Art Therapy Workshop: Connecting to our Bodies Through Art

What is art therapy and preparing for the workshop

Art therapy can support persons in exploring and expressing their inner worlds. Imagery, colours, shapes, textures, sounds...etc. are all part of the creative therapeutic process allowing us to be with thoughts and feelings that can be difficult to find words for. Art making is a practice that promotes the mind-body connection and nervous system regulation. Art therapy also supports expression and listening to self.

• Art therapy is not about creating a perfect image.
• No previous art making skills are required, just a sense of curiosity.
• Art therapists do not interpret your work.
• Art therapy is not just for 'artists' or 'creative types'.
• We are all born with a sense of play and curiosity.
• Art therapy is not just for children. It is for everyone and anyone.
• It is about the process. It is about exploration.

You don't need to have any experience with art or art materials to participate in this group. Our focus is on exploring the different art materials and what we notice and feel during the process. The focus is not on technical skill, but is instead curiosity, play and expression.

Here are some suggestions for materials to get started:

Basics

-Basic paper: (This could be any of the following) blank computer paper, an art notebook, watercolour or multimedia paper. You might want bigger multimedia paper  (18″ x 24), but it is not necessary.

-A pencil, pen or marker(s)

-Some type of crayons: wax crayons, oil pastels or chalk pastels.

-Some kind of paint: watercolour, tempura or acrylic

-A few paintbrushes of different sizes

-Something to mix your paint on, this could be a palette or just a yogurt container lid!

-Scissors

-Some kind of glue (glue stick, white, or tape

Extras

-old magazines or books for collage

-string, fabric or yarn

-glue gun

-air dry clay

different colours and weights of paper

-different natural materials like sticks or rocks or feathers

-anything your heart desires!

This group is designed to be flexible. You could do the whole group with just paper and wax crayons if necessary. Please don't feel like you need to have all of these things to get started or that you need to stick to these things. You can get creative, you can think outside the box. Look around your home or your neighborhood and gather what inspires you.

If you want to order some art supplies or to click and collect you can check out:

Desseres https://www.deserres.ca or even Walmart.ca or your local Dollar Store

Setting Up Your Space & Getting Ready

Try your best to give yourself 10-15 minutes prior to the start of the session to make sure everything is set up.

• Find a quiet place where you can talk freely and won't be overheard. If you remain indoors and there are other people in nearby rooms, let them know you won't be available during that time period and should not be interrupted.
• If possible, designate one area as the place you will sit for all your art therapy sessions.
• Try and find a place that is comfortable and where you can sit at a table or on the floor with room for your art making. Or perhaps you sit on your couch or bed, but you have a portable lap table. Whatever works for you!
• Make a ritual out of entering this area and creating a comfortable place for your session.
• Collect everything you will need and have it nearby: a glass of water, a cup of tea or coffee.
• Place your art materials within reach of yourself in an organized way. Perhaps you also have tissues, blankets, pillows or sensory objects that help you to ground.
• Attend to your physical needs before the session begins. Perhaps you stretch, use the washroom or do some breathing exercises before starting.

About Katrina (Art Therapist)

Katrina Grabner is a registered clinical counsellor and an art therapist living in Vancouver, BC. For a decade she lived with a rare chronic vaginal medical condition. She is also a visual artist and a dedicated craftster experimenting with many different mediums. She believes deeply in the power of creative expression and the deep reserves of resilience embedded within us all. When not working you can find her snuggling with her cat or going for a walk on the beach. 

“The imagination is fundamental to all human activity; indeed, exercising imagination is the creative and critical, intuitive and integrative process central to human becoming.”-Christine Valters Paintner