How Does Art Therapy Work? Why is it effective?
Art therapy is a method of expressing ourselves and processing difficult experiences in a way that feels structured and safe. There are many differences between traditional talk therapy and art therapy when it comes to healing from trauma. For example, when participating in art therapy, a person is activating a completely different part of the brain. In art therapy both the right and left sides of the brain are being utilized, as opposed to only the left with traditional talk therapy. This is important because although we use the left side of our brain for language, trauma and emotions are stored on the right side of the Brain. Often art therapy can bring more success to clients than talk therapy because using both sides of our brains allows for the formation new neural pathways leading to more effective coping and trauma processing. Another difference is that when participating in art therapy a client is physically involved with the materials and proactively responding to trauma and rebuilding their lives. Thus clients often feel more empowered with this method of therapy as opposed to feeling re-victimized with other methods of therapy.
Why Choose Harmony Arts?
In General Why We Need Therapy to Cope With Medical Changes
When our mind, body, and spirit are not in harmony with one another or we are not living our lives in a way that is consistent with our beliefs or purpose, this causes suffering. When our body is no longer functioning the way it used to, or the way we think it ought to, this is much more than just a difficult adjustment. When we are faced with mortality or impossible medical decisions we are often overwhelmed beyond words. These experiences are the kind that can shape and change our lives, sometimes in intense or terrifying ways. However, they are also part of what joins us all together as being human. For this reason, we don’t need to hide from reality or shelter others from our true feelings if this causes us further pain. My job is to help people feel comfortable in their new or changing reality.
I Am Also a Registered Nurse
Although I will be visiting you as an art therapist, I am also a registered nurse. This is important because it means that I have a much deeper understanding of a clients medical status than other therapists. It also means that I have a larger skill set and background knowledge to pull from when problem solving how to best help a client cope with a given medical situation. Lastly, it means that I'm very comfortable being around people with medical complications and having conversations with them about how to live the fullest life possible in spite of their diagnosis.
I Travel to You
Making it to a therapy office on time when you have a busy life can be burdensome for anyone. When you also deal with wheelchairs and other medical equipment, feeling easily fatigued, and coordinating caregiver schedules this increases the difficulty ten fold. Not to mention that some people may not be able to leave the house at all due to being unable to get out of bed or needing to avoid all the germs of a public crowd. These obstacles would normally prevent people from gaining access to therapy. However, when you are in the familiarity of your own home you not only have access to treatment but you may also feel more comfortable opening up because the anxiety that accompanies traveling to an appointment is not present.
I Bring Adaptive Equipment for Ease in Art making for Everyone
Another way I cater to individuals with medical conditions is through adaptive equipment. As the art therapist I provide all of the materials. Some of which include equipment specially designed to assist people who might feel limited by traditional art materials. As a medical professional and a therapist I am highly experienced and dedicated to adapting services and supplies to the specific needs of each person. With a little adjusting even people who thought they could never make art are able to produce pieces that help them process, make meaning, and heal from their experiences. Thus, they become more capable in moving forward with a sense of harmony with their new life.
Please see below for images and examples of "adaptive equipment."
About The Therapist
Andrea Russell MA, LPC, RN
Clinical Therapist, Art Therapist, Registered Nurse
A Letter From Andrea
Hello,
My name is Andrea Russell. I am a clinical therapist and art therapist. Before becoming an art therapist I worked as a registered nurse for several years. I quickly realized that supporting patients emotionally was my favorite part of the job. This motivated me to begin my journey of becoming a counselor. Now, I work with clients of all ages hoping to find their inner strength, peace, and freedom while they live life in a way that is true to who they really are.
As a counselor and registered nurse, I understand the extent of the connection between our mind and body. I feel passionate about seeing each person as a whole, including the emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual impact they feel from their unique experience of life. I believe that healing only occurs when all of these aspects are working in harmony with one another. Being trained in both traditional therapy as well as art therapy, I use a variety of interventions to assist clients in the healing process with mindfulness promotion at the heart of my practice.
The art making process is an amazing tool for clients to find the empowerment to care for themselves, express their inner experience, and practice self-love during difficult times. I have worked with multiple populations as both a nurse as well as an art therapist. Some of these populations include people living with medical conditions and psychiatric diagnoses, people with eating disorders, people with addictions, both caregivers and patients in hospice, at-risk youth, and those in the criminal justice system. Trauma and traumatic loss are common experiences for people in these populations. Art therapy can serve clients wishing to overcome the experience of trauma and traumatic loss by providing an outlet for exploring and expressing emotions in a way that feels safe and contained. No prior experience or artistic skill is necessary to participate in art therapy. Often people are surprised by how much emotion can come forward from even the simplest piece of art (including stick figures and scribble drawings). However, I am diligent in guiding clients through the process so that they feel safe, in control, and not overwhelmed. Each art intervention is carefully planned and constructed based on the specific needs of every client. Other methods used include positive psychology, motivational interviewing, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and Gestalt.
Each therapeutic relationship is unique and special, which is why I am happy to accommodate any needs in order for my clients to feel comfortable attending therapy. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns. Thank you for your interest in working with Harmony Arts Counseling.
Sincerely,
Andrea
