Jungian art therapy

I came to Jungian work through a series of events. As you've probably noticed on my other pages I am an Art Therapist. My training as an Art Therapist primed me for symbolic psychological work. After finishing my graduate work I began clinical supervision with a Jungian oriented Art Psychotherapist and Professional Counselor. During this time I picked up framework terminology and inspiration in an organic manner. This growth period led me in the direction of pursuing my own analysis. I began to realize that Jungian Psychology was the missing puzzle piece in my practice framework and life. 

My personal description of Jungian theory is that it is a multidimensional and paradoxical way of approaching and looking at human growth and development, spirituality, history, culture, literature, religion, art, architecture, music, dreams, the world, the universe, etc. Jungian psychology (although he did not refer to his work as Jungian. He referred to it as Analytical Psychology) was developed by Swiss Psychologist/Psychiatrist Carl Jung. It creates a web of connection between all of existence through varying dimensions of consciousness both collective and individual. In simple terms it looks at all of existence both personal and collective through a symbolic, archetypal, and spiritual lens. 

What does this have to do with our therapy work?
The most significant part of psychotherapy is relationship. Without relationship transformation cannot take place. We begin by bringing ourselves into the room. (I don't mean I tell you about personal content in my life, but that you get a sense of who I am, and that both of our psychic energies are swirling in the space.) This relationship container allows for complexes to be revealed, explored, and ideally transformed. We'll look at the symbolic nature of your dreams, artwork, and narative to highlight connections, patterns, and underlying psychic pathways. The purpose of all this is to help you find the unconscious answers within yourself, to integrate the fragmented bits, and to create space for wholeness to occur.  

​The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed." - C.G. Jung

What is Art Therapy?

Art therapists help individuals gain access to complex psychological concerns and heal from psychological wounds through the artistic process and product. 
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​Art therapists do not tell individuals what their artwork means. Artwork analysis (or understanding the meaning of artwork) is  a collaborative process, and ultimately meaning comes from the creator. Talent or artistic skill is not a requirement of art therapy work as it is an expressive pursuit.

​Art and dreams alike are the product of an individual's psyche. Art allows us to gain access to your truest pains, needs, urges, and desires. 

In art therapy with me you will have the opportunity to use a variety of art media such as paint, clay, chalk, oil pastels, collage, found materials, and more. Through art making we will begin to illustrate your narrative in a way that is contained and safe.
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“The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance." -Aristotle