The Secrets to Including Art Therapy in the Treatment Process

• •Describe how art can be helpful in unlocking the emotional brain


• •Identify and overcome challenges that therapists face when inviting clients to engage with a creative process


• •Detect and minimize safety issues associated with asking clients to make art in session


• •Utilize creative therapeutic dialogue with clients about their art


• •Apply art therapy interventions that effectively accommodate the client's developmental stage of emotional representation


• •Implement art invitations that assist clients in reaching a broad range of therapeutic goals

Using Art in Therapy Safely & Effectively
Making art can be a powerful tool in therapy to create movement with stuck clients. It can provide the therapeutic experience necessary to unlock the emotional brain and establish a new level of discovery and change. While many therapists recognize the power of art therapy, few understand the risks associated with asking clients to create art; some clients benefit from talking about their art, others do not, and it is essential that therapists understand where clients fall on this continuum. Therapists cannot be effective in this endeavor if they do not understand that the creative process entails risk-taking, partnering with the unknown, tolerating fear and anxiety, and overcoming past criticism.

This engaging seminar provides participants with skills to invite and inspire clients to make art in session. Ten powerful art invitations will be taught as tools to seamlessly introduce art into therapy. Discover the importance words have on clients' art–making and gain confidence in utilizing creative art interventions and approaches in therapy by discussing, modeling, and practicing the creative process. Participate in several hands-on art activities during the seminar that will be meaningful, both professionally and personally. Attendees leave knowing the safety issues and warning signs that may cause re-traumatization and other negative side effects, and how to minimize these risks.