Art About You, an Art Therapy Studio
in Boise offering groups
and workshops to our community.
Art About You Programs
Art About You’s programs provide individuals the opportunity to enhance their well-being and enjoy the therapeutic benefits of art and introspection in a fun, creative environment. The art therapist will suggest art therapy projects and directives on a variety of topics, and guide you towards self-reflection and personal goals in a safe, non-judgmental space. You'll explore what your artwork and the creative process means to you. No art skills or experience are needed - just a willingness to explore.
Programs are provided in a group setting and are available for all ages. Groups are led by Susan Barnes, a licensed clinical professional counselor and art therapist with over 20 years of clinical experience addressing a wide variety of mental health challenges including stress, depression, trauma, anxiety, grief and loss, and family relationships. Groups are scheduled at various times throughout the week and incorporate various media, such as painting, drawing, clay, collage, mixed media, writing, etc.
Some of the potential benefits of attending an Art About You group:
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Reduce anxiety and depression
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Develop relaxation, mindfulness, and stress-management skills
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Increase self awareness and personal insight
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Improve mood, emotional regulation and resiliency
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Identify obstacles to desired change in your life
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Improve communication and self-expression
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Help heal from trauma and stressful events
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Increase connection to self and others and reduce isolation
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Identify hopes, dreams and goals
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Increase creativity and playfulness
All people are welcomed and honored at Art About You, and we are committed to creating and maintaining an atmosphere of openness, trust, and safety where all attitudes, beliefs, values, and behaviors can be freely explored and discussed.
What is Art Therapy?
Art therapy is an integrative technique that uses art making, the creative process, and psychological theory to facilitate healing. The therapeutic process can be limited by verbal expression alone; art therapy engages the whole person (mind, body, spirit) in ways that are distinct from verbal expression and can allow for a different or deeper process.
The creative process of art-making is a powerful means of expression and healing. It can help individuals improve and enhance well-being, gain a deeper understanding of themselves through self-reflection, and express thoughts, experiences, and feelings they may find difficult to talk about.
We are all naturally creative, but many of us naturally disengage from our innate creativity. Awaking our natural creativity can be invigorating, fulfilling, and of course helpful in healing. It can also help us be more effective partners, parents, friends, students, and leaders.
Art therapy works for people with a variety of cognitive, behavioral, or emotional needs. It is an effective tool for individuals coping with life’s day-to-day stress, and for mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, trauma, bereavement, injury and illness.
For more information about Art Therapy, visit the American Art Therapy Association at: https://arttherapy.org/
How is Art Therapy Different
from an Art Class?
The act of creating and engaging in art making is intrinsically therapeutic. However, the goals of an art class and the goals of art therapy are different. Art teachers vary in how they approach creativity, but there is often a focus on art technique and an end product. In Art Therapy the focus is on the art process, exploration, and self-expression rather than an art product. Although an art therapy process may lead to a product, that is a secondary benefit to the process. Only a trained art therapy professional and clinician is able to facilitate both the creative process and the mental health process conjointly. Targeted art tasks will be used but there will be no “wrong” way to make art, and clients do not need any prior experience or proficiency in art making.