Art Therapy - The Door - Are You Ready to Take a Peek?

Art Work – Self Expression - Therapeutic Connection

 As a young child I loved to draw, color, paint and even use sidewalk chalk.  My mind would wander into a whole new world of make believe.   I was in control when I held an artistic object in my hand as bursts of colors splashed through my mind; then I would break free and create!

What a great way to express yourself!   As children it is an adventure every single time they decide to create, taking us away to our own special place. A place of serine bliss, peaceful moments and defined clarity.

When we grow older many of us loose that sense of wonder, put limitations on ourselves because of life, circumstance or lack of confidence.  Far too many of us put this useful tool on the shelf forgetting the wonder connected to this simple magic.

Art is actually an expression of oneself, and to be able to transfer those feelings and thoughts onto paper/canvas is truly an amazing experience.  You do not have to be a fabulous artist to accomplish this task.

All you need to do is let your mind wander for a bit and draw what you see in the mind’s eye.   Ohhh, I know you are saying to yourself, “I cannot draw and there is not an artistic bone in my body!”, but that is not the case. We all have this ability.  It may be simple, or it may be extraordinary, but it is all art expression.

There is a big connection to art and therapy because sometimes when you cannot physically get the words out of your mouth, you may be able to express them on paper.

For Example:  You are angry, sad, traumatized. You are in this silent world of pain.  The words refuse to flow from your lips, but someone hands you a piece of paper with black, blue, white and yellow crayons and they say to you, “Here draw a simple picture of how you are feeling right in this moment.”      What does one do?    First your mind will instantly connect with the colors of your emotions.  In this case the black and blue.  Then either scribble the colors on the paper slowly or erratically depending on the mood, or you may write one or two words in these colors and then cross them out over and over again until you feel a release!

This is one example of how art and therapy can connect, because after doing this a few times you may be able to go to the next step.  You may want to verbalize what you were feeling when you drew this picture.

Here is another Example that I have used when working with young girls who had deep trauma:

THE DOOR: Yes, a door!

Taking a piece of paper and folding it into three sections creating two doors folding in. The exercise - is about what you show the world on the outside, and what is really happening behind CLOSED DOORS. I asked the girls to draw their deep inner feels on the inside of the door. They were offered many tools - crayons, colored pencils, charcoal pens, and paint. Now it is time to create from that world that has been so “silent” for far too long. As I watched them all jump into this project. I saw many things. First there was heavy thinking, crinkled brows, and wincing, but slowly there was a moment of transition and transformation. As the colors began to splash on the inside of their doors, I witnessed release.

Then the second part of this project was to close the doors and now draw what is on the outside. It was interesting watching the mood of the room switch gears, and the creativity was through the roof! Some of the doors had bright colors and flowers, others had just words or signs. A few of the doors had ropes and chains going across with bold letters stating “DO NOT ENTER”.

What a powerful project to offer someone who is struggling when they cannot verbalize their trauma and pain. After we were done, some of the young women were courageous enough to share what was happening behind closed doors. Others held it close to their hearts as they were not ready. All of this was a huge step forward towards the healing journey, because in that moment they took back “Control”.

RECLAIMING YOUR LIFE!

What this activity showed them was “You are in control!” When someone has been traumatized or abused, they have lost control, and this is a positive way to regain that self-control back and feel empowered once again. This also VALIDATES that the abuse did happen, and it is time to heal.

Healing comes in steps, and art therapy is a great way to learn how to connect to your inner feelings and thoughts, so you can get them out without saying a word.   The words may come later, but until you get there, this is a great outlet to find some peace and balance. The release.

If you do not feel comfortable with drawing freely on a blank sheet of paper, start out with a coloring book.  Focus your mind on the picture you are working on and connect your feelings with the image.   You may want to graduate to free flowing once you feel more comfortable. You can also color WORDS on paper as well, and this will help you to connect with your inner thoughts.

Whatever you ultimately decide to do, incorporate art expression into your life, and allow your inner child to come out and play once in a while.  You may be amazed at what your “inner child” may teach you!

Embrace the Journey and God Bless,

Lisa Zarcone

Author - Child & Mental Health Advocate -Public Speaker -Blogger - Social Media Influencer

The Unspoken Truth A Memoir

A Child’s Story - An adult’s journey Toward’s healing

I am an adult survivor of child abuse - NEVER to be Silenced Again

Massachusetts National Ambassador for Naasca (National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse)

CASA ADVOCATE (Court Appointed Special Advocate for Children in the Judicial System)