Birchwood Art Therapy

What does an art therapy session look like? The art therapy process will be unique to each therapist. Generally, it begins with an initial intake where the therapist will get to know you a little better and understand your reasons for coming to therapy. This way client and therapist can collaborate on the best approach to the therapy. In an art therapy session, the art therapist usually provides an array of materials from crayons to paints, to found objects and clay. The cli...ent may come in with a particular idea in mind of what they would like to work through that day or might ask the art therapist for a directive that is relevant to their goals, or the client may not have an idea and go with some spontaneous art-making. Just to note, each art therapy session is unique, and there is no right or wrong way to approach it, you don’t even have to make art, the space is there for you to explore and use in the way that you need that day. There is usually time set aside to explore the artwork that has been created. A dialogue begins and the therapist will ask questions about the process of making the art, the art itself and the feelings of the client. Through this dialogue of exploring metaphors and symbolism within the art you may gain insight about how this is reflected in your own life. Art therapy is looking a little different these days. Most of it is online due to safety concerns. This is a new approach to many art therapists in a very hands on field. It’s a learning curve and will look different for everyone and likely change along the way as we adjust!

I had a conversation about control today and what that looks like in the time of COVID. We’ve had to partly give up some control due to the uncertainty of the world. We’ve had to adapt and change and give things up collectively as a human race. Having a sense of control over our lives is important in many ways, without it, we can feel anxious. And there are also many ways we can access this control and empower ourselves. What appear to be small acts create larger meaning in o...ur lives than we may realize. What is something you’ve done recently to resource yourself? #arttherapyontario #arttherapy #arttherapy #barrie #barriebusiness #smallbusiness #resourceful

Art as Therapy Vs Clinical Art Therapy Art therapy believes that we can use our natural creative abilities to move towards a place of healing and growth. There are many different ways that art therapy can be approached, and this will depend on the individual and their needs and goals. Art therapists can offer both clinical art therapy sessions and art as therapy sessions.... A clinical art therapy session involves more of a focus on an individual, or group, their art and their specific goals for therapy. They may be working with unconscious material or using it to express feelings through artmaking and dialogue with the art therapist. Art as therapy has more of a focus on the artmaking, where-as the actual act of creating art is healing within itself. Relaxation, learning new skills, self-esteem, empowerment, self-mastery, stress and anxiety relief are some of the benefits that can come from creating art. It is common that clinical art therapy and art as therapy may overlap. Strong feelings can come up unexpectedly, or maybe the artmaking feels like enough that day and you may not need to engage in a dialogue. Being aware of what your body and mind may be telling you, what emotions or sensations are coming up in the moment are ways that you can determine what you need, and an art therapist can help you with this.

My services/How I am using this platform. We are living in a world right now that feels a little unpredictable. At this time, because of COVID-19, I am not providing individual or group sessions in my own space but hope to be able to provide these services in the future. For now, I am available for contract work with organizations in their locations. I also would like to start to explore the possibility of running online art therapy groups, so I am hoping to be able to provid...e these services in the near future! For now, I am going to use this platform as a place to provide information about art therapy and to connect with others. Contact: [email protected] 705-794-4905 Instagram: @birchwoodarttherapy

Why Birchwood? The birch tree is one that I have felt connected with. In researching the symbolism behind this tree, its meaning connects with how I view art therapy. It symbolizes rebirth, new beginnings, and growth. It is a sacred tree within Celtic mythology because of its protective influences and feminine energy. What is beautiful about the birch tree is that it is one of the first species to regrow in a tragedy, for example a forest fire. Even after a tragedy, a loss, a setback, or whatever it may be, we can access these inner protective influences, this inner strength and heal and grow.

A little about me, My name is Connor and I was raised in Barrie, ON. In 2017 I received my bachelor’s concentration in Psychology. That same year I moved to the other side of the country to attend art therapy school in Nelson, British Columbia. I learned many things from the Kutenai Art Therapy Institute and my community. I received my Diploma in Art Therapy two years later, and where I completed my thesis on Art Therapy For Women with Diverse-Abilities. I am passionate about... working with others on how we use our innate creative abilities to learn, to grow and to heal. I am interested in all thing’s wellness, in learning about the biology of the brain and how our experiences can affect us, in the power of creativity and words through art and poetry. Currently, I am back in Barrie, ON and my services will be provided here and also within the Muskoka, ON area. See more

Hello! And welcome. I am happy to introduce Birchwood Art Therapy, art therapy services provided by myself, Connor MacPherson. Over the next couple of days, I want to talk about who I am, what art therapy is, the services that I specifically provide and how I would like to use this platform. I look forward to connecting with others and I am very excited to finally begin this process of working with others in their own journeys of self-expression, healing, and exploration. I... want to start by giving a little information about what art therapy is. Art therapy is the process of combining creativity with psychotherapy. We use artmaking as a way to express ourselves, to gain insight, to understand what we may be going through at the time. Sometimes when we experience powerful emotions, it can be hard to find the right words. Art is an extension of ourselves, when we make marks on a page, we are able to explore that by working together and to try and gain insight and awareness. Art therapy is also about the mind-body connection. When we create, we are active, we move our body, we involve all of our senses, this can help with making connections. Who is art therapy for? In short, everyone. What is very important to understand is that you do not have to be an artist to make art. Some day’s its squishing a piece of clay or splattering paint or drawing stick figures to help you tell your story. All art is welcome. Art therapy is for children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly. For those with anxiety, depression, disabilities, for those making a big change in their life, who are overwhelmed at work, or feeling stress. For those who have had a loss or are needing to get back into that creative space. Thank you very much for taking the time to look today. I look forward to connecting. Connor.