Pat Allen, Art Therapist, says in her book, “Art is a Way of Knowing”,  that anyone can learn to cultivate their imagination by doing art image-making. She says, “imagination is the deepest voice of our soul and can be heard clearly …with careful attention.” Pat Allen, goes on to say,

“Bernie Siegel (1986) is a medical doctor who deeply respects the power of imagination in regard to physical healing. He asks his cancer patients to draw images of their treatment in order to discover their deeply held beliefs about the treatment options. He has learned that the belief of the patient, not the objective benefit of a particular therapy, is the greatest factor determining effective results.”

I believe that the power of your imagination in art therapy can encourage you to see yourself in a new way. For example, I knew a woman client who had the realization that her children were becoming adults, and had got jobs and had moved away from her geographically. At first, she expressed depression and anxiety because she had seen herself primarily as a mother. Then through art therapy and therapy, she completed art imagery making. She began to notice that she started to value her imagination when she did art therapy; and then started to value herself as a person, not just as a mother. She also now valued herself as an artist.

Through art therapy, I have seen clients change their beliefs about themselves. And I believe you can do this too. I have seen clients become friends with their imagination when they see that art therapy helps them express their fears, losses, depression, grief, abandonment, and joy. Join me in exploring art therapy by calling (425) 599-8349, or contacting me by email: gaiacorinne@gmail.com  Laura C. Maakestad Sullivan, MA, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Art Therapist, and Artist