Art Therapy Groups for Adults 2011

Art therapy groups for adults offer participants an opportunity for personal growth and artistic nourishment through the use of art making using a variety of materials and methods in an environment of safety:

The Art of Veil Painting

Veil Painting is a process of gradually building up colour and form on a stretched paper by overlapping layers of watercolour washes in a tonal sequence, usually from lighter to darker tones. The first wash is applied in such a way that it looks like a soft veil of colour over the white paper. Washes are deepened each time they are applied, sometimes in a random way, over the previous veil, once it has dried. The painting, during its initial stages can look like an interweaving of colours of various shades. Further into the process the play of lighter tones against darker tones adds the dimension of form and the painting starts to take shape.

Veil painting is a structured technique that offers the opportunity to slow down and engage creatively in the interplay of colour, light and shade. This process is not about expressing your own thoughts and feelings on paper but rather about feeling into the dimensions of colour, light and shade as they appear before you and creating out of this; the direction the painting takes is often a surprise. The process is a slow, meditative one that offers relaxation, structure and focus. It can be helpful as a creative activity for those who suffer stress, anxiety and panic, or feelings of disconnection and loss of purpose. Veil painting is perfect for those who love to dream into colour.

No previous art experience necessary. All materials provided.

Dates: June 4, 11, 18, 25 Time: Saturdays 3pm – 6pm Cost: $220

The Therapy Group

The Therapy Group is an invitation to women who wish to process their personal concerns and issues using expressive art forms as their vehicle towards greater insight and personal growth. These groups are about self expression and finding ones true value and self worth. These groups are about shifting our relationship to the things we find so challenging in our journey as women.

Groups are limited to four and sessions may include the use of stories and myths as well as various art materials. No previous art experience necessary.

Dates: Oct 17, 24, Nov 7, 14, 21, 28 Time: Mondays 9.30am – 12.00pm Cost: $375

Enquiries to Robyn on 9725 9493

What is Art Therapy?

Art Therapy is a method of treatment that uses the client’s art or expressive piece as the point of engagement between client and therapist. Through its unique language and the process of making it, art involves the client in a different way and can help them find new meaning, understanding and connection to themselves or the situation they find themselves in. Art therapy can help reveal psychological dynamics that may be compromising the client’s health and vitality.

In a session a trained art therapist makes a variety of art materials available to the client and may sometimes encourage the use of other ways to express, such as writing or narrative, body gesture or role playing. Art or Arts therapy can help the client towards an integrated sense of self by assisting in the process of self reflection and insight, emotional expression and release, of resolving inner conflicts, traumatic experiences and unhelpful life patterns.

Private sessions for adults are between an hour to an hour and a half duration. Education, guidance and counselling may be part of a session. Art Therapy is also conducted in groups as therapy or educational workshops.

Who can benefit from Art Therapy?

Art Therapy is for anyone who has a medical condition or diagnosis; for anyone suffering anxiety, symptoms of stress, depression or low self esteem. Art Therapy can assist those in difficult circumstances or personal crisis to help towards a deeper understanding of themselves and their situation. Art Therapy is for anyone desiring inner nourishment, personal growth or to reconnect with self and life. Art Therapy is suitable for children, teenagers and adults of any age. Art Therapy is particularly useful for children and adults who find expressing in words difficult.

Children and Art Therapy

Art Therapy is a wonderful form of intervention for children. They can often process and sort through their issues as they create and express. Children often accompany their art-making with dialogue which can become an important engagement between therapist and child. The therapist may create stories that reflect the child’s concerns or difficulties in a non confronting way that helps protect the child from feelings of shame, embarrassment or trauma, that talking directly about the issue may cause. Stories can help lead the child towards managing their own solutions and changes.

Art therapy can also be tailored to strengthen constitutional weaknesses and improve a child’s general vitality. Art Therapy can help improve a child’s confidence and social engagement or help them to process and move on from a traumatic event that may be affecting their health, development and behaviour. Art therapy can assist the child who always complains of headaches or tummy pains that appear to have no physical basis and that resist other treatments.

Art Therapy has successfully assisted in issues of:

• Family separation
• Bullying, (victim and antagonist) and problems of social engagement
• Low self esteem
• Poor health and vitality
• Depression and anxiety
• Post traumatic stress or traumatic events
• Psychosomatic illness

Robyn has been involved with Art Therapy since the 1980’s and was amongst the first pioneers of the field in Australia. Robyn trained in the UK in the Hauschka Artistic Therapy method and began her work at the Melbourne Therapy Centre in 1987. Robyn uses a range of approaches to inform her work and develop her methods and has certificates in Initiatic Art Therapy, Story Telling and Family Relationships Education. Robyn includes play and healing stories in her work with children and specializes in areas of post trauma, anxiety, depression and psychosomatic illness.

Robyn is a qualified and Registered Arts Psychotherapist with ANZATA (the Australian and New Zealand Arts Therapy Association).

Available for private sessions

$100 per hour. Concession rates available.

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