From the birth of human existence, we have possessed a unique ability to understand and transform our inner experiences through the creation of art. Long before verbal language was introduced, our earliest ancestors communicated through visual symbols. Hundreds of thousands of years later the arts continue to engage our mind, body, and spirit in ways that are distinct from verbal articulation alone. Kinesthetic, sensory, perceptual, and symbolic opportunities invite alternative modes of receptive and expressive communication, which can circumvent the limitations of spoken language.

Through art, we have a unique opportunity to express emotions while practicing the regulation of affect and reconditioning our reactions. Our experiences with making art provide us with rich, stimulus-based feedback that link expressions of conscious and unconscious choices. This process affirms our ability to express internal conditions while reinforcing their presence, and increasing our confidence in predicting outcomes.

Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses art media as its primary mode of expression and communication. Within this context, art is not used as a diagnostic tool but as a medium to address and reduce emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual issues that may be confusing and distressing. Art therapy practices stimulate connections to and from cortical and subcortical brain regions. Frequently engaged, these regions may be tested, tuned, and strengthened. These repeated experiences rewire the brain and recondition traumatic residues and maladaptive emotional responses.

In the brain, affect regulation is a functional expression of connectivity between subcortical, limbic, and cortical brain activity. The circuitry of the brain integrates limbic, bottom-up expression and cortical top-down regulation of affect. During the art process colors and textures easily arouse affectively laden limbic memories while providing an opportunity to express, understand and integrate emotional reactions. Thus giving us the space to practice emotional expression, while regulating and reconditioning affect, and reconstructing our traumatic life experiences.

Ready to start your journey to better health and wellbeing? Creative Health offers a range of personalized services and support to help you achieve your goals, from therapy and coaching to nutrition and wellness programs.