Frequently Asked Questions About Art Therapy

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1. Do I need to be an artist (or have any artistic skills)? 

No. If you can draw a stick figure, gather and arrange a few objects on a table or scribble on a paper you can take part in and benefit from art therapy! Art therapy is about active exploration and it requires no skill, training, or special talents.  We will happily work with you to find the art materials and styles that best match your needs. Then, we will help you express and explore your experiences through the arts. 

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2. What are visual arts? 

Visual arts include traditional art forms like drawing, painting, and sculpting as well as less traditional art forms like photography, collage, gathering and arranging objects, using recyclable and natural materials. The arts are a way to help express and explore and the art created does not need to be museum quality.  Instead, it is about learning to connect to your body sensations, emotions, thoughts, and experiences through active engagement with the creative process. 

 

3. What do you mean by "arts"? What modalities do you use? 

Expressive arts therapists are trained to help their clients use visual art, movement, music, drama, and writing to address therapeutic goals.  You do not need to be an artist, dancer, musician, or actor to participate.  Instead, we will guide and work alongside you to have meaningful experiences using these modalities in a simple and accessible manner.   

 

4. What if I'm not creative enough for art therapy? 

No worries! We will work together to find what inspires you and to determine how you can interact with the world in a way that works with who you are.  Some folks like to draw or take photographs, some write or move their bodies while others find that cooking and gardening provide pathways to expression and healing.    

 

5. Is art therapy just for children? 

No. Of course, children can certainly benefit from art therapy. There is a large body of research supporting the use of the arts with adults. Including, adults dealing with a wide range of things that might bring them into therapy.

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6. Are you sure art therapy is real? This sounds like mumbo jumbo...

The arts have always been used to help people heal and connect. Consider cave paintings and petroglyphs, ritual masks and dances, folk songs, and traditions. Of course, we can't help but be reminded of the role the arts play in our lives. Art therapy grew out of this healing tradition.  It uses a combination of arts and psychology. A combo that works and is well-researched and grounded in theory.  Golden Vibes' art therapists use art therapy called the Expressive Therapies Continuum. The theory weaves together neuroscience, information processing, art-making, and human experience. As art therapy is active, we encourage you to give it a try to see what happens for you!

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