What is art therapy?

Words can fail us, particularly when sorting through emotional experiences. You may have had an experience where continually returning to language doesn't feel liberating — language can keep us locked in logic and definitions as the instrument to free us from difficulties that escape reason and categorization. At times like this, talking can ensnare us in our trauma, or reinforce difficult feelings.  

We are born with natural resources to cope with even life-threatening dynamics. We now know that the brain has an almost magical capacity for "neuroplasticity", which is the discovery of totally new neural-pathways in circumstances where the "old path" is no longer helpful, or working for us.   

One evidence-based way to access this capacity is to practice creativity, particularly in-relationship with a trained art therapist. An art therapist can help you tap your innate capacity by co-creating a specific and intentional expressive art directive for you, and providing a safe and daring space for you to discover new meaning and emancipation from ways you are blocked or restricted by your old neural-paths.  

Just like talk-therapy this is not an instant miracle, yet there is much evidence to show that when we can locate and engage in this creative, playful mindset, our ability to discover and change increases and accelerates.