Art Therapy and Counselling
Perinatal death brings together two of the most emotional of human experiences: birth and death. Although women come together in the joy of the former, they are often left isolated in the grief of the latter. (Speert, 1992, p.121)
Art Therapy offers a unique, creative avenue for women to explore their inner world in a safe, supportive environment. Unlike traditional talk therapy, this approach allows women to express thoughts and emotions through artistic mediums like drawing, painting, and sculpture, combining verbal and non-verbal communication. This can be especially powerful for those who find it challenging to articulate their feelings through words alone.
Led by the client, Art Therapy sessions are tailored to meet individual goals and interests, whether the focus is on emotional well-being, anxiety reduction, self-esteem building, or improving interpersonal skills. As your therapist, I guide the process, but the client is in control of their creative expression, making each session a personal journey of self-discovery and growth.
Art Therapy can be helpful in learning how to manage stress, process trauma, and develop stronger, more positive relationships. By engaging with art, clients can unlock new ways of understanding themselves, resolve inner conflicts, and foster emotional healing, regardless of any artistic ability. Whether it’s about overcoming specific life challenges or simply enhancing one’s emotional health, Art Therapy is a valuable resource that supports personal growth and resilience.
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AREAS OF SPECIALISTATION
Infertility / perinatal death / pregnancy loss
From a study done by Speert (1992), a lost “sense of self” is a repeated theme expressed by reproductive trauma survivors. Speert argues that the broken connection with the growing fetus is not just a lost relationship with the expected child, but also a lost relationship with the self and the body. Women report feeling “diseased”, and like they cannot return to the person that they were before the loss or diagnosis happened (Hughes & da Silva, 2011).
Pregnancy loss or infertility can often represent the loss of the “(pro)creative self” and damage a woman’s confidence in her body’s ability to create (Speert, 1992). Not only can the tactile nature of art materials help a woman to feel more connected to her body, but a directive like “the girl within” can remind a woman of her value and aptitude beyond her fertility struggles (Speert, 1992). This directive focusses on reclaiming the girl within by asking the individual to create an artwork that represents herself at a time when she felt most free and able to express herself. Figure 6 is my own interpretation of this theme, where I painted myself as a butterfly around the age of 6. Speert (1992) refers to Hancock (1989) when he says:
Something in society gives females the message that creativity and confidence is no longer to be trusted or valued after age 12 or 13. Hancock refers to this creative, confident individual as the “girl within.” The creative process can enhance self-esteem and revive a personal sense of purpose. Art making may symbolically rekindle this “spark” as women again see themselves having the capacity to create. The creative process can renew the “girl within” while simultaneously working through the grief process. (p.127)
Pre or post-partum anxiety / depression / sadness
Take a minute to write an introduction that is short, sweet, and to the point. If you sell something, use this space to describe it in detail and tell us why we should make a purchase. Tap into your creativity. You’ve got this.
Feminine individuation / Who am I?
From a study done by Speert (1992), a lost “sense of self” is a repeated theme expressed by reproductive trauma survivors. Speert argues that the broken connection with the growing fetus is not just a lost relationship with the expected child, but also a lost relationship with the self and the body. Women report feeling “diseased”, and like they cannot return to the person that they were before the loss or diagnosis happened (Hughes & da Silva, 2011).
Pregnancy loss or infertility can often represent the loss of the “(pro)creative self” and damage a woman’s confidence in her body’s ability to create (Speert, 1992). Not only can the tactile nature of art materials help a woman to feel more connected to her body, but a directive like “the girl within” can remind a woman of her value and aptitude beyond her fertility struggles (Speert, 1992). This directive focusses on reclaiming the girl within by asking the individual to create an artwork that represents herself at a time when she felt most free and able to express herself. Figure 6 is my own interpretation of this theme, where I painted myself as a butterfly around the age of 6. Speert (1992) refers to Hancock (1989) when he says:
Something in society gives females the message that creativity and confidence is no longer to be trusted or valued after age 12 or 13. Hancock refers to this creative, confident individual as the “girl within.” The creative process can enhance self-esteem and revive a personal sense of purpose. Art making may symbolically rekindle this “spark” as women again see themselves having the capacity to create. The creative process can renew the “girl within” while simultaneously working through the grief process. (p.127)