Art making and healing

When words fail

Often considered one of the first art therapists, Jung understood that ‘Often the hands know how to solve a riddle with which the intellect has struggled in vain.’ (Jung 1960/69). What he meant by this is that there are times when it is difficult to put thoughts and feelings into words, but engaging with art materials can facilitate meaningful expression of these difficult-to-say thoughts and feelings. The process of engaging with art materials within a relationship with a trained art psychotherapist can in and of itself be transformative. Because art psychotherapy has to do with self-expression, deepening understanding and shared thinking, prior experience of art making is not necessary. The emerging art works reflect deeply personal experiences that are communicated within the safety and confidentiality of the therapeutic relationship and are generally not suited to exhibition and display.