Introduction to the Healing Benefits of Art Therapy
Join Expressive Arts Therapist, Cher Curshen for an introductory workshop focusing on the healing benefits of expressive arts as therapy. Drawing has long been recognized as a powerful tool to gain insight to the subconscious, allowing for inner conflicts and experiences externalized providing insight to the individual (Malchiodi, 2007).
New research in neuroscience has helped us to better understand trauma as a sensory experience, rather than a cognitive experience. Art provides a powerful yet safe vehicle for iconic (sensory) images and symbols of the individual’s experience to be transferred external for explicit (cognitive and conscious) evaluation.
This transfer of iconic memories occurs in response to the psychomotor activity allowing for the expression of sensory memories for which the client may have not words to express. These external drawings then act as a container through which safe exploration and exposure to the various sensations and experiences can occur allowing an opportunity for the client to modify and manipulate their emotions and responses as needed for a sense of safety and control. Additionally, drawings act as a focal point and provide a foundation for their story allowing them to express visually what they experienced so that we can bear witness to their experience (Steele & Raider, 2009).
Next training to be scheduled in the Spring of 2016. To request this training be scheduled sooner please contact [email protected] and indicate the training you would like to attend in the subject line.