Parenting Support
Rapinder Kaur
Virtual Art Therapy Benefits for Teens
Virtual Art Therapy Benefits for Teens
Rapinder Kaur
Strategies on Reducing Anxiety around Bedtime
Strategies on Reducing Anxiety around Bedtime
Rapinder Kaur
Reframing Difficult Behaviours

Educational consultant Michael Reist makes the argument that difficult children grow up to be interesting adults. He looks at challenging traits in children and considers how these will serve them as adults. For example, an argumentative child has strong verbal communication skills, is passionate, and is intelligent. A disorganized child is more interested in the big picture, a stubborn child is able to set goals and work towards them, a child who doesn’t listen is able to tune out distractions and focus on a single task, and a defiant child is confident enough to stand up to authority figures. These are traits we often encourage or even try to develop in adolescents and young adults. 

Reframing Difficult Behaviours
Rapinder Kaur
7 Simple Ways to Keep Peace During the ...
7 Simple Ways to Keep Peace During the Christmas Season
Art Therapy
Rapinder Kaur
The Power of Gratitude and 3 Creative Ways to ...

“Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of gratitude.” – A. A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh.

In recent years, scientific studies have shown that being thankful can improve our lives in all kinds of ways. According to this infographic created for the Huffington Post, cultivating an attitude of gratitude has physical, mental and psychological benefits (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/23/gratitude-effect-body_n_6510352.html). The infographic summarizes the results of studies suggesting that grateful people have lower blood pressure, smoke less tobacco, exercise more, take better care of their physical health, sleep better at night, and have lower levels of stress hormones such as cortisol. Studies suggest that being grateful improves self esteem, reduces the risk for major depression, reduces negative emotions like envy, and can increase empathy and resiliency even when we are faced with challenging or negative experiences. Gratitude is also strongly correlated with optimism, and increased optimism can improve immune system functioning and make us feel happier (http://happierhuman.com/benefits-of-gratitude/).

The Power of Gratitude and 3 Creative Ways to Practice It

Self Care: Luxury or Necessity?

Self Care: Luxury or Necessity?

“Self care is not about self-indulgence. It’s about self-preservation.” – Audrey Lorde

According to the World Health Organization, “Self care is what people do for themselves to establish and maintain health, and to prevent and deal with illness” (Geneva, 1998). Self care is a broad concept that includes any intentional actions people take to care for their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. It can encompass personal hygiene, nutrition, leisure and lifestyle activities, exercise, sleep, medical care, counseling, therapy, time with friends and family, meditation, or spiritual activities.

Time For Some Colour, Please!

Time For Some Colour, Please!

March is typically the time of year when we Canadians start woefully resenting winter and wishing desperately for spring. For many, the monotonous landscape of white and gray begins to take its toll on both mood and energy. We dread hearing snow in the forecast and grumble about shovelling the driveway again. But in reality, spring is still some time away. That’s why at Art as Therapy we are thinking about infusing the monotony of winter with some COLOUR!

Depression and the Mind-Body Connection

Depression and the Mind-Body Connection

At Art as Therapy we believe in a holistic approach to wellbeing. Our physical health affects our mental health, and vice versa. Factors such as healthy diet, exercise, sleep and play all influence our ability to feel and do our best in the world. In order to thrive, we need to take care of our minds and our bodies.

What is Art Therapy?

What is Art Therapy?

Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy which reconciles emotional conflicts and promotes personal growth. The essence of art therapy lies in the therapeutic outcome of the activity of creating something. ‘The process of art therapy is based on the recognition that man’s most fundamental thoughts and feelings, derived from the unconscious, reach expression in images rather than words’ (Naumberg 1958).

Benefits of Art Therapy

Benefits of Art Therapy
  • Art Therapy provides individuals with control over their communication, they can draw and share verbally what they wish; non-verbal communication is more comfortable than attempting to put ambivalent feelings into words.
  • Art Therapy can provide the client the feeling that they are speaking in their own voice in their art.
  • The clients Art is respected.
  • Art Therapy focuses on establishing trust and comfort with individuals, building a safe environment for them to express themselves in.
  • Art Therapy helps individuals develop better interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Art Therapy encourages them to feel respect for themselves as well as others.
  • Art Therapy allows individuals to problem solve through the advantage of externalizing their problems and taking a fresh view of them from a distance. They can experiment with change on the art product before they risk making a change in reality.
  • Use the art as a safe outlet for feelings such as fear, guilt, pain, rage, anger
  • Encourage them to think about their future and make informed decisions

Art as Therapy has moved!

By Rapinder Kaur

Art as Therapy Treatment Clinic has moved to 15 Elizabeth Street Orangeville suite M18. To celebrate a re-grand opening open house is taking place on Tuesday June 19th, 2012 between 11am and 6pm. Pop in for art making, refreshments and more! The event is open for all. Art Therapy is a form of psychotherapy which uses simple art materials allowing the individual to freely express, explore and resolve complex feelings and emotions. Art as Therapy’s strength based approach focuses on helping the client to build the tools and capacity to cope and tolerate difficult feelings and circumstances. They work with children, teens and families who are dealing with emotional, behavioral or mental health concerns including but not limited to: Anxiety, ADHD, Autism/Aspergers, Depression, Anger, Trauma, Attachment, Loss, separation, Divorce, Grief, Learning difficulties & Low self esteem. Their therapists provide support in a warm, caring and confidential environment. For more information the open house and or services offered please email info@artastherapy.ca, or call 905 783 5939. You can also visit www.artastherapy.ca.

School Anxiety

School Anxiety

It is that time of year again when children (and parents) may be feeling anxious about going back to school. School can be for some children a terrifying place. Not knowing what is expected, seeing new faces, trying to “fit in” with their peers together with the pressures of school work can all add up to be a very stressful experience.  Anxiety is described as a state of uneasiness and apprehension and is experienced emotionally and physiologically.  Parents may feel the urge to go in and fix the “problem”. But sometimes just being present, available and providing a listening ear along with a big hug is all that the child needs.

Art making ideas for non-art therapy settings

Art making ideas for non-art therapy settings

Implementing art directives without the therapist having appropriate training in a therapy session has some risks involved. In directive art therapy, there is a tendency to uncover too rapidly powerful feelings that may be difficult to contain and understand by both the client and therapist. Knowing when to expose the client to the arousal and the rawness of the emotions is critical. It is risky to expose the client to intense emotional material or memories before the necessary preparatory work has been completed. Such negative reactions may include a psychotic break, or a need for hospitalization.

Therapeutic art arrives in Dufferin

Therapeutic art arrives in Dufferin

Those walking into Rapinder Kaur’s office in the Harmony Health Clinic for the first time might think they’ve accidentally stepped into an artist’s studio. After all it’s stocked with paintbrushes, paint, markers and playdough. That’s because, while she’s not an artist, those tools are central to Kaur’s work as a registered art therapist.