Why do I feel this way?
Does anything really matter?
Can I find peace, or is this guilt, anger, loneliness and depression all that there is?
Tough questions, questions few of us have the tools to answer. And often those who love you or care the most can’t offer the guidance you need for the hard journey we all face- the journey to becoming mature, fully realized human-beings.
Is there a path for this journey?
Is there a path that provides the tools and the skills you need to become who you are meant to be?
A path that develops abilities and self-knowledge you want that leads to mastery?
Art therapy is a bright light for all those aspects hidden in the shadow of your inner self.
Art therapy identifies feelings and emotions. Repressed feelings, and emotionally charged feelings, feelings that become the barrier separating you from the grace and contentment of an authentic life.
Art is an expression of the unconscious and metaphor is the language spoken by that powerful, hidden part of you. With art therapy, the images you create give voice to the unconscious and allow it to speak to you with power, with clarity in a way any language never will.
Art therapy translates what your unconscious is saying and gives you the answers you need to heal and grow. Your art metaphors, your body language and your personal associations lay bare the stumbling blocks of repressed fear and pain you have hidden away.
The process of art therapy works with children, adolescents and adults. It works with individuals, couples, families and small groups too. It helps them all to break down psychological barriers and nurture the spirit of the individual and their community.
THE BEST PART? NO ARTISTIC SKILLS ARE NEEDED
Since you express and resolve problems while you create your art, it is your willingness to engage in the process that will teach you more about yourself and experience the emotional and spiritual growth that comes with resolving your fears and anger.
ART THERAPY FOR CHILDREN
Happy and fun, art therapy is a way for children to dealing with intense issues difficult to express verbally. Children are less articulate and rarely afraid to express themselves verbally, so the metaphorical language of art is actually a direct, powerful means to handle the emotions of fun , anxiety, horror, loss, sadness, anger and isolation.
ART THERAPY FOR TEENAGER
Adolescents is an exciting, though turbulent time for kids. While making art provides a safe environment to express emotions, the creative process itself can be calming and healing. Studies have shown that simply coloring a pre-designed mandala image will lower blood pressure, pulse rate, and respiration.
Depression
Art therapy for adolescents is an active, experiential therapy that challenges depressive symptoms and ideas. Increased self-awareness helps you manage your feelings as you rebuild your self-worth and confidence.
ART THERAPY FOR ADULTS
Even as adults, it is difficult, if not impossible to address our issues and verbalize the fear, anger, shame and pain that have so much power to effect the way we feel and act.
Anger or despair over feeling helpless to these feelings can fuel a variety of destructive behaviors that can make life miserable.
Art therapy is a effective way to deal with intense issues that are difficult to express verbally. Unlike talk therapy, making art can be surprisingly, liberatingly direct and has an end product. This powerful means of communication will allow you to address sadness, anger, horror, grief and loss head-on in a productive, life-changing way.
Self-awareness
Art therapy connects you to your unconscious in a way you have never experienced. Even average, healthy adults can explore their personal qualities and work to develop their full potential.
As understanding develops with maturity, creating art provides ways to reveal, explore and resolve life issues. Adults can use drawing and painting to understand their inner dialogue and communicate with themselves and others in ways that cultivate both spirit and intellect.
Stress and Anxiety
Visually expressing your stress, pain or grief provides the relief of clarity and closure.
ART THERAPY FOR SENIORS
Never underestimate the power of creativity. As we grow out of childhood and become adults, going out into the wide world to do serious things like earning a living and paying the bills, it’s easy to lose that connection with the things we loved as children. Painting they seem to fall off the agenda so easily. Whether this is good and healthy is another matter.
Art therapy held as part of the holistic lifestyle program. Increasing happiness and wellbeing, while reducing anxiety.
Cognitive function often improves, as does the ability of seniors to recall past experiences, reminisce and tell stories. There are thousands of anecdotes from around the world about how art therapy has helped seniors with dementia. Patients with the condition who once said and did very little can suddenly become unlocked, creating beautiful collages and paintings representing their experiences.
Some people give up creating because of the disease. However, when they start painting again, with practice, they can regain the ability to perform delicate brush strokes and paint striking images. In other cases, art therapy sessions have led to the renewal of other hobbies as well, such as cooking. Those who’ve taken art therapy – whether they have dementia or not – will often tell you that their art inspires them and gives new meaning to their lives.
Many people go for years without nurturing their creative side. Others remain creative but give up in old age. Everybody is creative, no matter their skills, age or background. Picking up a paintbrush, making something with your hands, dancing, playing an instrument or singing often brings back memories but it can also uncover hidden talents. These activities for seniors are just some of the ways in which KJS Brush n Canvas support the physical, emotional and mental wellbeing of their life.