About Art Therapy by Patricia Quinn, MS
Art therapy is as old as mankind. When larger numbers of psychotherapists discovered that using art in treatment was greatly beneficial for adults as well as children, they incorporated as the American Art Therapy Association in 1969. Art therapy, in a sense, restores the original purpose of art as an expression of all that is glorious as well as problematic for human beings. It is based on the premise that the drive energy Freud theorized motivated our high or low acts can be put into the service of growth via creative outlets like art, music, drama, writing and other human pursuits.
Having worked with addicts of all kinds who have very poor frustration tolerance, and have often had impoverished childhoods with little exposure to art supplies or artistic encouragement, I see Freud’s theory proven over and over. People don’t need to have a knack for art, just the willingness to try a new way of expression. It can feel awkward at first, the anticipation of which often stops people from trying art therapy. (Even practiced artists feel uncomfortable facing the blank canvas, or formless marble). Taking the first step, and then another and another, and then you are in the flow of creativity that Csikszentmihalyi talks about. This “flow” of the haptic-sensory part of the limbic system helps us feel and experience life more clearly and thus engage mindfully in our everyday life.
People often discover an innate enjoyment and or facility with the arts, which have been unfortunately underemphasized in our educational system. The ability to create something new and wonderful and perhaps innocent, is proof of inner, untapped resources. My greatest pleasure was when a middle aged person who had grown up hard, had been discarded by family and society, had not touched a crayon since 4th grade, discovered a hidden enjoyment and facility in art in drawing a soaring eagle from a photograph. This person discovered a whole other aspect, which was symbolized by the eagle’s freedom.
Psychologically the arts help us to expand our self awareness and get beyond rigid defenses to tap into memories in a new powerful way. Art allows the unconscious mind to communicate symbolically. If we have trauma, the art helps to split the focus so that we are not overwhelmed as we organize the experience on paper for processing later. Art projects onto materials our interests, our experience and our essential selves. This enhances our understanding and acceptance of ourselves, which strengthens our identities. This is one of the most important aspects of the developing child and in recovery from addictions, where the identity needs defining or becomes blurred.
I have been trained in Ericksonian hypnotherapy for 3 years in order to help those with trauma to change the impact of these memories and sense experiences in the mind. In addition, I offer my training as an advanced Reiki practitioner and Deeksha giver as energetic aids to healing. My regular fee is $75.00 for an hour session. I offer a sliding scale fee to make it affordable for all.
Patricia Quinn,MS, LCAT, ATR-BC, CASAC and NBCCH is a licenced art therapist and addictions counselor certified in hypnosis, Reiki and Deeksha. She is based in Florida, NY and can be contacted at patriciahquinn(AT)frontiernet(DOT)net.
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Having worked with addicts of all kinds who have very poor frustration tolerance, and have often had impoverished childhoods with little exposure to art supplies or artistic encouragement, I see Freud’s theory proven over and over. People don’t need to have a knack for art, just the willingness to try a new way of expression. It can feel awkward at first, the anticipation of which often stops people from trying art therapy. (Even practiced artists feel uncomfortable facing the blank canvas, or formless marble). Taking the first step, and then another and another, and then you are in the flow of creativity that Csikszentmihalyi talks about. This “flow” of the haptic-sensory part of the limbic system helps us feel and experience life more clearly and thus engage mindfully in our everyday life.
People often discover an innate enjoyment and or facility with the arts, which have been unfortunately underemphasized in our educational system. The ability to create something new and wonderful and perhaps innocent, is proof of inner, untapped resources. My greatest pleasure was when a middle aged person who had grown up hard, had been discarded by family and society, had not touched a crayon since 4th grade, discovered a hidden enjoyment and facility in art in drawing a soaring eagle from a photograph. This person discovered a whole other aspect, which was symbolized by the eagle’s freedom.
Psychologically the arts help us to expand our self awareness and get beyond rigid defenses to tap into memories in a new powerful way. Art allows the unconscious mind to communicate symbolically. If we have trauma, the art helps to split the focus so that we are not overwhelmed as we organize the experience on paper for processing later. Art projects onto materials our interests, our experience and our essential selves. This enhances our understanding and acceptance of ourselves, which strengthens our identities. This is one of the most important aspects of the developing child and in recovery from addictions, where the identity needs defining or becomes blurred.
I have been trained in Ericksonian hypnotherapy for 3 years in order to help those with trauma to change the impact of these memories and sense experiences in the mind. In addition, I offer my training as an advanced Reiki practitioner and Deeksha giver as energetic aids to healing. My regular fee is $75.00 for an hour session. I offer a sliding scale fee to make it affordable for all.
Patricia Quinn,MS, LCAT, ATR-BC, CASAC and NBCCH is a licenced art therapist and addictions counselor certified in hypnosis, Reiki and Deeksha. She is based in Florida, NY and can be contacted at patriciahquinn(AT)frontiernet(DOT)net.
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