Art is a fantastic coping mechanism and tool for emotional healing, wellness, self-care, stress relief and therapeutic creative expression—particularly during this pandemic we are all experiencing together.
Art-making aids in healthy mindful communication and expression of feelings and emotions—such as grief, depression and trauma … what many have been experiencing lately. It is a fantastic, mindful coping mechanism, helps healing and brings more clarity.
There are many beneficial creative ways to utilize art in our daily lives to practice healthy expression.
There is a strong connection between the arts and mental health (including self-care, wellness, self-love, mindfulness, attention, creativity and even improved cognition) and overall well-being.
Therapeutic art provides a way to gain insight and understanding through self-expression. Art especially helps when words alone do not (with feelings, thoughts and emotions).
The creative process can help you identify and express those deep and difficult anxious feelings that we all feel sometimes. The process of creating art can be very calming and brings more self-awareness, which helps soothe symptoms of stress, nervousness and irritability.
Creating art actively helps you visually express and record experiences, perceptions, feelings and imaginations all while enhancing your physical, mental and emotional well-being. Expression through art can help you gain insight, self-awareness and it can even rejuvenate your capabilities to resolve and reconcile conflicts and problems.
Art making can help facilitate change. The art assists with developing interpersonal, physical, cognitive, emotional and social skills for healthy communication.
Art as self-care aids in reducing stress, increasing self-esteem/self-love/confidence and self-expression. Art is a beneficial, healthy and fun coping mechanism. It helps people explore self-expression, such as exploring new and creative ways to gain personal insight and develop new coping skills.
The act of creating art calms the nervous system, promotes the act of mindfulness, focus (reduction of over stimulation from outside sources), increases self-esteem and the sense of accomplishment from creating a piece of art. Art exploration can aid in reducing anxiety by encouraging expression of feelings, problem solving and goal setting which aids in working towards improved thinking patterns. Art is a stress reliever and is especially helpful when verbal expression is limited.
Art is an encouraging playful form or expression, which is especially great for kids. At Art Therapy OC I work with all ages, families and various groups and populations, offering a wide variety of “Creative Healthcare Wellness Workshops” to choose from and much more, which are all beneficial for anxiety reduction and would especially be beneficial at this time and start of this new year for children, teens and families.
Some uplifting helpful art activities I offer (along with many other fun, educational and beneficial choices listed on my website) help particularly in regards to anxiety reduction, painting, crafting, clay and creating a Vision collage. Setting goals is helpful, and can help releave anxiety that may come with the new year and healing from the pandemic.
A Gratitude Journal (focusing on things you are grateful for can reduce anxiety), Affirmation art (ex: reflect on affirmations to help cope with anxious feelings), Mandala art (creating patterns is mindful, meditative and helps reduce heightened emotions), expressive Abstract art, emotion wheel/color therapy (a mind-body connection), are just a few helpful art activities I offer which all aid in anxiety and more from the therapeutic world of art!
Everyone is a creative expressive artist and it’s the process, not the product that matters most. Art can help everyone.
Diana Shabtai, “MISSDEE” PSY.D., atr-bc. Is a board certified Art Therapist who obtained a Masters degree in Clinical Art Therapy , MA in Marriage & Family Therapy & a Doctorate degree (Psy.D.) in MFT. She is passionate advocate for bringing awareness to the therapeutic benefits of Art. Experience studying, working, & educating in the field of psychology & the therapeutic arts for nearly 20 years, and her art studio in Newport Beach -Art Therapy OC-since 2012. Diana has a strong passion & true desire for helping individuals of all ages & populations explore & create beneficial expressive art of their very own.
Diana Shabtai, Psy.D., ATR-BC.
ArtTherapyOC.com
Instagram & FB @ArtTherapyOC
Landline: 949-791-2065
432 32nd St, Newport Beach, CA 92663
Diana@ArtTherapyOC.com