Guided Imagery in Art Therapy
Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that utilizes creative expression as a means of communication and exploration of emotions, thoughts, and experiences. The client and therapist utilize different materials and techniques to help gain insight into feelings, improve self-awareness, develop coping skills, and facilitate personal growth and healing. There are actually many different ways art therapy can be utilized in session with a client and for this post I will be explaining the ways in which guided imagery can be brought into an art therapy session with a client.
Using Guided Imagery in a Therapeutic Space
In art therapy, guided imagery is a technique in which a person, with their therapist, visualizes images or scenarios in their mind and body. During guided imagery, a person uses all their senses to dive into their inner space along with some breathwork to promote relaxation. Some of the main ways guided imagery is used is to access and visualize different parts of themselves, promote relaxation, create a sense of safety, and provide the client with sense of control. It also helps one connect with an inner force that is clearly present but can be hard to visualize alone or without guidance. Overall, it utilizes the body, senses, and the mind to address a specific psychological need.
When using this in a session it uses a combination of breathwork, relaxation, and verbal guidance from the therapist to stimulate the mind and imagination through a combination of sensory experiences. Beginning with breathwork and tension releasing techniques can help the client overcome any resistance. I like to have them settle into their space and bring focus to any sounds and sensations in the room around them. I remind them that they are in complete control and can come back to this space at any time by grabbing on to those feelings/sensations around them. We then do some breathing together and release any tension in different parts of the body. After this, guided imagery will look different for each individual. The therapist could use a specific prompt or their own instinct to help the client access something specific, like connecting with the inner child, learning and understanding more about the different parts of themselves (aka the Internal Family Systems lens), checking in with physical symptoms the client has been holding in their body, examining different life paths, etc. The options are vast!
Guided imagery, as previously stated, can also be used to induce safety and relaxation by creating a safe space in the mind’s eye. It can help during periods of stress, regulate emotions, help control pain, and even as an intervention during cancer treatment to enhance the healing process. If the client is seeking something like this, I like to use nature as setting or as a symbol. It can also be important to check in with the client to see what they already know and use this as a baseline. Some clients gravitate towards nature, like I said, but some may feel relaxed by music, colors, elements in their room, etc., again the options are vast. After you receive this information you can again start with some breathwork and tension release and then guide them through some imagery depending on their needs. The client should pay close attention to what is coming forward for them and bring notice to the way their body relaxes into the imagery created by the therapist. If you are feeling stuck or have never done something like this you can utilize ready made prompts.
Guided Imagery and Art Therapy
Art therapy takes this a step further! After leading the client through guided imagery in their mind and body, I transition the client out and into the creative space. We come out of the guided imagery space by taking some more deep breaths and releasing any more tension that may have developed. I then ask the client to hold on to any symbols, colors, or images that might have come up. I let them know it is ok to take these things back to the art space with us and that it is safe to explore them. The client then comes back to the space and uses any materials to create an image. The client takes as much time as they need to make the drawing and then processes this, and the guided imagery session with the therapist. As an art therapist, I have been utilizing this quite a bit lately and have been lucky to witness how powerful this can be. It provides clients access with parts of themselves that have been hard to talk to and brings new and significant insight to the therapeutic space. It promotes compassion, makes space for vulnerability, and helps the client learn more about themselves. We often hold things in our bodies that don’t feel safe to come forward through talking because of how they have been shut down in the past. Guided imagery and art making gives them a new platform to surface and provides a sense of safety to the exploration process especially when it involves trauma or vulnerability.
Materials
When creating art I like to emphasize that the client can use whatever medium they feel will best convey what was visualized during the guided imagery session. Some people need to see their imagery in 3D form, touch it, and look at it from multiple perspectives. If this is the case I like to recommend clay or the creation of a diorama. If they saw mostly color and shape I like to suggest watercolor or acrylic paint, and if they saw something solid I like to reccmomend colored pencil, markers, or crayons. These suggestions could be helpful but I like to trust the clients instinct and give them complete control.
Benefits of Guided Imagery in Art Therapy
There are many benefits to utilizng guided imagery in art therapy including empowerment, control, and safety. Guided imagery offers clients a sense of control over their emotional landscape, especially when dealing with challenging memories, trauma, or vulnerability. Yes, unpredictable things might come froward but the client has the power to choose what to do with this image and even bring understanding to the feeling associated with it. Sometimes difficult things come forward but it can be a sign that our body is ready to process and handle it with care. It is also less intimidating than verbally contronting painful emotions. It gives us a deeper insight into why certain parts and emotions might be exiled and what they need to feel safe. Overall, if the client is open to it, guided imagery can be a really powerful and transformative tool, especially when the client wants to learn more about themselves.