One of the most useful skills in developing our mental wellbeing is mindfulness. A practice of mindfulness has been shown to help with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, heart health and chronic pain.
“Mindfulness is awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgementally” - Jon Kabat-Zinn. Mindfulness is a non-judgmental, receptive mind state in which we observe thoughts and feelings as they are, without trying to suppress or deny them. We can be in contact with the present moment –noticing, with openness and curiosity, what is present, right here right now. We can give ourselves space to be, and not overly concerned with the past or future. Meditation is a wonderful way to practice mindfulness, however meditative activities can be found in our everyday lives. Art making is an activity that helps develop mindfulness. It allows your mind to become focused and less distracted. Engaging in art therapy with a mindful approach can help you be centred, stay present in the moment and connect with your inner self. Here’s a simple way to start using art making as mindfulness practice. Start by sitting at a table, taking a few calming breaths and set an intention to focus on the here and now. Using a pencil or marker on a piece of paper, slowly breathe in and then draw a line as you breathe out. Repeat alongside this line, drawing a new line for each out-breath. Allow any thoughts or judgments to come and go. Notice how the breath feels, the sensation of drawing, the quality of the lines, the texture of the paper, sounds around you. Continue until the paper is full. What are some other ways you can practice mindfulness in your everyday life? Let me know in the comments. If you'd like to explore how art therapy can help you, please contact me or make an appointment.
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Why is art therapy beneficial, and how does it work? In art therapy we use art materials to bring change and growth as a person’s issues are worked through. The aim of art therapy is psychological or emotional healing; a return to good health, wellbeing and vitality in a person’s life. A brief history of Art Therapy When did art therapy begin? Art therapy is an established field in mental health:
The creative process Art making is connected to the intrinsic human need to play. Our ‘humanness’ has been the subject matter and reason for the arts throughout history. The process of art making, or ‘making special’ involves deep and strong emotions and appeals to our thoughts and senses. Art transcends cultural boundaries and is a natural part of being human. In art therapy there is often the sense of being immersed in the art process, a feeling of creative flow; there is likely to be spontaneity, imperfection and acceptance. The art therapist may be witness, facilitator, counsellor and guide. The talking process In therapy, the person is invited to talk about the artwork so they can uncover what it means to them and gain insight. Talking alone may be inadequate to explain the richness of imagery and imagination, so to gain the most benefit from the person’s art making the art therapist brings curiosity about all the elements of materials, perception, place, body and the art process. Talking about the artwork allows clarity and avoids assumptions and interpretations being made. The experience of becoming In philosophy, the idea of ‘becoming’, the ‘passage between points’, elevates the experience of becoming above the potential of the start and end points. To use a well-worn phrase, it's about the 'journey'. 'Becoming’ is central to a holistic approach in art therapy. Art therapists are sensitive to the person’s needs, embracing the value of the process and the relationship between therapist, the person and their artwork, supporting and participating in their growth. The focus is on belonging and connection between people. How do we use art therapy to heal? Healing occurs through the relationship between the person and their environment. In art therapy, the experience of being in the space, sensing, perceiving, physically handling art materials and interacting with others are essential elements of the healing process. Healing is in the entire experience of art making and in the space between our self and the world. Experience art therapy for yourself
You can make an appointment here and I look forward to supporting your healing journey. |
AuthorPhilippa Montier AThR is an art therapist and counsellor serving Sydney's Northern Beaches. ArchivesCategories |