Art Therapy has proven to be a vital tool in mental health treatment and community engagement. Just 45 minutes of creative activity can lower stress levels, regardless of an individual’s artistic experience!
My name is Jennifer Chemago and I am an artist and certified Art Therapist with the Vancouver Art Therapy Institute. I also hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a Major in Visual Arts and a Minor in Psychology from the University of Victoria. I have practiced art since childhood and have always believed in the healing power of creativity.
I grew up on Vancouver Island, and I studied art every year in high school. Upon graduating, I received numerous art awards and bursaries for my post-secondary education in Fine Arts. I started hearing about Art Therapy, and the thought of combining art with Psychology to help people intrigued me. Art Therapy was new to me at the time, but I learned that it was first established in the 1940’s when therapists in both the United States and Europe began to complete and release studies discussing the positive influence of the arts on Psychotherapy. And so I combined my passion for helping people with my artistic background and pursued an education in
Psychology and Fine Arts.
As you can see, Art Therapy is a well-established successful therapeutic method, based in Psychotherapy. It is a similar process to talk therapy and traditional counselling services, but words are not required. Personal expression happens through the creative process of making art.
Art Therapy is not an art class and technical expertise is not required. It can benefit people of all ages, from children to seniors. The non-verbal methods used in Art Therapy can aid in trauma relief when feelings are overwhelming and difficult to articulate. It can also be very beneficial for people with disabilities, individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), the elderly with Dementia, or others with challenges expressing feelings verbally.
The beauty in Art Therapy is that there is no right or wrong. You are free to explore the art materials and create your own art in a safe, non-judgmental environment. The focus is on the process of producing art based on how you are feeling in the moment, not on the final product.
I have a down to earth, natural approach to therapy and the Art Therapy sessions will center on individual needs and the client’s unique artistic journey. I can help people discover the deeper personal meaning in their art by considering the different elements of the imagery and the artistic process, for those who wish. However, there is no pressure in Art Therapy. You are welcome to simply make art and enjoy the positive benefits of being creative. You can work at your own pace, and I am there to offer support and guidance. There are countless benefits to Art Therapy, such as reduced stress and anxiety management, an increase to self-esteem and confidence, attention to mindfulness, and the development of skills that can be used to navigate life’s challenges. We can all face daily stressors or difficult situations in life that affect our mental health, and Art Therapy is the perfect outlet for relieving some of these issues.
I provide Art Therapy to kids, teenagers and adults in both individual and group sessions. I have taught art classes to children of different ages. I worked with the Victoria Women’s Sexual Assault Centre, providing crisis support to survivors. I worked with a Music Therapist providing art lessons to the elderly with Dementia. I was also the lead Art Therapist for a program working with young male offenders with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
I have opened my private practice at the Nicola Valley Arts Centre this month. If you would like to learn more about me and Art Therapy, or book an Art Therapy session, please visit my website: www.arttherapywithjennifer.com or email me [email protected].
In addition to my Art Therapy practice, I am a Director with the Nicola Valley Arts Council and we are offering a free drop-in art group every Tuesday from 1:30 to 3:30 at the NVAC art studio. This is an open art- making session and introduction to Art Therapy. Come join me on Tuesdays if you’d like to try Art Therapy for yourself.