Art Therapy, Process Art, Expressive Creative Healing

See also: Creativity & Depression

Many people, young and old, have found a tremendous sense of healing, growth, and personal transformation through the modes of art therapy, process art, and expressive creative healing.

Unlike traditional art-making, with a completed "perfect" end-product in mind, healing arts such as intuitive painting or process painting differ in approach and intent. In her powerful piece, Women, Painting, and Power, expressive arts therapist Chris Zydel describes it as a way "to learn to listen deeply to yourself and to then courageously express what you find, without censoring anything, in a spirit of spontaneity, surrendering to the creative process."

The uses of art therapy (and related modes of expression such as journal writing, visual journaling, and Zen gardening) are many and can facilitate powerful physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual healing and growth in people at various stages. The following art therapy, process art, and expressive healing articles, projects, and resources can help you learn more about how to use these tools for yourself and for others in various healing and inner growth situations.

Art Therapy, Process Art, Creative Healing Articles

How to Make Your Own Desktop Zen Garden
Cultivating a Zen garden is a meditative, relaxing, and stress-relieving activity, perfect for calming down, centering yourself, and healing.

Healing with Zen Gardening
By Chris Dunmire
The Japanese art of Zen gardening is not only reserved for Buddhist monks — it's a transformational tool anyone can use as a therapeutic tool to quiet their minds, de-stress and relax, allow creative inspiration to flow forth, and heal within. Learn more cultivating your own Zen rock garden including how to make your own for under $10.

The Alchemy of Art
By Douglas Eby
Creative expression can transform painful reactions and situations, providing strength and understanding to change how we feel and interact with the world. Works of art made by others can remodel our inner realities.

Women, Painting and Power
By Chris Zydel
I'm standing in my studio, watching ten women painting in silence with exquisite focus and concentration, and the energy is just humming.

How to Play Creatively with Sidewalk Chalk Art
By Chris Dunmire
Doodling on the sidewalk promotes wonderful creative play. You can get your whole body involved in mural-making movement with this art form, so it makes a great therapeutic outlet and comic relief to a stressful day.

Charting Your Soul’s Voyage: Agoraphobia, Panic-Anxiety and Depression
By Anita Glenn
Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia became an unwelcome part of my life in 1989 after many years of living a high-stress lifestyle and having an interesting childhood.

Art Therapy, Process Art, Creative Healing Resources

American Art Therapy Association (AATA)
"Dedicated to the belief that the creative process involved in the making of art is healing and life enhancing."

Arts and Healing Network
"A resource celebrating the connection between art and healing that serves as an international resource for anyone interested in the healing potential of art, especially environmentalists, social activists, artists, art professionals, health care practitioners, and those challenged by illness. Our hope is that the information presented here will educate and inspire."

Arts in Therapy Network
"Dedicated to providing an online community for Creative Arts Therapists (CAT) and those who are interested in the Healing Arts."

British Association of Art Therapists
"Information about art therapy, careers and training in art therapy, and a section for professional art therapists-including continuing professional development, membership details, news and events."

Self-help Healing Arts Journal: Reclaiming the Inner Artist to Heal the Soul
The Self-help Healing Arts Journal believes that the healing arts (all art) has the ability to help heal emotional wounds. This site provides a safe place to help you reclaim your inner artist, improve your self esteem and reach your dreams. Includes information on art healing, healing arts, mandalas, and art projects.

Brush Fire Painting Workshops | Spotlight
Brush Fire painting facilitators encourage participants to shed preconceptions about art making, let go of the final product, and paint with the joy and freedom of a child.

Coloring Therapy
"In Coloring Therapy, the state of awareness sought through meditation is easy because the focus needed occurs in the coloring. This state (suspended inner dialogue) is one of the main purposes of meditation and Coloring Therapy. Once inner dialogue is recognized, it can be managed and life can be influenced in a direction that is decidedly beneficial."

National Coalition of Creative Arts Therapies Associations (NCCATA) "Founded in 1979, the NCCATA is an alliance of professional associations dedicated to the advancement of the arts as therapeutic modalities. NCCATA represents over 8000 individual members of six creative arts therapies associations."

Origami & Mental Health Therapy
Did you know that there are mental health benefits related to folding origami? Learn about the advantages of using origami in therapy and in mental health settings from this site by George Ho.

Vicky Barber’s Art Therapy Pages
Learn what art therapy is, who is it for, what skills are needed, various methods that can be used, and information about art therapy exhibitions.

Writing for Well Being
"It is a well known fact that writing has a positive effect on an individuals sense of well being." Essays about the therapeutic value of writing by Heather Blakey.