If you are navigating a separation or a divorce with a former partner, chances are that you are not only dealing with the change for yourself, but you may be supporting your children through this process as well. There may be financial changes or strains, different living arrangements, time shared between parents, or a shift from a double parent to a single parent household. This can mean all kinds of changes for both you and your kids. There is so much to take care of and to think about, on top of your own emotions in connection with what’s happening.  Understandably so, it may feel overwhelming to know where to start in emotionally supporting your children through this transition.

Today we want to say thank you to parents, caregivers, friends, or supporters of clients attending art therapy. You are an incredibly important piece of the puzzle for the work we do at Art as Therapy. Through the roles that you play in our clients’ lives, you directly or indirectly support the process of art therapy in many ways. This may mean that you provide transportation, childcare, reminders about appointments, or even consent for clients to attend. While we may sometimes only be aware of the physical ways in which you offer your support, we imagine that you also support our clients emotionally.

If you’re reading this post, chances are that you are new to the world of art therapy. Whether you’re looking into it for yourself, a child or family member, a friend, or for someone you work with, the idea of starting therapy can sometimes seem overwhelming.

Recently I was reminded of the children’s game “broken telephone.” As I reflected on the humorous possibilities of the game through a playful illustration, I was struck by the importance of listening for effective communication. With hand held devices and social media, we claim to be more connected than ever. Despite our many advances in technology, we still can’t know what someone else thinks or how they feel without listening to them. Without listening, an intended message can become distorted and misinterpreted, and this can cause disconnection and conflict in relationships.

Your child arrives home from school and proudly presents you with a painting he or she made at school. You are overjoyed to see what they have made, but what happens next? Today we’re exploring how we can talk to people about their artwork in ways that empower them to share what’s on their minds.

June 20 marked the first official day of summer, and this week schools will be wrapping up for the year. Elementary school students are emptying their desks as high school students have already finished writing their final exams. There seems to be energy in the air – part excitement, part anticipation, and part… anxiety.

This summer, Art as Therapy is offering an exciting series of workshops designed to build self-esteem and capacity in a small group setting. Each workshop will take place at the Orangeville office on Thursday mornings from 9:30am-12:00pm. Each Workshop costs $60.00 per participant. All art materials will be provided, and no artistic talent or experience is needed. Join us for one workshop or attend them all! There are only a few spots remaining so to register please email info@artastherapy.ca or call 905 783 5939.

As school is winding down for the year, you may be thinking about goals for summer vacation. Today we’re suggesting one simple thing: reading stories with your kids! Even if you are not a parent, chances are that there are some special kids in your life – perhaps nieces, nephews or family friends – who would love to read a book with you.

At Art as Therapy we believe that all people have strengths and possess inner power that we can use to accomplish goals, experience success, and engage with others in healthy and creative ways. Sometimes in the midst of struggles or just the busyness of everyday life we can forget about our inner power, or lose sight of it in others.  Art and play require creative problem solving and provide opportunities for us to exercise our unique strengths and tap into our inner power. Today we’re sharing five creative ways that you can have fun with your family and at the same time discover the everyday superpowers that exist within each person.

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 COLOR!