Child and Adolescent
Psychotherapy
Child and Adolescent
Psychotherapy
Art Therapy
Depending on your preferences and needs art therapy can be incorporated into verbal treatment with patients of all ages. It can be helpful when it appears to aide in someone expressing themselves or help patients who have struggled with more traditional treatments.
About
Many people who come to therapy find that communicating verbally is overwhelming, confusing, or at times may seem impossible. Art Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses the power of artistic materials to manage stress and delve deeply into the meaning behind thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Art therapy can help regulate us during periods of stress by engaging the prefrontal cortex and encouraging other forms of communication when words are too confrontational or inaccessible.
How We Work & Treatment
Art-making within the context of therapy provides a tangible outlet for exploring overwhelming emotions, which helps us understand them more. Art acts as a bridge between thoughts and emotions, making feelings more digestible and thoughts more accessible. Through art therapy, individuals can transition from using their survival brain to engaging their learning brain in everyday life, breaking free from the lingering impacts of past experiences. It is effective because of the process of making art, not the product, and the introduction of playing with materials and creating artwork can become a pathway for emotional expression. Art therapy is universally applicable and can be for anyone, even without previous experience or art-making skills.
Art Therapy and Trauma
Over 30 years of research has shown that art therapy benefits brain health and healing, especially with trauma. Trauma, whether held consciously or unconsciously in the body, can greatly affect one's life. Traumatic memory, often non-linear, affects the amygdala, triggering disproportionate reactions to stimuli. This constant alertness can lead to stress-related issues like brain fog and emotional dysregulation. Art-making helps regulate stress responses and promotes critical thinking by strengthening the prefrontal cortex, which manages emotions and behavioral regulation.
Ready to Begin?
Contact us to book an appointment.