Everyone has a creative spirit, even those who do not consider themselves artistic. Together, we will harness this spirit to reconnect with yourself, promote improved well-being and set goals for the future.
You don’t need to be an artist to benefit from expressive arts.
Some people are intimidated by visual art and the pressure to create something to hang on the wall to admire. Don’t worry – expressive arts therapy is about the creative process, not the artistic product.
Art can be a refuge from the intense emotions associated with illness; the health benefits are well-evidenced. 5
- Art improves well-being and decreases negative emotions.
- Art relieves stress and reduces anxiety and depression.
- Molding clay helps people express difficult feelings through touch.
- Art and music reduce hospital stays and decrease the need for pain medication.
- Dancing improves the functions of the brain, reverses signs of aging and relieves stress.
- Movement improves memory, learning and balance.
- Expressive writing offers physical health benefits, including fewer visits to the doctor and better immune system functioning.
- Writing about upsetting experiences leads to long-term improvement in mood and health.
These effects have been shown to produce benefits across varying cultures.
Knowing yourself is the first step towards making positive change.
The expressive arts can facilitate a deeper understanding of ourselves, our beliefs and our barriers. Once we understand our beliefs and their origins, we can allow them to evolve and change, if they no longer serve us. In effect, art is a tool through which we develop new ways to view problems, to learn how to see more options and to create new solutions.
Art takes many forms.
Expressive arts may include visual art, movement, music, poetry, journaling or transformational sandplay.
Sometimes the expressive arts can be as simple as selecting images from a shoebox of photos to communicate your story.
Art is not necessarily a part of every session. I may introduce different types of art-making as appropriate to your needs and your current challenges. No art experience is necessary; art supplies will be provided.
If you are ready to experience the healing and transformative power of art, please contact me for a consultation.
“Enduring life with chronic pain was the best I could do for many years. Lindsay’s compassion and unique approach enabled me to better understand and cope with the pain experience. The results changed my daily life.”
Striving Together session