Art Therapy & CB Coaching as a Pathway to Mental and Spiritual Well-Being 

 

The first thing I say to clients: 

Don’t worry you don't need to be an artist or “creative” to be able to enjoy the benefits of art therapy. The sessions aim to process and meet your emotions on paper and not to make art. The end product is irrelevant, what we want to achieve is a mental/emotional and physical expression on the paper.

It's not about art making it's about self-expression.

 

What is Art therapy?

Art therapy is a therapy form using disciplines of art and psychotherapy. It is an effective method for expressing repressed emotions and addressing underlying conflicts through creative forms like colors, symbols, associations, and role play. Our most basic and core thoughts, emotions, beliefs, and conditioning are often stored in the subconscious, and art therapy helps access and transform these through the creative mind rather than using logic and language. By turning emotions into visual representations, art therapy creates a healthy separation between one's identity and emotional triggers, making it easier to cope with discomfort. It is highly effective for individuals dealing with anxiety, stress, depression, trauma; PTSD, CPTSD, grief, and more.

 

The goal of art therapy is not to eliminate discomfort but to transform negative emotions into honest, expressive forms that offer validation to suppressed feelings. This process fosters a deeper connection to oneself and improves one's ability to manage inner conflicts and challenges. In art therapy, we encourage self-expression by focusing on the body's sensations and spontaneous impulses, often integrating somatic practices, inner child work, and other therapeutic techniques. It is not limited to "artistic" individuals and is accessible to people of all ages. Art therapy uses various materials like pastels, colored pencils, gouache, acrylics, clay, and collage-making supplies to facilitate creative expression.

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Art therapy can help you If you experience some of the points below: 

• I feel disconnected from my emotions and physical self

• I'm confused and overwhelmed by my emotions

• I feel like I don't have control over my life 

• I lack the skills to set healthy boundaries and stop people pleasing. I don't know how to prioritize myself and my needs

• I don't understand what is triggering my emotions 

• I suffer from low self-esteem and a lack of trust in myself and others 

• I numb my emotions and escape to self-destructive behavior

• Struggling with symptoms of depression, anxiety, emotional sensitivity, stress, PTSD, etc.. 

• I want to be creative but I feel blocked, stuck, and fearful

 

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7 key Benefits of Art Therapy

 

1. Emotional Resilience:  

Art therapy offers a non-verbal outlet for expressing feelings and emotions, especially for individuals who are overwhelmed by strong emotions and struggle to articulate through words. This gentle approach helps people connect with their emotions in a manageable way, allowing them to feel through it without being paralyzed. Gradually, participants develop a healthier relationship with their emotions, moving away from avoidance, numbing, or escaping, and instead learning to process their feelings effectively.

 

2. Stress Reduction & Nervous System Regulation:  

Engaging in creative expression encourages mindfulness, helping individuals stay present in the moment. This process often leads to a meditative state where time feels suspended. By externalizing emotions through art, individuals release internal tension, which helps to calm and regulate the nervous system. This grounding effect reduces stress and anxiety, promoting a lighter and more balanced mental state.

 

3. Self-Discovery:  

Art therapy can unveil subconscious thoughts and emotions that might otherwise go unnoticed. By trusting their instincts, individuals tap into their intuition, uncovering deeper layers of self-awareness. This process fosters greater emotional clarity, empowering participants to feel more secure, stable, and comfortable in their bodies. As understanding grows, feelings of helplessness diminish, and a sense of control takes hold.

 

4. Improved Coping with Life's Challenges:  

Art therapy enhances cognitive abilities such as problem-solving and concentration. It encourages a broader perspective, allowing individuals to view challenges from new angles. By learning to trust their sensations, and creative impulses—especially when the creative outcome is unclear—participants build self-confidence and develop inner trust and resilience. This empowers individuals to face discomfort and adversity with greater ease.

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5. Trauma Processing:  

Art therapy is a powerful tool for processing trauma. It allows individuals to externalize their traumatic experiences, making them feel more manageable and less overwhelming. This process helps create a healthy distinction between the trauma and their core identity, promoting healing at a gradual and personalized pace. Through art, individuals learn to ask, "Who am I?" separate from their trauma, fostering a sense of safety and healing.

 

6. Inner Stability & Confidence:  

By connecting with inner struggles and developing new coping strategies, art therapy helps individuals build a deeper sense of confidence and self-esteem. As they express vulnerability through creative work, they experience a sense of accomplishment, feeling validated and seen.  This fosters stronger sense of connection to self, allowing  positive emotions to emerge and  strengthens inner stability and gradually improves self-image.

 

7. Reparenting the Inner Child:  

Art therapy provides a way to connect with the inner child—the younger, vulnerable parts of ourselves that often drive reactive and uncontrolled behaviors. Through creative expression, individuals can give voice to their inner child, acknowledging and healing unmet needs from the past. This nurturing process helps build self-worth and a sense of security, allowing the adult self to take on a more stable, protective role. As a result, individuals feel less triggered and more grounded, learning to "parent" their inner child with care and love.

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The Art Therapy Process

 

🎨 The individual selects a personal topic they wish to explore, understand, and heal. I often guide the person in choosing a topic that is ready to be addressed. At times, we may start without a specific topic, allowing the internal expression to reveal the most relevant issues. The body always unveils what it is ready to handle and process.

 

🎨 The individual then transfers their inner world onto paper, guided by emotions, curiosity, spontaneous impulses, and intuition.

 

🎨 We work with imagination, role-play, associations, and symbols to help the individual access deeper layers of their emotions and thoughts.

 

🎨 Throughout the process, the client is closely and safely guided. I offer questions and suggestions to encourage authentic expression, but the client remains free at all times to choose how they wish to continue and express their emotions on paper.

 

🎨 We focus on the process of self-expression and emotional release, rather than creating art with an aesthetically pleasing outcome. As a skilled and certified Art Therapist I help the individual to decode the nonverbal messages, and uncover the hidden insights behind symbols, and metaphors in the persons creation. 

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It is normal to be at first hesitant and unsure whether or not to try an art therapy session. If you have the curiosity but sense fear or doubt, please feel free to book a discovery call and I will help you decide if this is for you or not.

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I offer sessions In Hebrew English, and German.