What do we do in an Art Therapy Session?
Focussing (Focussing oriented Art Therapy/Body focussing/Felt Sense)
Focussing is a very useful tool to connect. When someone is overwhelmed by emotion, or highly analytical and unable to flow, it can be helpful to use this technique to connect with inner knowing and creativity.
MIECAT Form of Inquiry
The MIECAT Form of Inquiry begins with bringing attention and awareness to experiencing. This is then followed by expressions of experience completed in any art-form and sometimes verbally. More information about the MIECAT approach can be found here.
Person Centred Approach
My approach is influenced by the person centred approach developed by psychologist Dr. Carl Rogers who believed that the relationship with a person has therapeutic value, and a therapist who was deeply understanding (empathic), accepting (having unconditional positive regard) and genuine (congruent) was the basis of a therapeutic relationship.
Transpersonal Approach
Transpersonal Art Therapy uses a psycho-spiritual approach to counselling, recognises a spectrum of consciousness, including altered states, dreams, intuition and a collective consciousness, and accesses creativity to work through problems and issues. Transpersonal Art Therapy encourages self awareness which leads to authenticity and personal empowerment, is client centred and based on the Shamanic Model, encourages holistic healing by considering mind, body, spirit and environment.
Vision Boards
This involves using imagery to create and put energy into what you want to create for your present and future. This can help an individual to manifest what they want by focussing on these things, based on the idea you attract what you focus on.
Gestalt informed techniques
Working with the aspects of self in the present moment.
Gestalt techniques can assist in creating awareness around the aspects of self, discovering the needs and reasons for them being present.
Ritual
Ritual is a very powerful way to allow for one to move through and honour an experience or transition. This can aid in releasing old patterns or emotions, honouring parts of self and re-enacting a psychological death in order to move into new opportunities.
Other techniques include:
- Creative Journaling
- Sculpture
- Dialoguing with other (art or an aspect of self)
- The Ulman Technique
- Movement/ Body Wisdom
- Music/ Sound healing
- Active Imagination
- Play therapy
- Spirit dolls
- Clay Work
- Divination
- Sandplay Therapy
- Mandalas
- Guided Visualisation