“Magic Happens” Clay work by Maria McCarter                                                     “Free Like a Butterfly” Childlike fun process By Maria McCarter

What is Art Therapy?

The practice of art therapy works across health and medical fields and may incorporate clients' use of various visual art forms such as drawing, painting, sculpture and collage. Some art therapists also offer phototherapy, play and sand tray work.

Art therapy is a therapeutic and diagnostic tool where therapist and client/s develop a dynamic interpersonal relationship, with clear boundaries and goals. It differs from traditional art in that the emphasis is on the process of creating rather than on the end product.

Art therapy is a creative process, suitable for all ages, and particularly for those who may be experiencing life changes, trauma, illness or disabilities causing distress for the individual and for their family.
Art therapy works by contributing to changes in the client's inner world, and towards the development of a client's more integrated sense of self, with increased self awareness and acceptance. It is possible to use art-making as a means of self-discovery. You can de-stress and re-engage with life experiences in a creative and stimulating way. Many of us have trouble finding words that will express painful or difficult thoughts and feelings. For children, adolescents and adults, art therapy can be used to gain insight and contain, clarify, and put into externalized form, concerns and challenges such as:
•    Self-esteem, self-validation and self-awareness.
•    Discharge of angry, fearful or unpleasant feelings.
•    Depression and/or anxiety.
•    Grief, bereavement and loss issues.
•    Trauma and life stresses, PTSD.
•    Resolve major conflicts.
•    Body image/ self-image.
•    Cognitive impairment/reframing.
•    Developmental disabilities or delays.
•    Coping with serious illnesses and chronic pain.
•    Addiction.
•    Impulsivity, AD/HD.
•    Find a sense of well-being and sensory enjoyment.
Prior experience or skills in art-making are not required to engage in art therapy, which is about self-exploration and healing through learning how to find the metaphorical, visual and verbal associations contained in your artwork. It is not about making "good art." Using imaginative expression and a wide range of art materials, viewing and experiencing the art, it is possible to be guided through its creation and reviewing in a safe and non-judgmental environment.
What is an art therapist?
The role of the Art Therapist is to facilitate your journey of creative self-discovery and release. This is accomplished by the art therapist witnessing and guiding your awareness in identifying what requires attention in the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual areas of your life.
The benefits of art therapy:
•    Art can make the invisible (such as painful emotions and experiences) visible through external expression.
•    Experiences in art creation validate our connection to the whole of life, which increases self-esteem, self-validation, and self-awareness.
•    Encourages self-control through working with art materials.
•    Metaphorical language and story can emerge through the art, giving voice to that which is often difficult to express.
•    Emergent and re-occurring symbols bridge our conscious and unconscious awareness.
•    Discovery of one’s strengths and authenticity.
•    Learning the skill of self-observation through one’s art creations.
•    Art making engages the whole brain and can stimulate integration of cognitive, feeling and sensory processes.
•    Art and emotions are closely linked and therefore art-making can help to positively alter one's mood.
•    Energy and vitality can be increased by a visible expression of suppressed thoughts and memories.
•    Provides an experience of relaxation, reducing stress, anxiety and worry.
•    Art therapy offers a hands-on, active, fun, and productive form of therapy.
“Circle of Life” Mandala by Maria McCarter

“Mandalas are a great way to express yourself in a contained way,
to feel safe within the creative process.
Each time I look at this painting it reminds me to
reconnect with myself and what is important to me.”
(Maria McCarter)
Circle of Life is the first Mandala that Maria intentionally painted whilst studying at the Phoenix Institute in Victoria Australia for her Diploma in Art Therapy Transpersonal Counsilling in 2010.  
She wanted to create a personally significant artwork which she could display on the wall in a prominent position.  Maria wanted the work to contain and to be a reminder of some very deep symbolic references to her own life at that time, and also to ground the connection with a meaningful dream she experienced while working on the painting over a few days.
Maria says: “Circle of Life, for me, means just that –The swirls to me represent a chain of evolution and that life keeps on going.
The circles represent the magic that happens in everyday life and my motto in life has always been a bit like the saying “Magic happens” that you see on stickers from time to time. I like that with magic we can potentially re invent ourselves. We can create healing and see things differently if we just look at it differently.
The love hearts represents that with more love comes wealth and success and to prove what I believe and have squashed in the darker times of my own journey the proof came to me again with an email of the story about the three bearded men, one wealth, one success, one love who knocked on a couples door and said only one was allowed in and which one would they choose and to cut a long story short after  the couple discussed who to invite in they invited Love and with Love the other two also followed. Moral of the story…”Where there is love, there is success and wealth!” "And when I remember back in the past and in recent times when I look out for these symbols my life tend to be much more positive and I attract more positive people in my life around me."

“When I look at Circle of Life, I feel joyful and uplifted.  I am also reminded of the connection between the different aspects of my own life, and to approach them with joy and infuse them with a little bit of my own heart.” By Suzana Djilas-Gaal. (Suzanna is a published writer, professional artist, qualified classroom teacher and businesswoman.)

Maria will be available from April 2012 to facilitate group sessions and one on one sessions in  Victoria specializing in body image, grief and motivational self esteem issues. Maria is also available for interstate sessions upon request.

For more information visit our Art Therapy Services Page Here.

Has part of Maria's first year of her masters in Hollistic Counselling until April 2012  she invites volunteers that would like FREE counselling experience into the introduction of Art Therapy to contact her.

A phone interview to access the client is required and all enquiries will be referred if neccessary to our amazing network of talented counsellors that have studied through Phoenix Institute Victoria Australia. Email Maria with your enquiry