A brief background to Expressive Art Therapy(including Art Therapy)
Art therapy has evolved since the beginning of humankind. In the 1800’s Hans Prinzhorn observed that the art of those in mental institutions seemed to help and support those doing the art by creating a place of release. It developed more strongly after World War II as Margaret Naumburg, worked with children who were dealing with trauma of losing their families and displacement from their homes. It is a gentle non judgmental approach, allowing the person to experience through art materials what is happening for them in their unconscious. “Making the unconscious, conscious”.
Through visual art, action methods such as sociometry, psychodrama, drama therapy and theatre games that promote wellness and community, clients are supported in looking at and understanding deep and often complex issues. The creative arts; drama, visual art, writing (prose and poetry) dance, storytelling and music involve creative expression as a means for healing the mind, body and spirit. The therapist acts as a guide in a co-creative process as the participant develops a relationship with her/himself through the artistic medium. In one manner, the participant removes their “conscious” ego selves in order to be able to understand the unconscious world, of feelings, spirit, and dreams. Feelings of all nature can be explored in a safe environment. Using the arts allows a person to unconsciously uncover and understand blocks through symbolic language, that keep one from going forward with their lives and dreams for the future. As one paints, moves, writes or acts from this place, one creates a dialogue with the self. One can draw or paint, dance or write from many different view points. One can go deeply into one aspect of an issue a little piece at a time in order to understand it more fully. By expressing oneself through the creative arts, one is utilizing both physical and emotional bodies to explore issues, through color, kinesthetic, shape, texture, and form. One is not limited to one art form to understanding oneself through the creative arts. The diverse arts complement each other.
The goals of this training is for participants to explore and sample the use of art therapy, in the context of supporting people in times of crisis as well as on going support.
- Theory and practice of group building through Sociometry exercises
- The theory and uses of Art as a therapeutic tool
- Neurobiological effects of trauma (or other experiences)
- Neurological effects of the use of art to treat differing psychological issues
- To practice different aspects of Art Therapy daily
- To learn about different ways to use art and therapy, in differing populations (Family, Couples, Psychiatric illnesses, Children, physically challenged, Autistic, Using for empowerment, groups and issues concerning community social action.)
- To look at the influences of Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, Carl Rogers and others on the world of Art Therapy
- Ethics of Art therapy from a western perspective- Discussion of ethics from an Indian perspective.
- Leading an art therapy session, Warm up to Cool down how to do, and decide which exercise?
Although this is primarily an experiential training, there will be time for discussion, processing and sharing.
We are doing a 5 day training the 27th Sept to 1st Oct, 2010.
for registration please contact us at 9884100135
More about Jennie Kristel please look at the following link:
http://centerforcounselling.blogspot.com/2009/07/art-therapy-workshop-jen-kristel.html
