"The arts enable us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time." Thomas Merton
What is art therapy?
Art therapy is the use of art materials and processes to aid in issues of living, psychological problems, and personal growth.
Who is art therapy for?
Art therapy is for people of all ages who would like to explore personal issues and enhance personal growth through a non-verbal expressive form of therapy. It is particularly appropriate for people who have trouble verbalizing their problems or for those who naturally like to express themselves through the visual arts. Children, teenagers, adults, families, and couples
can all benefit from art therapy.
Art therapy is the use of art materials and processes to aid in issues of living, psychological problems, and personal growth.
Who is art therapy for?
Art therapy is for people of all ages who would like to explore personal issues and enhance personal growth through a non-verbal expressive form of therapy. It is particularly appropriate for people who have trouble verbalizing their problems or for those who naturally like to express themselves through the visual arts. Children, teenagers, adults, families, and couples
can all benefit from art therapy.
Do you need to be artistic to do art therapy? The focus in art therapy is on the individual and their personal process in the art making. It is not on how well one can draw or paint. How is art therapy different from art classes? Becoming more skilled at a certain process like drawing may be a benefit of art therapy, but is not the main goal. Art products are used to help individuals understand and interpret their feelings about personal issues. Who can practice art therapy? Art therapy can be practiced by individuals who have training in human development, psychological theory, art processes, and art history. They must have completed a master's level course of training in a program certified by the American Art Therapy Association. They must also be registered with the American Art Therapy Association or have their ATR. In NY state they must also be board certified and have a creative arts therapy license or LCAT. When looking for an art therapist, in NY, you want to see the following credentials after their name: ATR-BC, LCAT. This indicates that they have obtained the highest level of training. |
What is an art therapy session like?
At Art Therapy on Hudson, art therapy sessions are conducted online with your own materials or in a studio that is equipped with a variety of art media from pencils to pastels, paint, clay, fabrics, mixed media, and collage. You can have individual sessions or be seen in a group if one is available. During an initial session you might be asked questions or to do specific art tasks as a way to assess your needs. Some art therapists suggest activities and others allow you to choose what you want to do. At Art Therapy on Hudson, I generally work both ways depending on what your particular needs are. Sessions can involve talking or just making art or a combination of both. Usually, there is some form of dialogue or reflection about your art and process at the end of the session. As a somatically trained therapist, I also involve the body in the art-making process and provide methods for developing a deeper relationship with the self through the body. What are group art therapy sessions like? At the moment I do not have studio-based art therapy groups due to COVID-19 restrictions, however, I hope to begin in-person groups again in 2023. For now, I am only running groups online. Group sessions may involve cooperative or individual projects. Verbal dialogue may be focused on a particular issue such as socialization or embodiment. Cooperation and reflections on art products among group members are encouraged. Individual sessions are 60 min and groups are generally 90 to 120 min. |
Praise for Art Therapy on Hudson:
"As a result of my therapy with Mia de Bethune, I actually learned to express art that had been locked inside of me for over 20 years. I'm doing pottery and collage and have started painting again." Miriam S., Boynton Beach, FL
"Look at the good you've done. You've really helped me in so many ways. My eye has really developed and I've even had a photo in an exhibit. You are a success at what you do!"
Susan R., Bronx, NY
"Mia de Bethune is a phenomenal helping professional who inspires creativity in the populations she serves. Having had the opportunity to work with her and the teen boys under her supervision, providing my creative services was a welcome opportunity. Ms. de Bethune is a patient and earnest listener, who is honest and dependable, which allows this population to feel safe and open to the creative offerings made available to them. She is a consummate professional and a sterling example to her profession as a Licensed Creative Arts therapist."
Barbara B., Poetry therapist, North Brooklyn Health Network