ART THERAPY & EMDR
What Is Art Psychotherapy?
Art Psychotherapy is infinitely adaptable to anyone and any “issue”. Creating art affords opportunities to literally step back from the work in progress and examine things from alternate perspectives, revealing new relationships, constructs, and interpretations not so readily apparent. Art can provide a place to contain and process pain while also opening up new doors. Working in a different language–visual language–frees inhibitions and barriers that can be challenging to surmount through traditional talk therapies. What might be difficult to say with words can be expressed freely in one’s art. Art provides comfort, connection, focus, freedom, inspiration, and integration.
What Is EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy. It is one of the most effective therapies for trauma. It can also useful with a wide range of issues, including but not limited to addictions, grief, anxiety, depression, performance enhancement, and relational issues, helping to change entrenched negative beliefs into positive beliefs. EMDR allows for adaptive information processing, bringing about learning, emotional and physical symptom relief, and freeing of adaptive responses (from EMDRIA’s definition of EMDR).
Art Therapy & EMDR
Art making can be used in conjunction with EMDR, in the preparatory phase, in the EMDR session and in between sessions. It is theorized that art making is effective in resolving trauma because trauma becomes encoded in the brain in an iconic, or visual way (Bessel van der Kolk, 1988, Judith Herman, 1992). Many people who may have had extensive therapy for trauma or unresolved negative beliefs may find EMDR will help complete their treatment. Art Therapy provides a visual reference point, to fully experience transformation kinesthetically.
Deanna Miesch and Merri Isom are trained in levels I & II. They regularly consult with trusted area professionals.
