Expressive Therapies
How We Work Together
Think of us as your personal guides in finding your inner creative muse.
We use the process of art makings and markings to explore and provide outlets for what gets trapped inside, smothered and stepped on. We want to help you tap into flexing, stretching, and growing these expressive muscles. You need no special skills to engage in this process, you have them already.
A little info about art, play, & sand tray therapy:
Art therapy is a form of counseling used in a therapeutic setting to explore life events, thoughts & feelings, and all sorts of facets and content that can emerge through the process of art expression. Our art studio houses a vast array of materials for self-expression. Purposeful art directives may also be given to help facilitate the creative process. Art therapists are trained in counseling, art therapy, and art. They have the knowledge of counseling with an added expertise achieved through additional training and supervision. Play therapists have specific training geared toward understanding the language of play and nurturing relationships with children and those beyond. Both play and art therapists are trained to utilize sand tray as a therapeutic modality within these counseling practices. Sand tray therapists also have additional specific training to enhance and further their skills to meet the needs of those seeking a wide range of support.
Art Therapy
Sand Tray Therapy
Play Therapy
Art as Therapy
Expression is paramount to generating movement in our lives. And this movement creates wondering, curiosity, self-understanding, and insight into problem solving. That’s great news! Creative expression can share a look into conflicting emotions, make visible overlooked transitions and road blocks, provide reflections into self-doubts, what if’s, and content moments. Art can enhance communication or be the sole form of communication. It can help to reduce stress, instill confidence, and provide an element of control over personal struggles.
More good stuff
Art helps noticing. It facilitates a focus and creates a zone that can enhance insight and wellbeing. The nature of expressing can be transforming and informative. Through the creative process we will look at patterns and themes, tell stories, explore reflection, and navigate contemplation.
A few things we want you to know about art therapy and the process of making art & being expressive.
Art is natural.
Art is not kids stuff it’s something kids do, because they’re awesome.
Art is communication and dialogue.
Art is self-regulation in many forms.
Art is neither right or wrong, nor good or bad in this setting, our goals are completely different.
Art gives voice to internal conflict.
Art is useful in processing life events as it is able to access a part of the brain that language and words can not reach.
Art is brave, painful, beautiful, playful, tearful, angry and everything that is part of human nature.
Sand Tray Therapy
Choosing miniatures as symbols that are meaningful and unique to your experience in the moment. Placing these miniatures in the sand as means to facilitate experience and further reflection and insight. Think of sand tray work as similar to creating a picture in the sand, except you aren’t necessarily drawing, although you can add this element if you like . Instead, You are intuitively placing the sculptural images in the sand to capture and express what’s on your mind. This narrative is helpful to process trauma, problematic and daily stress, difficult emotions and various life concerns.
A few things we want you to know about Sand Tray work:
Sand tray is a powerful tool.
Sand tray is not child’s play, it is something kids may feel comfortable doing due to the non-verbal expressive nature of the modality, while also lending to a child’s natural enthusiasm for story telling.
Sand tray therapy has sensory components that can contribute to the healing process.
Sand tray work is healing in itself, allowing a person to connect intuitively to find answers.
Sand tray can promote aha moments of self-discovery.
Play Therapy
The use of play as means to be with, communicate, educate, and heal. A variety of toys, games, and expressive means can be part of this process.
A few things we want you to know about play therapy:
Children use play as means to process their world, it’s amazing.
Play is for adults too.
The therapeutic relationship helps to facilitate the play therapy process.
Themes emerge from play.
The foundation of safety and security, and ultimately healthy attachment are built and strengthened through play.
Book a Free Consultation
This is your chance, take it! Let’s connect so we can explore all of the many possibilities available in your life. We can help navigate next steps, answer questions, and target needs. This short consultation can give you the direction you crave to begin seeing yourself as the strongest component in making life more manageable and aligned with you.
Art is standing with one hand extended into the universe and one hand extended into the world, and letting ourselves be a conduit for passing energy.
― Albert Einstein