Art Therapy

[FearofUnknown]

Hello Everyone!

I start Art Therapy in just over a fortnight's time and would like to know if anyone has experience with it before? This will be my first time and I'm not sure if I should be diving into topics about trauma, my past, etc or should I keep it more broad and just focus on my emotions whether it's through talking and/or art making? 

Do you have ideas of things I could possibly draw? My favourite medium is Oil Pastels and I am hoping I can start off with that. So far, I brainstormed drawing a pair of hands, a television, a volcano, a bottle of alcohol and a stack of money. I will be having sessions every fortnight. I'm hoping I can stay for 10 sessions.

Side note: I have Depression and Schizophrenia. Or is it Schizophrenia and Depression?

Thank you for any input. I'm very excited to start!

[Bow]

I’ve never done it but would be super keen if your felt ok with sharing what you do each time @FearofUnknown 

[Honeymoon]

Hi @FearofUnknown 

Love that you've got art therapy coming up - what a beautiful outlet🎨

A few ideas that came to mind:
🌳A tree through different seasons
🌊A safe place - real or imagined

🐘Your fave animals 

Thanks for sharing! 
~ @Honeymoon 

[EternalFlower]

@FearofUnknown u could do a visual diary lile take a word which has positive emotions and journal what it evokes

I did "tea"

U can also try drawing with ur non dominanat hand

Or u could look up neurographic art for some inspo.

[DogMan79]

I sort of incorporate Internal Family Systems therapy. Just letting Parts guide individual layers, then dry it and let another Part do a layer

I do an art therapy group on Fridays. And people do all sorts of stuff. The instructor just sets a warm-up exercise for a few minutes. The rest of the 2 hours is free-range through materials cupboards

[Taali]

Hi arty folk, I'm afraid my natural fear of failure holds me back a little here.

I did attend a few of the art workshops during my last couple of psychiatric hospital admission. 

I found that I could find some ways to express myself somewhat freely but came to a screaming halt when asked to explain how I felt 

I really enjoyed having a scribble but hated the questioning. 

As well as my tendency to achieve 

Yes always looking for, no I should say craving approval 

My neice and bro - in -law have very different experiences as they are pleased to just be...

Hope that makes some sense. Maybe when I try again it will be different. 

Looking forward to seeing you all do.

@DogMan79 @EternalFlower @FearofUnknown @Honeymoon @Bow 

[FearofUnknown]

 

I made some Neurographic Art using my non-diminant hand. The theme is 'About Me' and each segment represents a fact about me. The colours are symbolic of my feelings about each fact.

Thanks so much @EternalFlower for the suggestions! I really like this one and will try to do it again when I'm in session.

[Free2025]

I think it can be whatever you want it to be. I haven't been involved in any formal Art Therapy but began drawing and painting at home at different times when I needed to process emotions, memories or things from my psychology sessions.

Trees are great because you can represent different seasons in your journey. I have painted self- portraits, abstract representations, emotional states, safe spaces... each artwork has helped me to tell a story or bring some sense to scattered thoughts and feelings.

What I love about art therapy is that it isn't about talent, it's about you expressing and processing in a different way.

I hope you enjoy the experience.

[EternalFlower]

incredible!!!! @FearofUnknown 

[FearofUnknown]

I made another one today. It's called 'The Pregnant Woman'. I'm quite inspired by Neurographic Art.