[SybilMarie]

Has anyone tried using art therapy in the comfort of their own home? I'm seriously considering it as a relaxation technique that I'm willing to try.

Thanks in advance.

[CANDC]

Hi @SybilMarie I did informally. I self taught to do water colors and oils and I took an oil painting course from adult education. I found that I could spend a long time focusing on painting. I did paintings over and over until they looked the way I imagined in my mind. I think art is great.

I have not tried these, but there are quite a few free courses on art therapyi with a google search:
free art therapy online

[SybilMarie]

Originally Posted by CANDC

Hi @SybilMarie I did informally. I self taught to do water colors and oils and I took an oil painting course from adult education. I found that I could spend a long time focusing on painting. I did paintings over and over until they looked the way I imagined in my mind. I think art is great.

I have not tried these, but there are quite a few free courses on art therapyi with a google search:
free art therapy online

I think you accidentally did a double post. Oops.

[CANDC]

@SybilMarie thank you for pointing out dup post which I removed.

[Buffy01]

Originally Posted by SybilMarie

Has anyone tried using art therapy in the comfort of their own home? I'm seriously considering it as a relaxation technique that I'm willing to try.

Thanks in advance.

I have myself

[pliepla]

I would definitely recommend any form of being creative* if you have that inclination- which could be anything like drawing, painting, singing, dancing, ... - can help you to express things you can't talk about or share with others in a more direct form. You don't necessarily have to do this with a therapist (although it may help to have somebody who challenges you or with whom you can discuss results) and also I have experienced that many psychologists are open to discuss issues that surface while being creative.

For me tango dancing helps me - trains me so to say - to get access to things that are normally buried deep down. It is a form of expression at the moment of dancin but in the end this helps me to express myself more easily in other circumstances.

* By being creative I do mean creating something of your own. I recognize that diamond painting, colouring books, crafts, ... that are often termed as creative can have a therapeutic effect (minimizing overthinking, a meditational effect, ...) but these, in my opinion, won't give you access to thoughts and feelings the way other creative activities do.

[Buffy01]

Originally Posted by pliepla

I would definitely recommend any form of being creative* if you have that inclination- which could be anything like drawing, painting, singing, dancing, ... - can help you to express things you can't talk about or share with others in a more direct form. You don't necessarily have to do this with a therapist (although it may help to have somebody who challenges you or with whom you can discuss results) and also I have experienced that many psychologists are open to discuss issues that surface while being creative.

For me tango dancing helps me - trains me so to say - to get access to things that are normally buried deep down. It is a form of expression at the moment of dancin but in the end this helps me to express myself more easily in other circumstances.

* By being creative I do mean creating something of your own. I recognize that diamond painting, colouring books, crafts, ... that are often termed as creative can have a therapeutic effect (minimizing overthinking, a meditational effect, ...) but these, in my opinion, won't give you access to thoughts and feelings the way other creative activities do.

Awesome

[pliepla]

Originally Posted by Buffy01

Technically, I tango

[Buffy01]

Originally Posted by pliepla

Technically, I tango

Sounds amazing

[speckofdust]

I do art therapy at home. I work with an art therapist for a few months, and now I just do it on my own.

[Buffy01]

Originally Posted by speckofdust

I do art therapy at home. I work with an art therapist for a few months, and now I just do it on my own.

Sounds awesome

[speckofdust]

Originally Posted by Buffy01

Sounds awesome

Yes, life saving, actually! I just make what I feel like making - usually no training or classes. I'm a creative by nature. Not talented, just creative.

[walkingthecow]

Originally Posted by speckofdust

I do art therapy at home. I work with an art therapist for a few months, and now I just do it on my own.

I like your paintings, especially the one in the middle.

[Buffy01]

Originally Posted by speckofdust

Yes, life saving, actually! I just make what I feel like making - usually no training or classes. I'm a creative by nature. Not talented, just creative.

awesome