m: 07788 643157 | e: info@angelamassuccopsychotherapy.co.uk
Sometimes it can seem almost impossible to find the words to express difficult thoughts and feelings. Through the process of drawing or painting, art therapy may help a person to make a deeper connection with their feelings. A person may then wish to explore, through talking with their therapist what has been expressed through their art, and be supported to gain further insight and understanding.
The physical act and involvement of producing art can be therapeutic in itself. Art therapy is not a test of skill nor of aesthetics: it is a creative way of helping a client to release energy, and express thoughts and feelings that in time may emerge as visual metaphor opening a pathway to verbal expression of emotions that may otherwise remain blocked and unrecognised. Feelings may be of depression, anger, indecision, or even love. thoughts and feelings that in time may emerge as visual metaphor opening a pathway to verbal expression of emotions that may otherwise remain blocked...
A drawing or painting can be thought of as a dream expressed on paper. The form it takes can offer valuable and important insight into a person's fears and hopes. Art therapy can be beneficial to children and young people; older people from different backgrounds also find the use of colour and texture in drawing or painting to be a helpful element in their therapy and at times very liberating and enjoyable.
In an art therapy session there is no pressure to produce a drawing or painting. Sometimes just sitting quietly together with the therapist will be enough for a person to begin to communicate, whether in words or images. Art materials are provided and it is the client's choice whether to use images or words, or a combination of both, to engage experientially through the art making process alongside the empathic and non-intrusive presence of their therapist.
Before I trained as a therapist, my background was in theatre, television and advertising. My special area of interest is working with people in the arts - designers, architects, writers, artists - coaching people through difficult, pivotal times in their careers.
I can assist where, for example, you've become creatively blocked. I take an experiential Gestalt approach and can help to re-establish creative energy, or help with framing a change of direction or approach, or even career move.