AM I AN ART THERAPIST?
Q - hi kathy,
quick question, do you have an art therapy degree? i've been thinking about going back to school for that so i can "have a real job" that is still centered around art. your art for self healing class sounds a lot like what i would like to do and my vocational rehabilitation counselor wants to know what the job viability of such education would be. any information you have would be a big help to me.
A - Hi! thanks for your email and inquiry.
No, I do not have an art therapy degree or license. I know that there are some great programs available. In Florida there is one in Gainesville that is quite good.
My work has a slightly different focus than traditional art therapy. I believe the very act and process of creating releases a great healing force within. When our creativity is encouraged to express itself, uncensored and from the heart, what emerges on the canvas (or whatever medium is used) is exactly what is needed to allow healing to begin. We don't have to understand it, analyze it or even like it. It just works...really well! It is one of the most rapid and effective venues I have found for moving life forward into joy, balance and well-being.
In the book "The Artists Way" we are encouraged to write 'morning pages' every day. By letting ourselves simply open up and express whatever wants to come out, we tap into the creative force that is a part of each of us. It can become a resource for going through our days with more open minds and calmer energy.
I use a variation of this excellent advice. I paint every morning (well, most mornings). Not one of my commissions or larger scale paintings. I paint an 11x14 canvas board, just for me. Just to swim in my creative river for a little while and simply enjoy playing with color, texture and pattern. It's always a fun surprise to see what emerges, and the variation from day to day is really amazing. And when I show up for myself, for my dreams, by giving myself this time each day, life moves forward in the most beautiful way.
So, to answer your question, there certainly is a huge need for traditional art therapy. I have read many art therapy books and use aspects of that discipline in my work and classes, but as I hope I've demonstrated, the emphasis of my classes is different.
If you feel drawn to pursue art therapy, I certainly would encourage you to follow your heart!
