DATE: 8/1/2024 | Articles
Sophia Koukourli Art Psychotherapist
In Art Therapy, it is important to approach Art as a means of expressing our emotions and experiences, as the expression of our inner landscape.
The children are expressing themselves often through painting. It is a familiar and an almost daily habit, a natural way of communication.
For the adults, on the other hand, it’s been years since they last dealt with the creation of a piece of art. They have to remember again how painting acts as a means of expression, just like when they were children.
The art psychotherapist by contributing in the therapy, supports the person to get in touch with the perception of the piece of art that he created, by using it as a therapeutic means.
Experiencing Art Therapy often leads to getting familiar with the expression by means of art and the creativity boosts this inner research.
The inner landscape, the image being created in Art Therapy, even without words, has a lot to say. The expression through personal symbols, is a new code of communication. It could be easily compared to learning a new language.
The rules of painting are debunked, there is no right or wrong, the goal is to set the inner emotions free, through poetry, through creation. What is important is the trust in the procedure of self-expression and self-search, and not trying to create a piece of art by emphasizing on the artistic techniques.
The importance of the images that we have around us, the colors, the shapes, the empathy, the relaxation and the spontaneity, during Art Therapy, lead to a better approach of the architecture of our inner landscape.
Inspired by the book “ Art Therapy” by Cathy A. Malchiodi.
“Knowing thyself” (gnothi sauton) is the actual getting to knowing ourselves. Its true essence lies in caring for the soul, self-awareness, awareness of our skills, abilities and potential. It helps us understand the way we could act in order to gain the real self-awareness.
P.P.Germanou 13,
153 41 Agia Paraskevi, Athens
Tel.: +30 210 6397284
Mob.: +30 6943 470586
e-Mail: info@gnothisauton.gr
