Art Therapy / Counseling
Art Therapy
Art therapy uses a combination of counseling techniques and the therapeutic art-making process to help individuals work through personal challenges. The process of making art, exploring the art visually, and exploring the art verbally with the art therapist to understand the meaning of the images created in session can improve and enhance the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of individuals.
Advantages of Art Therapy:
Art therapy provides alternative ways to express feelings through the use of both verbal communication and self expression through the art making process. Expressing feelings using only verbal communication can be difficult. Children and individuals with disabilities often cannot easily express themselves verbally and adults sometimes use language to distance themselves from emotions. The non-verbal use of art can break through obstacles and make verbal expression more accessible. The art making process can also be a more powerful form of communication than just words alone.
Art therapy is used to achieve the same goals as verbal counseling as well as improving fine motor skills, gross motor skills, sensory awareness, and body awareness.
Art therapy is for anyone of any age.
What to expect in art therapy?
The sessions will be similar to verbal counseling with the addition of art making and then processing the art making experience and the artwork. Depending on the needs and goals of each client, art making may be spontaneous or directives may be given by the art therapist. Once the art is complete, the client and art therapist will discuss the art to explore possible meanings of the images created. Further exploration and examination of the artwork as well as client thoughts, feelings, behavior, relationships, problems and goals will be used to aid in self exploration and to achieve each client’s goals.
Do you have to be an artist to benefit from art therapy?
You do not have to have any experience with art materials to benefit from art therapy. In art therapy the focus is on the art process instead of the product or artwork. The art process emphasizes the use of color, shapes, symbols, and images to reflect personal thoughts and feelings. There is no right or wrong way to make art. The therapist can aid with the exploration of unfamiliar art materials.
The following media may be used in art therapy sessions:
- Drawing: pencils, charcoal, pastels, chalk, markers
- Printmaking
- Painting: acrylic, watercolor, tempera
- Sculpture
- Collage
- Digital Photography
To discuss art therapy and to schedule an intake session, please contact Elizabeth Beu Bourgeois at elizabeth@nolaarttherapy.com.
Open Studio Group
We are not providing groups at this time.
Open studio groups are based on the idea that creating art is a therapeutic process and can help express personal thoughts and feelings about what is going on in one’s life. The open studio group involves creating art in a safe and supportive environment, and then processing the thoughts and feelings that emerge from the art and the art making process by writing a reflection and/or sharing them with the group.
During open studios, basic art materials will be provided and each participant chooses their own materials as well as the content for their artwork. At the end of each session, all participants in the group will be able to take their therapeutic artwork home. There is an open studio group specifically for children as well as a separate group for adults.
Open studio groups meet for two hours. The group size depends on the number of people who want to participate each week. Some participants may come every week and others may only come to the group once. Individuals do not have to make a commitment to come every week, and new people may the group join at any time. There must be at least 3 people attending for the group to be held each week. Please RSVP one-week prior to reserve your time.
To discuss open studio groups and to RSVP, please contact Elizabeth Beu Bourgeois at elizabeth@nolaarttherapy.com.
Intake Session
A thorough intake session is used to begin the process of counseling and/or art therapy. The initial intake gathers information about the client and/or family, establishes goals, and starts the therapeutic relationship.
The following will be discussed:
- Client Information
- Reason for seeking counseling
- Presenting problems
- Goals
- Treatment plan
- Crisis plan
- Therapist practice and procedures
- Therapeutic process
- Relationship with therapist
- Art therapy and counseling techniques
- Art materials
- Family Information
- Family history
- Confidentiality
- Consent forms
- Payment information
- Insurance Information
- Client registration form
- Other necessary paperwork
Depending on the age and developmental level of individual clients, we may ask the caretaker to come into the office for the initial visit. After the intake session, a schedule will be set for meeting alone with the client for a set number of sessions. A schedule will also be created for meetings with the caretaker for updates on progress, discussing recommendations, and adjusting treatment plans and goals. Caretakers will also be able to request coordination of services with other professionals involved in the client’s services including medical doctors, psychiatrists, and teachers.
To schedule an intake session, please contact Elizabeth Beu Bourgeois at elizabeth@nolaarttherapy.com.
Individual Therapy Session
Individual therapy sessions involve meeting one-on-one with the therapist in a safe and supportive environment. The therapist will help you explore and examine your thoughts, feelings, behavior, relationships, problems, and goals verbally and/or with art materials. Through self exploration, a more positive mental health and emotional well-being can be obtained once you are able to work through your problems, develop positive thinking, express your feelings, resolve conflicts, and understand yourself and others better.
Depending on the age and developmental level of clients in individual therapy, we may ask the caretaker to come to the office with the client for each session to ensure client safety. For minors and dependent clients, meetings with the caretaker and therapist will be scheduled regularly for updates on progress, discussing recommendations, and adjusting treatment plans and goals. Caretakers will also be able to request coordination of services with other professionals involved in the client’s services including medical doctors, psychiatrists, and teachers.
After the final therapy session, the therapeutic artwork created may be taken home.
To discuss individual therapy and to schedule an intake session, please contact Elizabeth Beu Bourgeois at elizabeth@nolaarttherapy.com.
Family Therapy
Family therapy focuses on relationships within the family unit. This type of therapy occurs with some or all family members present for the sessions. Family therapy may be the main focus of treatment or it may be used to supplement individual therapy. Family therapy looks at the family system and how it functions as a whole unit. Family dynamics will be explored verbally and/or with art materials to help the family develop into a stronger and healthier unit.
Each family will create goals with the help of the therapist. These goals may include working on positive and clear communication, problem solving skills, expressing feelings appropriately, developing healthy coping skills, parenting skills, establishing boundaries, creating behavior plans, and understanding and using positive reinforcement.
During a family therapy intake session, each family member will have the opportunity to describe issues bringing the family to therapy.
After the final family therapy session, the therapeutic artwork created may be taken home.
To discuss family therapy and to schedule an intake session, please contact Elizabeth Beu Bourgeois at elizabeth@nolaarttherapy.com.
Telehealth
We offer Telehealth services using HIPAA compliant software. A phone call is the most reliable backup option in case of technological failure. We review Telehealth policies and procedures as well as provide a Declaration of Practices specific to Telehealth services. Telehealth sessions are very similar to in- person sessions. Art therapy services can be provided via Telehealth.
To discuss Telehealth services and to schedule an intake session, please contact Elizabeth Beu Bourgeois at elizabeth@nolaarttherapy.com.
Phone consultations
We offer a free ten minute phone consultation to discuss how we may be able to help you, your child, and/or your family. During the phone consultation, we will ask you to briefly explain the reasons you are seeking therapy and the goals you would like to work toward. This will help us develop a better understanding of what you may be going through. We may ask questions, give feedback, and discuss how we would work together during therapy. You would also be able to ask us any questions you have about therapy.
To discuss if an initial phone consultation is needed, please contact Elizabeth Beu Bourgeois at elizabeth@nolaarttherapy.com.
Art Therapy Supervision
Art therapy supervision is available for professionals who have completed their master’s degree in art therapy and who are attaining hours towards their registration as an art therapist (ATR) according to the standards of the Art Therapy Credentialing Board (ATCB). Please contact Elizabeth Beu Bourgeois to arrange appointments and to discuss the supervision fee. Group supervision may also be available.
To discuss art therapy supervision, please contact Elizabeth Beu Bourgeois at elizabeth@nolaarttherapy.com.