Almost 30 years ago, when I was newly divorced and had three children under the age of ten, I made a decision to pursue a full-time vocation in Counseling Psychology thus making art and music my avocations, or part-time endeavors.  As my children grew older and left home, I was so entrenched in my career as a licensed mental health professional and professor, I found it more difficult to reintegrate art and rationalized that I’d get back to it, “one of these days.”  It was a church friend and also an artist, who sat by me in the alto section of the chorale, that began to nudge me back into my art.  Eventually, after asking her to be my art mentor and taking some refresher lessons from her, I started on this new journey.  A journey that has included joining local and state art societies, exhibiting and entering my artwork into juried and non-juried shows.  I’ve even sold a few pieces, yay! 

I’m thinking about the similarities I’ve experienced as an artist and a therapist.    To do either, one has to be grounded in knowledge, skill, and ability on the one hand and on the other hand intuition, creativity, and vulnerability.  Research indicates that work and creative pursuits help to build connections in the brain to strengthen cognitive reserve, or brain resilience, and subsequently prevent memory loss. As a therapist and an artist, I am aware that I’m in a mutual relationship with others whether creating a therapeutic environment or artwork that will encourage and motivate, often through small, purposeful movement that may help to prevent pain and suffering.

Art, like therapy can be healing because it encourages us to make connections between mind, body and soul.  Art and therapy can give meaning to our lives and helps us understand our world. It is an essential part of most cultures because it allows us to have a deeper understanding of our emotions; increased self-awareness, and allows us to be open to new ideas and experiences.

Here’s to the journey!