POR ART THERAPY

Art therapy is a mental health profession in which clients use art media, the creative process, and the resulting artwork to explore their feelings, reconcile emotional conflicts, foster self-awareness, manage behavior and addictions, develop social skills, improve reality orientation, reduce anxiety, and increase self-esteem (American Art Therapy Association).

In therapy, it’s hard sometimes to find the “right words” to express strong or difficult emotions. Art can give a “voice” to emotions which are difficult to express any other way, and this reduces anxiety about how to “talk” about the problem and allows healing to naturally occur.

At POR we practice what is referred to as “integrated” art therapy. This means that we blend the best theories of art therapy, along with other proven treatment techniques, in an innovative and purposeful manner, to resolve the most common therapy concerns. It is an approach that honors the client, meeting them where their need is and provides them the support and skills necessary to achieve emotional wellness.
Art therapy is a visual and active process differing from other therapy modalities, being a helpful resource when exploring trauma. Creating art allows clients a safe environment to express traumatic experiences. Art expression allows clients to access traumatic experiences, identify trauma, build a trauma narrative through art imagery, build alternative coping skills, and begin to feel mastery and control over their experiences. The creative process promotes self-soothing, anxiety reduction, sensory exploration, decreased frustration, and can be used to contain and validate the client’s experience. Trauma comes in many forms and a POR therapist will determine with the client and/or family if art therapy is the best treatment option.
Many scholarly articles prove the efficacy of the use of art therapy. Art therapy has proven equally effective across age, gender, and presenting problem. For a list of art therapy research in a variety of categories, including trauma, one may search the art therapy association website or click here to download what can be found at the art therapy association site.
Art therapy varies in length. Sessions normally last 30-50 minutes and are either weekly or bi-weekly, depending on the client’s age and their needs. Some issues may improve quickly while others may take longer to resolve.
At POR we want families to be actively involved in the therapeutic process, especially with children. Therapists are in a child’s life for a relatively short period of time, their family will be there for them the rest of their lives, and we want to honor that. You know your child best and we want your support because it will greatly increase the benefits of therapy. You will be allowed to give your input, create a plan with the therapist, and be kept up to date with progress. You will be provided with parenting support and receive ideas to assist in your child’s growth at home. You may be asked to join your child in art activities and there may also be times that your whole family may participate in therapy together.
At POR, we are committed to providing the most innovative and effective therapy programming for our clients and their families. Our therapists receive intensive on-going education, training, and supervision in art, play, and family therapy, along with training in other innovative and proven therapy techniques. We do not believe in a “one size fits all” model of therapy and will work with our clients to find the best therapy tools to meet their needs.

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CALL TODAY: 952.835.6540
CALL TODAY: 952.835.6540