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Thank for illustration to Camila Negreiros https://ru.pinterest.com/pin/3940718418979433/ Metaphorical painting is a creative approach in art therapy and personal expression where images are used to represent feelings, thoughts, or life experiences indirectly . Instead of painting literal scenes or objects, you use symbols, colours, shapes, and forms  to express what is happening inside your mind or heart. How It Works The painting becomes a metaphor : Each element—colour, l

Art can be a powerful mirror of our inner world, capturing emotions that are sometimes difficult to express with words. But what do we do when a painting reflects unpleasant or overwhelming feelings ? Instead of hiding or discarding it, we can transform it , giving these emotions new meaning and releasing their energy in a creative way. Here are some ideas to re-shape your paintings: 1. Re-draw or Re-paint Take your existing painting and add, change, or cover elements . Modif

Thank for illustration to The Minds Journal https://ru.pinterest.com/pin/135178426311572276/ Understanding your emotions can sometimes feel confusing. We might feel angry , but underneath, there could be fear , sadness , or frustration . A visual emotional journal  is a simple yet powerful tool to explore what you truly feel, gain insight into your patterns, and track your emotional growth over time. Step 1: Set Up Your Journal Choose your journal:  Any notebook or sketchbook

By Machine Elf 1735 - Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=13285286 Emotions shape how we think, behave, connect, and make decisions. But often, we experience them as a confusing mix—too intense, too subtle, or difficult to name. Psychologist Robert Plutchik  created one of the most influential models of emotion, known as Plutchik’s Wheel , to help us understand what we feel and why. What Is Plutchik’s Model? Plutchik proposed that all huma

Photo by Deniz Altindas  on Unsplash Mindfulness-Based Art Therapy (MBAT) is a therapeutic approach that combines two powerful tools for wellbeing: mindfulness  and creative art-making . Together, they help people slow down, reconnect with their inner experience, and process emotions in a gentle, non-verbal way. MBAT draws from traditional mindfulness practices—such as breathing, body-scan meditation, and present-moment awareness—and integrates them with expressive arts: draw

Yulia Yu. "The Map of The States: A Journey to Myself" "I finished the painting for the first time after the session. I spent another hour and a half sitting and drawing. Here is what I created 😍😍😍 I really enjoyed it 😍"

Photo by Matthieu Comoy  on Unsplash The cultivation of an artist’s identity in art therapy begins with attentive, poetic perception of everyday life . As Moon writes, “The world is full of opportunities to hone my artistic sensibilities – to listen for the poetry in casual conversation… to see the visual artistry in what is right in front of me.”  This deliberate, sensory-focused presence helps therapists develop empathic observation , which requires both attunement and clea

Photo by Dev  on Unsplash Autography, a term coined by Gillian Whitlock, denotes a graphic autobiography and aims to “draw attention to the specific conjunctions of visual and verbal text in the genre of [comics] autobiography” (Whitlock 2006, 966). Memory itself is a constructed process. Frederick Bartlett’s research in the 1930s revealed that recalled stories become more coherent over time, shaped by pre-existing ideas, general knowledge, and cultural expectations. As Foste

"Honey Hedgehog"

Photo by Sveta Korniienko  on Unsplash Reflection on Catherine Hyland Moon’s Quote "It reminds me that it is unlikely I will ever save anyone from ruin by barging in with my techniques and theories and reputation. But if I am willing to be with them and to be guided by the cracks of our lives – the marks of our making and our inability to always hold ourselves together – then there is a chance that together we may find new life." This statement speaks powerfully to the heart

Photo by Simona Sergi  on Unsplash Theme:  Belonging, self-worth, identity, emotional authenticity Music inspiration:   Creep  (Radiohead) Radiohead began as a rock band of the ’90s, but over time they transformed the very idea of what rock, electronic, and popular music can be. They reinvent their sound again and again—sometimes unexpectedly, even uncomfortably—yet precisely this honesty and refusal to fit in makes them a cult phenomenon.This session uses the emotional atmos

Marc Chagall, Over the Town, 1918, oil on canvas, 45 × 56 cm. Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow.   At our studio, we draw inspiration from Marc Chagall , whose paintings blend folklore, dreams, and memory in a soft, lyrical world that transcends ordinary reality. His floating figures, symbolic animals, and poetic landscapes invite us into a space of imagination — a “magical realism” that feels emotionally true, even if physically impossible. Why use Chagall-style art in therapy? It h

Photo by Pierre Bamin  on Unsplash Art therapy draws from diverse psychological frameworks. Each theory offers a unique lens through which clients can explore emotions, memories, identity, and personal meaning. Below are several influential approaches in contemporary art therapy practice, along with examples of art-making techniques commonly used within each method. 1. Psychoanalytic & Psychodynamic Art Therapy Rooted in the work of Freud and later psychoanalytic thinkers, th

Photo by Vitaly Gariev  on Unsplash Unconditional Positive Regard  – The therapist accepts the client fully, without judgment, creating a safe space for self-expression. Empathy  – The therapist strives to understand the client’s experience from their perspective, reflecting feelings without interpreting or imposing meaning. Congruence (Authenticity)  – The therapist is genuine, honest, and transparent in interactions, modeling trust and openness. Client as Expert  – The ther

The Art Therapy Practice Continuum is a framework that organizes art therapy interventions  along a spectrum from sensory and kinesthetic experiences  to cognitive and symbolic experiences . It’s about the depth and type of engagement with art materials  and what those interactions can evoke in the client—emotionally, cognitively, and physically. This continuum is often associated with the Expressive Therapies Continuum (ETC) , developed by Kramer, Hinz, Lusebrink , and other

Photo by Giulia Bertelli  on Unsplash Art therapy offers a unique space for children to express emotions and process experiences. When combined with Somatic Experiencing (SE) , it becomes a powerful method for addressing trauma and enhancing self-regulation. This integration bridges psychodynamic approaches  with sensorimotor therapy , creating a multi-level pathway for healing. I would like to introduce you the short digest of the article "Healing boundaries: a teenager's ex

Photo by Jon Tyson  on Unsplash There is a deeply meaningful moment described in this story of art therapy work with a teenager. A moment where art becomes more than a picture on paper. It becomes recognition . “This was a special moment, when he asked me, ‘Why do you like this painting so much?’ And I replied, ‘Why do you think I do?’ with a particular smile on my face. And he lowered his eyes a bit as he said it, and the words were almost a whisper but he did say it: ‘It’s

Photo from https://affordableartfair.com/fairs/sydney/ The Affordable Art Fair  in Sydney is a contemporary art event designed to make art accessible to everyone, whether you are a first-time buyer or an experienced collector. The fair brings together local and international galleries , showcasing thousands of artworks priced from affordable  entry-level works to higher-value pieces, usually within a set price cap to keep art purchasing approachable. Visitors can explore: Ori

Photo by Jared Rice  on Unsplash Support. Reflection. Growth. Safety. Supervision is an essential part of art therapy practice. It provides a confidential, reflective space where the therapist can explore their work, understand their responses, strengthen their clinical thinking, and ensure the client receives safe and ethical care. Art therapy is relational work. We are present not only to the client’s emotions, stories, and creative expressions, but also to our own internal

Photo by Steve Johnson  on Unsplash Expanding Expression When Traditional Art-Making Feels Difficult Art therapy is rooted in creativity, self-expression, and emotional communication. However, some clients may find traditional art-making challenging. This can include people who have: • limited fine motor movement• physical disability or fatigue• visual or perceptual processing differences• hand tremors or muscle weakness• trauma responses connected to certain art materials• d