Art Catharsis

The process of exploring your creativity can help you develop self-awareness, process emotions, deal with stress and even boost self-esteem.

“Art therapy is a mental health profession that helps people cope with ailments such as depression and anxiety,” says Regine Gillmann, a registered art therapist.

Art therapy is best suited to those who struggle to verbalise their feelings, opting instead to heal through the act of drawing, painting or other forms of creative expression.

“Art therapy is also the manner in which internal resources like self-awareness and confidence are developed,” says Gillmann.

“This is how a person becomes able to approach situations better in future.”

Various materials are used in art therapy, often depending on the medium preferred by the individual.

This includes clay, colouring pencils, crayons, paint and paper, Gillmann says.

“Many of us instantly recognise these, as we had art classes at school.”

She says first-time clients are often overwhelmed at the initial prospect of creating.

“In terms of paper size, it’s not ideal to overwhelm the individual who comes for therapy with trying to fill the entire paper surface. To put them at ease, I would suggest an A5 or A4 sheet, because you need to start small,” she says.

According to her the aim is not to be the next Picasso or Van Gogh, but rather to find a way to express whatever built-up tension or psychological ailment a client may have.

“I allow the patient to draw and express their first thought with the colour they’re most comfortable with. This is not about what they’re drawing or painting, but why they chose to use a specific colour, for example.”

Gillmann believes making clients feel uncomfortable about what they sketch is not ideal as it would make them more guarded.

“Many adults would have a mental block about what to draw, but they only have to start using the materials to do whatever comes first,” she says.

Gillmann works with a wide spectrum of clients – from children to adults – and says younger people are quicker to express themselves, whereas older people have a more programmed approach.

“Many adults will start thinking about what I would think about their picture, whether I will judge them on the quality or meaning of it. This is not what is done. We rather find the means for the person to release through, and then we reflect on how they felt.”

Even song and dance can be used if drawing or painting does not suit the individual, Gillmann says.

“But many people are not comfortable dancing in front of a therapist, so the painting and drawing room is often chosen,” she says.

With many more people staying indoors due to the coronavirus pandemic, the opportunity exists to implement art therapy at home.

It’s as simple as starting with a pen or pencil and a sheet of paper, she says. Creating collages or vision boards can be incredibly therapeutic and can help one focus on future goals or deal with challenges.

Contact Regine Gillmann on social media for more information.

– dwight@namibian.com.na

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