→ Do you watch reels and videos of people painting, sketching, doodling, drawing NeuroGraphica or hand-lettering?
→ Are you feeling stuck, unmotivated, processing loss, or recovering from illness?
→ Do you read about all the benefits of mindfulness and art-making and wish you had a way to maintain a regular practice of your own?
If you answered 'yes' to any of these questions, working with a Mindful Arts Specialist may be right for you.
What is a Mindful Arts Specialist?
A Mindful Arts Specialist, also referred to as a Mindful Arts Coach, Integrative Creativity Specialist or Expressive or Therapeutic Arts Facilitator is a professional trained in art-based modalities where the magic is in the creative process rather than the outcome. Using various media like drawing, painting, art journaling, dance, sculpture, music, or poetry, the Mindful Arts Specialist encourages a focus on the process for joy, self-discovery, and healing. You will be amazed at the empowering life lessons that just show up when we are just making marks. If you’re ready to stop reading because you are not artistic, don’t let the word “arts” scare you - no experience is required!
Working one-on-one or in small groups, the Mindful Arts Specialist focuses on the creative process in a a safe, non-judgmental space From this space, the Specialist encourages the client on their creative journey, inviting spontaneous and intuitive mark-making, or other forms of self-expression. During each session, the Mindful Arts Specialist witnesses progress, invites contemplation and reflection from the client, and maintains openness through curiosity and free-flowing dialogue.
Clients are, in turn, encouraged to freely express thoughts, feelings and emotions as they relate to and reflect on their creative self-expression. Focusing on the process rather than the outcome can help encourage creativity as no one will be evaluating or analyzing the end product. The creative journey then becomes one of freedom, curiosity, self-exploration and discovery, knowing there is no “wrong” way. When paired well, the duo create the ideal circumstances for clients' innate creativity, insight, personal growth, and joy to flourish.
What are the benefits to these creative discovery sessions?
Literature shows many benefits to being creative and integrating the arts into your overall well-being and self-care routine.
The Foundation for Art and Healing shares on the “Science of Creativity” that, “Creative expression also has the power to improve wellbeing by helping us understand ourselves and shifting perspectives that reinforce positive behaviors. Physiologically, making art has powerful effects on our bodies: reducing blood pressure, bolstering our immune system, improving brain cognition, and fighting inflammation.”
The World Health Organization considers the arts a contributor to “core determinants of health…helping to prevent the onset of mental illness and age-related physical decline; supporting the treatment or management of mental illness, noncommunicable diseases and neurological disorders; and assisting in acute and end-of-life care.
Researchers found evidence that engagement with artistic activities, either as an observer… or as an initiator…can enhance one's moods, emotions, and other psychological states, reduce stress and depression and alleviate the burden of chronic disease.
In a study with nursing home residents and care providers, researchers found that art activities were able to support personal growth, symptom alleviation, and communication as well as collaboration between patients, near-ones and healthcare providers. They concluded that art activities should be considered an essential part of nursing care, nursing education and self-care for healthcare personnel.
Can’t I just do this on my own?
Absolutely! Being creative in any format, with any tools and in any space has the power to be a stress-relieving and enjoyable form of self-care. An important point of reflection to consider is how you’ve implemented new habits in the past. Were you able to create lasting behavior change on your own, or have you struggled to make new things stick? Having someone to check in with for accountability, who can gently guide you through the transformative power of the creative process in a non-clinical setting might help you build the habit more easily and take your practice to the next level.
Ready to find the right Mindful Arts Specialist for you?
Here are a few important things to keep in mind:
1) Narrow Your Search Criteria:
This work can be done in person or online. Decide which you feel most comfortable with, as geography may limit your search parameters.
Ideally you have decided what you’d like to work on or through so you can connect with a facilitator who specializes in that field.
Consider what medium you’re comfortable with and/or want to explore. Music, dance, painting, sculpture, drawing, collage, art journaling, or poetry can be used to express oneself. Knowing what modality you’d like to work with can be helpful in selecting a Facilitator but you don't have to know. In fact, perhaps you don't want to pick a Facilitator with a specialty in one modality over another so you will have more opportunity for experimentation.
2) Determine your Goals:
Having a clear focus can aid in both of you working toward a goal and feeling successful. Goals for your session could be one of the things listed below, though again, you do not have to have a clear idea in order to get started.
managing stress
befriending the committee in your head: self-worth & self-compassion
navigating life's transitions (i.e. big birthdays, empty nesting, divorce)
learning to live your most authentic life
coping with illness or disease
discovering your true purpose
3) Find the Right Practitioner:
When considering creative discovery sessions, finding the right person to work with can make all the difference. Once you find someone ask if they will do a free Discovery Call. Most professionals will meet with you at no charge to see if it is a good fit on both fronts.
Consider preparing questions before a Discovery Call. There are a number of examples below to get you thinking about what is most important to you.
Ask about their process and methodology, and how sessions typically go.
Ask about what mediums this person is working with and if they specifically work with the medium you’re interested in exploring (dance, music, poetry, painting, collage).
Ask who they typically work with, or if they have a type of audience they specialize in (i.e. new moms, empty nesters, cancer survivors, LGBTQIA2S+ to name a few)
Ask how the facilitator establishes safe, non-judgmental space and invites inquiry in order for you to do your deeper work.
Ask about a timeframe that their clients typically book (3 sessions, 5 sessions, 10 sessions?) and then take a look at your calendar to make sure you have that time to give to this work.
Find out if there is a savings if you book multiple sessions.
Know if you would rather work in a small group over individual sessions, ask if the facilitator will curate the group or if you can get some of your friends to join you for a few small group sessions.
If interested, you could find out if the Specialist offers the ability to measure progress. This could be as simple as journaling prompts or more specific like self-reporting tools that track trait mindfulness, mental wellbeing, stress, anxiety or depression to name a few.
Are you currently working with a therapist? If interested, you could find out if the Specialist would want to connect with your therapist before working with you or during the process to ensure you’re both working together toward the same goal. This, of course, could only be done with your permission and a signed release.
Disclaimer: The services described above are not conducted by a licensed therapist and are not intended to take the place of services from a mental health clinician.
Here at A Mindful Line, we believe in the power of getting present and looking inward. It is in this space that clients nourish themselves, develop/deepen their mindfulness practice and unlock the door to all the creativity, joy and answers that live inside. This is art for the making not the masterpiece. Learn more about Vanessa, our approach, or book your discovery call with Vanessa today.
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