Mission:

Global ARTery is an art based consultancy committed to offering services related to individual and group art therapy, therapeutic art workshops and service training to help address mental health needs related to trauma on a global scale.

What is Art Therapy and Therapeutic Art?

From The American Art Therapy Association: “Art therapy is based on the understanding that the creative process of art making is healing and supporting of personal development. Through art making, its observation, and self-reflection under the guidance of an art therapist, one can increase self-awareness, cope with illness, stress, and trauma, enhance cognitive abilities, and enjoy the life-affirming joy of creative endeavors. Art therapists are professionals trained in both art and therapy and hold a Masters or Ph.D. degree in art therapy or a related field. Art therapists work with children, adolescents, and adults and provide services to individuals, couples, families, groups, and communities.

How Does it Work?

First of all, it’s important to realize that one doesn’t need to be an artist to engage in art therapy. No previous experience in necessary. Art therapy is a form of expressive therapy that uses the creative process of making art to improve a person’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

The creative process involved in expressing one’s self artistically can:

  • Resolve emotional issues
  • Improve Coping Skills
  • Reduce stress
  • Improve Self-Esteem
  • Increase awareness
  • Increase Creative and Physical Energy

Projected Outcomes of Art Therapy:

  • Self-discovery: At its most successful, art therapy triggers an emotional catharsis and release of deep rooted patterns and feelings that provide insight and awareness into one’s self.
  • Personal fulfillment: The creation of a tangible work of art can build confidence and nurture feelings of self-worth. Personal fulfillment comes from both the creative and the analytical components of the artistic process.
  • Empowerment: Art therapy can help clients visually express emotions and fears that they cannot express through conventional means, and can give them some sense of control over these feelings.
  • Externalization: The idea of “getting these feelings out” and down on paper is a tangible way of seeing what has been expressed and provides the opportunity to review and revisit the work throughout the course of therapy and even long after.
  • Relaxation and stress relief: Chronic stress can be harmful to both mind and body. Stress can weaken and damage the immune system, when used alone or in combination with other relaxation techniques such as meditation and guided imagery, art therapy can effectively relieve stress

Services Offered:

ART THERAPY CONSULTATION

Global ARTery has been brought into several situations to develop sustainable art therapy programs in both community and school based settings. Through an comprehensive Needs Assessment, we look deeply into three areas:

  • TOMA – Top of the Mind Analysis • Allows one to explore people’s perceptions and immediate associations with a particular issue. It works by asking what is the first things that comes to mind when someone says a particular word.
  • DILO – Day in the Life Of • What are the social, political, ecological, moral, legal, and cultural factors effecting the area, it’s population and it’s levels of creativity? • How and what can Global ARTery and it’s partner offer in terms of mental health support, creativity AND sustainability?
  • Identification of Local Resources • What resources are currently in place that could be utilized and leveraged? How difficult or easy is it to use these resources? What gaps might need to be filled? How can the community fill in these gaps themselves?
    Once all of these factors have been evaluated, a relevant and applicable program can be implemented that is effective and self sustaining.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRAINING

Global ARTery believes that art can not only offer people a chance at expression but can literally transform lives to provide individuals a source of much needed income.  Through the use of skill building to expose individuals to the world of small business, we encourage the promotion of their creativity, innovation, critical thinking, and problem-solving. We believe the lessons of entrepreneurship will inspire individuals to take initiative and implement their innovative ideas within their sphere of influence, to dream beyond their current environments, and to gain full confidence in their own abilities and creativity. Global ARTery provides entrepreneurship training as well as a shop on our website for individuals to market their wares. The majority of the proceeds from these sales go directly back to the individual to help them make necessary and viable changes in their lives. All through the use of their heART and creativity.

ART THERAPY WORKSHOPS

Global ARTery ARTisans create workshops that are tailored to meet the needs of many populations having successfully completed programs in Haiti, the Philippines, Kenya and Uganda.  Cultural sensitivity and access are always considered when developing a programs. Topics in previous workshops have included:

  • Brief History of Art Therapy: “Art IN therapy v.s. Art AS therapy”
  • Art and the Brain : “How does creativity affect the brain and how can it help the traumatized clients you work with?”
  • Art Applications : “How can I take what this client is saying and apply a creative intervention?”
  • Art Interpretation: “What do I see when I look at this work?”
  • Case Studies: “Let’s see this art therapy in action!”
  • AND Most Importantly…
  • Exploring Personal Creativity: “We can’t own something till we do it ourselves”.

Current Projects:

Click here to learn about our current ARTery: Orphan heART Project