Frequently Ask Questions
1/ Can I do art therapy, even if I am not an artistic, good nor creative person?
Certainly! Having visual art skills is by no means a prerequisite. It is not about making something that is aesthetically beautiful, but rather about using lines, colours and/or shapes as a tool for expression. The creative process and the image created will stimulate reflections, awaken realizations, activate new associations and bring about unexplored avenues of discussion, depending on what you share in session.
It is important to remember that this is not an art class, if you can hold a pencil, that is enough.
2/ Will I be creating in every session? If I don't feel like it, do I have to make art work?
My preferred approach as an art therapist is freedom of expression, in whatever way you want to express yourself according to your needs when you arrive at the session. There is no artistic material that draws your attention to make a creative process, you are free to write, to observe an image from a magazine or even just to express yourself verbally if that is what you feel you want to do at the present moment.
3/ How can doing art making help me with my problem?
In fact, verbal therapy techniques are used in conjunction with art making to bring the person to realizations. The images created are considered an extension of the self and reflect the inner world of the person in the same way as a mirror. In this sense, they can represent messages from the unconscious, repressed emotions as well as coping and/or defence mechanisms. With the guidance of the art therapist, you will be able to examine what is in your blind spot regarding your problem and "see" what needs to be addressed in therapy.
4/ Can adults do art therapy?
Yes, of course! Notably, several studies have demonstrated its effectiveness in alleviating symptoms of psychological, emotional and/or physical suffering. The visual concretization of the problem is what is unique about art therapy, as you can externalize what you have difficulty verbalizing. The image produced during the session allows you to take a step back on your experience while giving a much less confronting view so that you can make realizations that would not have been considered before.
5/ Can my insurance cover these consultations?
Available upon request, receipts for naturopathic counselling can be given. Please inquire if your insurance company covers these services.
Video
If you are curious to see how an art therapy process works, here is a short video that shows what you can expect. Enjoy!
