Art therapy
Art therapy is a therapeutic approach that uses the creative process and art mediums* (e.g.: crayons, paint, clay, magazines) to assess and support an individual or group. People in art therapy are supported by a professional art therapist who holds a master's degree in art therapy and training in visual arts and psychology.
*No prior knowledge of art is required.
Why art therapy?
Finding the right words or ways to express yourself can be difficult, especially when you're going through a difficult time. Through artistic mediums, art therapy helps us safely express ourselves beyond words and understand what we're feeling. Art therapy can also be used to explore from different perspectives the issues and blockages that affect us in our daily lives, such as the presence of anxiety symptoms. Sometimes, observing color, line, and shape is enough to make us aware of what we're experiencing. A good understanding and connection with ourselves can foster the creation of new possibilities and inner solutions, better self-esteem, a sense of empowerment, and a sense of well-being.
Here are some challenges we can address in art therapy:
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Expression and emotion regulation
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Relieving anxiety symptoms
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Exploration of one's own experience
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Developing curiosity towards new perspectives
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Self-esteem and self-affirmation
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Difficult transition period
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Loss of meaning
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Feeling stuck or disconnected
The image helps us reflect our internal world.
My approach is:
Collaborative
Centered on the individual, their strengths and preferences
Creative
Anchored in the present moment
Personalized
Inclusive
Culturally sensitive
Professional experience and training in art therapy
As an adoptee myself from Vietnam, I have experience in working with international adoptees. I also work with individuals from immigrant and culturally diverse backgrounds. Issues addressed may include adoptive or bicultural identity, fear of abandonment and rejection, and the challenges of adaptation. My professional experience in art therapy has also led me to work with a varied adult mental health clientele, both individually and in groups.
I first studied music before turning to visual arts. After completing my bachelor's degree in psychology, I completed a graduate microprogram in art therapy at the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, then completed my master's degree in art therapy at Concordia University.
