Art Therapy
About Initiatic Art Therapy:
Visual expression has been used for healing throughout history over many different cultures. Initiatic Art Therapy originated in Germany and was founded by Dr Maria Hippius and Professor Karlfried von Durkheim. The term Initiatic Art Therapy refers to working with visual arts in a therapeutic way to initiate a process of self awareness and transformation.
“Art therapy is not so much about understanding and interpreting pictures as it is about the process of creating them. Healing happens through the act of symbolic expression”
(Elbrecht, Cornelia 2006).
With over 60 years of research and development these days art therapy can be found within a number of different practice settings such as hospitals, clinics, public and community agencies, wellness centers, educational institutions, businesses, and private practices. It can also be used in work places as a form of professional development, team building and self care.
Initiatic Art Therapy can assist with:
Self care
Stress
Anxiety
Trauma
Depression
Identity
Lifestyle issues
Body image
Anger management
Classroom management
Career decisions
Family of origin issues
Increasing sense of self
Increasing self awareness
Expressing feelings
MODALITIES
A number of different modalities can be used in art therapy.
The more cognitive aspects of art therapy include symbol work, plasticine and collage.
Guided drawing is the core of Initiatic Art Therapy. It is a technique which combines Jungian Analytical Psychology, transpersonal approaches, body work and art. Guided drawing involves representing on paper your inner impulses using crayons, pastels and finger paint. It is done with your eyes closed and drawing with both hands simultaneously. A sequence of drawings is created within each session and relies on body perception.
“The client can learn to understand, redirect, transform, integrate and thus heal and increase his or her flow of energy” (Elbrecht, Cornelia 2006).
A mandala is an ancient art form which provides a sacred landing space that holds, reveals and nurtures the energy of whatever is expressed inside. Mandalas can be used as a form of crisis intervention.
The Clay Field is a therapeutic approach founded by German Professor Heinz Deuz. It is a unique art therapy approach that is recognised within Europe as a discipline in its own right and is part of the curriculum in schools for disabled and disadvantaged children, is widely used in women’s shelters and also to facilitate trauma healing. The field itself is a flat rectangular wooden box that holds 10-15 kilograms of clay.
