All individuals begin their life in a highly creative state, whether through social or imaginary play, dress-up, drawing, building, singing, dancing, joking, story-telling, creative writing or any number of expressive acts. Children all start off drawing without self-judgment as it is a vital form of early and effective communication. This means that we all start off as creative beings communicating not only to others that we exist uniquely but also as a way to self-reflect.
As an adult, even if you are a scientist and do not consider yourself an artist, the same brain networks are employed in both inventive pursuits. Neurologically speaking, this is what we are really interested in – re-structuring the brain in beneficial ways for your mental health and quality of life!
An Art Therapist deeply values that part of you that has the capacity to create beauty and meaning as you once did without ever doubting your ability to do so. For many of us the inner artist is told to stay in hiding and as we grow it gets lost and undermined in the world of adulting. An Art Therapist reminds you of your inherent ability to create and encourages you to re-activate that skill into a higher functioning level of development so that you can benefit from its potential.
