Path of Soul
I often am asked about the transformational work I do with people. Inevitably, the question arises: what is Arts Therapy and how does it work?
Arts Therapy is the use of the creative process that lives within each individual intertwined into the psychotherapy process. I use a combination of visual art, Authentic Movement, journal writing, meditation, imaginal journeying and simple ritual to create a connection to one’s self and one’s inherent creative power as a force of healing.
I believe it is each individual’s birthright to be able to create art as a source of self expression, and the denial of this ability in our culture has lead to a myriad of disease, despair, depression and dysfunction. We are alienated from ourselves and each other because we are alienated from our each other and the planet we live on. This blocks us from the truth of who we are and who we are meant to be.
Instead, we have taken the creating out of our daily lives so that art-making is available only for those with special ability, “the talented artistic types”. We deify them, paying exorbitant sums for their work. Thus we separate ourselves, becoming intimidated and fearful of making out own creations, certain they could never hang on a gallery wall.
This kind of comparison is a trap and a set-up. It denies us access to our own creativity, which is deeply satisfying and empowering. Art making of any kind is the creation of beauty and meaning, a part of all life. It is an act of power deeply woven into the fabric of our ancient and indigenous cultures. And it is a means of birthing one’s vision and blessing into the world. My work as an Arts Therapist and Soul Purpose Coach has evolved from this stance.
I have experienced and witnessed an incredible process that occurs when one sits in this sacred creative space, contacting a deeper Self within to create from. Through that contact with the creative process a release occurs. New awareness and insights occur which reverberate through all levels of one’s being. Consciousness and our experience of self shifts. Healing starts to occur from deep within the psyche, effecting body, mind and emotion.
This process is not easily explained when judged by the logical analysis of our waking mind, the intellect. It is an exhilarating exploration and the unending process of self discovery is enlivening. We finds answers to questions we didn’t know we had and understands hidden parts of ourselves.
The pain of working through personal challenges is lessened somehow as we come from the integrity of one’s center, where the creative spark within us all emanates. This is soul. It is from this place that all healing occurs, and it is something that we all have access to. It is a great misunderstanding that we are not taught that this is possible at a young age.
I serve as a guardian and guide to one who undertakes this inner journey, so they may contact the wisdom that lives within. We all have come to this life with a vision, a path we are meant to follow. It is my quest to empower those who wish to reveal who they are, to become who they are meant to be. I support those who wish to find out what they came to do in this lifetime and how to manifest it. This work is a deep, rich experience, the self-revealing process of the Soul. We are guided by mystery as rich and delicious as we all are, when we let ourselves be.
