Art Release Therapy
Discovering the Authentic Vulnerable Self
Words Melissa Kendall
At the heart of Art Release Therapy lies the belief that true healing begins with self-expression. I understand the struggles many individuals face in expressing their emotions verbally, this type of therapy offers you a safe very internal healing space to explore your innermost thoughts and feelings through any art. By tapping into your creative intuition, you can access deeper layers of emotion and experience profound healing on a soul level.
In the realm of healing and self-discovery, Art Therapy shines brightly as a symbol of authenticity and empowerment. I have used this transformative approach for myself and my clients, offering a unique journey toward emotional healing and personal growth.
One of the key benefits of Art Release Therapy is its ability to bypass the limitations of verbal communication. I guide participants through a series of artistic exercises, with various mediums and prompts, allowing you to express yourself authentically and without judgment. Through this process, individuals can release pent-up emotions, gain insights into their subconscious mind, and foster a greater sense of self-awareness, often giving the inner child a voice and a place to play, which is often suppressed in adulthood.
When I began Art Therapy, it reignited my creativity and unlocked a wellspring of joy, love, and playfulness. It empowered me to speak up, shed my victim mentality, and release my perfectionism. Art Therapy encouraged messiness, which was liberating. As I advanced through classes and self-guided sessions, I felt compelled to share this transformative process with others.
Another benefit of Art Release Therapy is its ability to promote stress reduction and relaxation. Engaging in artistic activities has been shown to have scientifically based therapeutic effects on the body and mind, helping individuals unwind and find inner peace amidst the chaos of daily life. Through creative expression, participants can explore new ways of thinking and being, challenge themselves creatively, and expand their self-awareness. It encourages you to step out of your comfort zone and embrace your true self, empowering you to live more authentically. Choosing YOU first may not come easily, but as you allow your Art to flow, your everyday life feels easier; you have more energy to give and you radiate from the inside out because your body is no longer holding old feelings and emotions.
Furthermore, Art Release Therapy enhances communication skills by providing a non-verbal means of expression. Communicating through art fosters deeper connections and more authentic relationships with yourself and others, especially your children. By learning to express yourself
creatively, you can cultivate greater empathy, understanding, and compassion towards yourself and others. This is the foundation for true forgiveness to oneself and others, which then allows all the anger, frustration, resentment, and deeper feelings to fall away.
In a powerful Art Therapy session, I embraced a gentle approach, using watercolour paper and soft, gelato- coloured paints. After journaling my emotions, I let them flow onto the canvas. With each brushstroke, tears mixed with paint, creating a cathartic release of pain and anger. What remained was a sense of peace and healing, revealing the transformative power of art therapy.
Through creative expression and compassionate guidance, participants can experience profound emotional healing, personal growth, and enhanced communication skills, creating a memory to take with you after the Art Therapy work. Embarking on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment, embracing your true self, and living a life fully expressed by choosing you is one of the most transformative things you can do for yourself as you rediscover or further discover your inner child and allow her to be LOVED.
You can find Melissa @thefineflow and/or join her for the upcoming event on the 26th May 2-4pm at the Salt Water Studio – Kingscliff. Or work with her privately either face to face or online for VIP Womens Empowerrment Coaching.
