Person Centred Art Therapy (originated by Liesl Silverstone) Traditionally Counselling/Psychotherapy, are "talking therapies." Research by Sperry R. (1973) shows the separate functions of the two hemispheres of the brain. The left brain (thinking, analytic, judgemental, verbal). The right brain (non-verbal, spontaneous, creative, intuitive). In therapy, it can happen that by "talking about," an experience, the client can stay in his/her left side of the brain, and not connect with repressed material on the right side of the brain, the very material needed for integration. Person centred art therapy can enable you to use both right and left hemispheres of the brain, affording you an all round therapeutic experience, to maximize your potential for growth and personal development, and work through any problems you are experiencing. Art therapy is a safe and powerful way of working that can reach the crux of your concerns in a remarkably short time frame, enabling increases in self awareness and integration to take place. No artistic ability required, it is more about the process you work through, rather than producing an "artistic masterpiece." all that is required is an openness to work with a variety of art materials.
How does an art therapy session proceed ? Usually, I would invite you to settle your mind from intrusive thoughts, with a gentle guided meditation for a few minutes. Once in this relaxed and receptive state of mind, I would introduce a word, or theme that has arisen from you, during our work together, that appears to hold significance. From this point I would guide you through the four stages below. There are four stages : Imaging- allowing images to float up in your minds eye, making those images visible in art form, the therapist will facilitate and help elicit the meaning of the image, and the fourth stage is to work on the emerging issue in counselling.