Maybe we should develop a Crayola bomb as our next secret weapon. A happiness weapon. A beauty bomb. And every time a crisis developed, we would launch one. It would explode high in the air - explode softly - and send thousands, millions, of little parachutes into the air.Floating down to earth - boxes of Crayolas. And we wouldn't go cheap, either - not little boxes of eight. Boxes of sixty-four, with the sharpener built right in. With silver and gold and copper, magenta and peach and lime, amber and umber and all the rest. And people would smile and get a little funny look on their faces and cover the world with imagination.

~Robert Fulghum

• Art can make the invisible, visible through external expression. The invisible can include painful emotions and experiences
• Experiences in art creation validate our connection to the whole of life, which increases self-esteem, self-validation, and self-awareness.
• Encourages self-control through working with art materials.
• Metaphorical language and story can emerge through the art, giving voice to that which is often difficult to express.
• Emergent and re-occurring symbols bridge our conscious and unconscious awareness.
• Discovery of one’s strengths and authenticity.
• Learning the skill of self-observation through one’s art creations.
• Art making engages the whole brain and can stimulate integration of cognitive, feeling and sensory processes.
• Art and emotions are closely linked and therefore art-making can help to positively alter one's mood.
• Energy and vitality can be increased by a visible expression of suppressed thoughts and memories.
• Provides an experience of relaxation, reducing stress, anxiety and worry.
• Art therapy offers a hands-on, active, fun, and productive form of therapy.

As with most helping professions, Art Therapy is not a quick fix. It is often a challenging journey where your therapist is with you and your creations inspire you.

Be sure to check that your Art Psychotherapist is registered