Sessions
"Peas In A Pod" by Elizabeth M. Doherty, ©2006
Whether art therapy is conducted in an individual meeting, a group session or a workshop, therapist and client(s) “honor the time” by promptly beginning and closing each session at pre-arranged times, usually anywhere from 1- 1 ½ hours in duration. Sessions often begin with the therapist first checking-in with the client(s) to assess their current emotional state. The therapist then provides an introduction to an art task that targets specific goals that have been previously established by the client and therapist. Participants are then invited to engage with thoughtfully chosen art materials.
A significant portion of the client’s session time is spent making art. The art materials provided are also based on the goals of that particular session and may include, but are not limited to: watercolor or acrylic paint; pastels and other drawing supplies; sculpture materials (clay, wire, “found” materials); collage materials (word, image, and decorative paper); and boxes. Although Elizabeth is not a music therapist, her sessions also usually incorporate the playing of recorded music that has been carefully selected to enhance the therapeutic atmosphere while clients are making art.
Art therapists are well-trained in recognizing the potential meanings in a client’s artwork through symbols, metaphors and meta-messages. After careful observation of the client’s behaviors, any spoken words while making art, and the final product, the art therapist can then begin to help process the artwork by exploring any possible meanings that the image may hold for the client. Near the end of each session, time may also be set aside for a brief art exercise designed to help provide the client with a sense of containment for any powerful emotional material that may have come up during the session.
Contact Elizabeth: [email protected]
A significant portion of the client’s session time is spent making art. The art materials provided are also based on the goals of that particular session and may include, but are not limited to: watercolor or acrylic paint; pastels and other drawing supplies; sculpture materials (clay, wire, “found” materials); collage materials (word, image, and decorative paper); and boxes. Although Elizabeth is not a music therapist, her sessions also usually incorporate the playing of recorded music that has been carefully selected to enhance the therapeutic atmosphere while clients are making art.
Art therapists are well-trained in recognizing the potential meanings in a client’s artwork through symbols, metaphors and meta-messages. After careful observation of the client’s behaviors, any spoken words while making art, and the final product, the art therapist can then begin to help process the artwork by exploring any possible meanings that the image may hold for the client. Near the end of each session, time may also be set aside for a brief art exercise designed to help provide the client with a sense of containment for any powerful emotional material that may have come up during the session.
Contact Elizabeth: [email protected]
