Why Art therapy? (a poem)

Art therapy brings us together

An early love of colour,

paper stacked in rainbow order

Pens arranged from light to dark.

The rhythm of pencils

colouring

between the lines.

Gentle sounds at dining tables.

The plastic smell of tubs of crayons,

felt tip marks along my fingers

shiny holographic papers

Dot to dotting,

joining up the lines.

Vivid pompoms soft and silly,

Handmade playdough,

colours added.

Discs of paint

scrubbed and blended,

bubbles blown between two hands.

I was most myself when art-ing.

This remains true.

I could be there with you

while you visit these parts too.

Forgotten joys,

the fun of playing.

Wishes and sadness's

found and shared.

A safe,

good space

with art to travel,

gently,

back and forwards

from there.

Always landing

and returning,

a little wiser

for adventuring.

Present

in the now.

More yourself when art-ing,

a space between you and I.

---

I am not a proper poet.

These words just came to me the other day and I thought I'd be brave and share them with you. After all I ask my clients to be brave with me so it only seems fair.

I think this poem captures some of those memories I have around art that lead me in the direction of becoming an Art Therapist.

BUT

I realise many of us don't have positive memories about art from our childhood. Lots of people discard it as a subject in school and frankly never look back.

But art isn't just drawing and I bet you are more creative than you think.

Art therapy isn't just about drawing either.

We can write, sew, collage, paint, sculpt or journal.

None of it needs to look good but it might still be good for you.

I will not limit you and you shouldn't either.

Thank you for indulging my wee poem.

I'd love to hear the different but positive ways that creativity shows up in your life.

Oh and contact me if you'd like to try 'art-ing' in therapy.

Ellen