Foundations of Arts Therapy
First we will explore what Expressive Arts Therapy is and then the specifics of our approach and what's important
Activity: Dialoguing with materials
Observing your process and the inner dialogue that occurs between you and the art material
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Each media you use in art making has its own specific qualities and therapeutic benefits. Every client will also have their own preferences and reactions to the materials depending on their sensory profiles. It is a subjective experience for each person, but there are some materials that help to sooth through flow, or help to express through line and pressure. Some are easily controllable, others are not. It is essential to understanding the qualities and potentials for each material. They play a MASSIVE role in therapy.
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Create an abstract picture from each media (colours/lines/shapes), and then follow it with a figurative drawing (drawing something in its true form). Be sure to experiment.. blend, mix, try a gradient of colour, outline in black and colour in.
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As you are creating, notice the inner conversation that happens. Do you like it/not like it? What is the feeling as you use it?
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After you have completed the image, jot down words or phrases in your journal that describe its qualities:
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Think about your senses (how does it touch, smell, sound, look?)
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What do you like/don't like?
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What does it remind you of?
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How did it feel using it?
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What is challenging about using it?
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What does the material want to do?
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Oil Pastels
Chalk Pastels
Pencil
Lead pencil
Texter
Charcoal (hard compressed and soft willow)
Watercolour paint
Acrylic paint
Pouring paint
Gouache
Collage
Clay