Art Therapy

[Zedebee]

I've been offered the chance to see an art therapist to do art therapy for a few months. I have a vague idea of what is from researching it but not completely sure.

Does anybody have any experiences of it? Was it helpful? Could you maybe tell me a bit more about what actually takes place?

Thanks for any replies...

[Stellata]

I often use my art in my therapy, which is slightly different from art therapy.

I personally find it very, um, therapeutic! .... And it helps at those times when one doesn't yet have words for an emotion or experience.

[Zedebee]

Thank you both =)

Holly that was really helpful, thanks. I'm phoning the guy back tomorrow and will probably ask him some questions too but I'm thinking I might as well try it if it's on offer =)

[star runner]

i have found it so useful - so much more gentle than full on, face-to-face counselling. You have the choice of expressing yourself either verbally or from a selection of art materials. without meaning to, your work (or words) often express deeper meanings which can then be explored. i think art therapy is fairly hard to come by (on the nhs) so i would recommend trying it and just seeing if it's right for you. good luck

[xXMessedUpXx]

If i had the chance to do it, i'd take it. I took art as an extra in college for the theraputic benefit

[The Hierophant]

It's awesome, honestly.
You don't have to have any talent, so many times I've just scribbled.
Best thing ever.

its really good i love mine she's on holiday for the next week now and i miss havign it im actually going really low because of not having it.
It is a very good oppurtunity and you will rarely get it again!
personally i would jump at the chance if they offered me it, as it is very helpful realy
x :) x
Stevie

[bleeding black]

I would definitely give it a shot.

I do a weekly art therapy group, which is really helpful.
You don't need to be a talented artist at all, it's much less about the aesthetic and much more about the therapeutic process, what it's like to draw, what the drawing means to you, conveying thought/feelings etc through art rather than words.
It's a great way to communicate things that are bigger than words, or that you just can't find the right words for.
Each art therapist is going to have a different approach, like with talk therapy, but the basic principle is the same. I find it really helpful.

Let us know how the conversation with the guy goes, and what you decide :)

[Cryptic.]

I had art therapy.
For me, I painted pictures whilst me & my psychologist talked.
It was very therapeutic & relaxing & I felt more comfortable.

[Siouxsie]

When I was IP I had art therapy once a week in a group setting. I found it a bit difficult sometimes because I'm a perfectionist && I'd often get pissed off with myself if what I did went "wrong," but the art therapist was lovely and reassured me it wasn't about whether the art was "good" or not.

Overall it was a really helpful and positive thing for me.

[Katiee]

I'd love to do that (:

[Zedebee]

Thank you guys so much for your replies, they've really helped me make my decision =)

I didn't get to speak to the guy; it went to an answer machine and I panicked (not really sure why...) so I'm going to try again tomorrow and leave a message.

[sajhfuahuefghaeg]

I did art therapy and it was completely pointless for me. I literally sat and painted and after 6 weeks of it she said "cool, you seem fine, bye".

But it might be different for you, I hope it is. I hope it goes okay :] x