What is Art Therapy?

In art therapy, art is used as another tool for communication along with words. Materials that are difficult to be formed in words can be expressed in art and through verbal process of art created, one can gain new perspectives.

In art therapy, art making (painting, drawing, collage, sculpture and more) is used to express oneself, to communicate and to reflect upon oneself. The focus is less on the products created, but more on the process of artmaking. The aim is not to create beautiful images, but to increase awareness of self and others, build identity, develop coping skills for stress, illnesses, conflicts and traumatic experiences, and enjoy the life-affirming qualities of artmaking.

Who Can Benefit from Art Therapy?

People of all ages who are under stress of life events such as loss, illness, big changes in life or relationships,
who wish to gain further insights and awareness of self,
who wish to make changes in life patterns,
who wish to express oneself through creativity and be inspired to live a fuller life,
families wishing to work together to bring changes,
and more...

Experiences

Eungyung has been using art and art therapy modalities in individual and group settings to work with various populations:

-street children in Ethiopia more info & images
-community art project more info & images
-adolescent out-patient psychiatric unit
-community educational setting
-art therapy workshops in cultural center
-geriatric residential and community program
-children after-school program
-prison and prison hospital in Finland
-juveniles in prison in South Africa
-children in detention center
-orphanages

Individual Art Therapy Services

Art therapy individual sessions for children, adolescents, adults and families are available in Huolintatalo, Pasilankatu 2, Helsinki. One does not need to have prior experience in art or special artistic skills but interest and willingness to explore. Please contact Eungyung at eungyungkim(at)gmail.com or 044 3456 476 for inquries.

Links

American Art Therapy Association
Finnish Art psychotherapy Association (Suomen kuvataidepskoterapiayhdistys ry)