Topic Tuesday // Art & Creativity // Tues 9th November, 7:00-8:30PM AEDT

I find Art Therapy immensely helpful @Anastasia !

I actually alternate seeing my Art Therapist and Psychologis, that's how helpful I find it! And I actually think they complement each other really well because the art allows me to process and understand something, but then also gives me a way to explain it to my Psychologist, using the art as an example.

So it has become a huge part of my care team. I hope you can find someone great for your son!

Question 4: How can art and creativity help us?

How can art and creativity help us?

Art and creativity has helped so much in my recovery!

I’ve found that art can foster connection. For example, during the Pandemic when I haven’t been able to see my friends I have been making them gifts from poems to cards to videos and sending it to them which has been lovely.

Art is also a super useful communication tool for me. It allows me to kind of have my feelings summarised in a physical way. So when I go to explain those feelings to someone – which are a lot clearer after making art about them – I kind of have any easy means of accessing and communicating those feelings. It helps me to stay grounded when talking about them because I have a clear basis to talk from.

Art is also a really helpful coping strategy – which I feel like I don’t have to explain. But it has helped me to cope with big feelings and navigate the world and challenges in ways that words alone often can’t.

I find mindfulness art helps. I can then zone in and 'feel' the creative experience.

@Former-Member i am interested in trying art therapy to help me connect with my feelings through journaling art, but I am also would like to be like @Shaz51 and just play with art like kids to, just enjoy the experience and colours without feeling it must look like something, just fun @1stepup61

Oh @Former-Member I feel.like crying for this information. I hope it's something he is interested in trying 🙏

The in person versus online question is an interesting one @nony

I have done both and have actually found online quite helpful at points because if I become distressed I am already safe at home and can pet my cat or something. It also helps having a bit of distance between me and the Therapist as it can be an intense relationship at points.

In person is also great though! Each to their own. 🙂

"during the Pandemic when I haven’t been able to see my friends I have been making them gifts from poems to cards to videos and sending it to them"

I love this, so sweet @Former-Member !