| Many people have considered writing as a form of | | | | large strokes and make use of shading and tone to |
| therapy but this creative based Counseling need not | | | | make your drawing come to life. Be imaginative, be |
| be limited to writing, therapy for artists can come in | | | | relaxed. Do not worry about technique or the end |
| the form of pencil drawing, as it has wonderful | | | | result. Just enjoy the feeling of drawing as a release. |
| therapeutic qualities which can help free up the mind | | | | Once you have finished, stand back and view the |
| and help to relax the body. | | | | picture. You may not be satisfied with the drawing |
| If you are feeling particularly stressed or under | | | | but do not view the drawing in a negative way. Your |
| pressure in your life, then finding ten minutes of | | | | goal was to release your inner demons and not |
| spare time to get your emotions out onto paper is a | | | | worry about technique. Do consider how you feel |
| really beneficial practice. | | | | however; is it a relief to have transferred your |
| Take a large sheet of paper and lay the paper flat | | | | thoughts across to paper? |
| on a large table and then close your eyes for a | | | | Art as therapy works extremely well for: |
| moment. If you are particularly stressed, the moment | | | | * Anxieties |
| you close your eyes you may get a jumble of | | | | * Nightmares |
| thoughts cascading through your mind. Try to focus | | | | * Grief |
| on some of the thoughts or feelings, so that you can | | | | * Teenage traumas such as broken hearts |
| identify exactly what you are seeing. | | | | * Young children who become introverted. |
| Allow you mind to conjure up images that are | | | | * Stress Relief |
| connected to your emotions. This works equally well | | | | * Relaxation purposes |
| if you have been experiencing nightmares related to | | | | * It also works well for those who want to know |
| your emotional state for example. Drawing your | | | | more about themselves or each other in group |
| greatest concerns or problems, is a wonderful way | | | | settings. |
| of getting the anxieties or pressure out of your mind | | | | Anytime you feel any inhibitions or feel the need to |
| and out onto paper where it becomes a much less | | | | release any inner fears, repeat the process and |
| scary prospect. | | | | marvel at how art can make you feel so much |
| When using pencil drawing for therapeutic purposes, | | | | better. |
| use freehand to draw right across the paper. Use | | | | |