At Mildmay Mission Hospital, we're committed to providing the highest quality of care, encompassing medical treatment and emotional and psychological well-being. That's where art therapy comes in.
Led by our qualified Art Psychotherapist, Brita MacDonald, art therapy offers patients a unique and powerful tool for self-exploration and growth.
What is Art Therapy?
Art therapy goes beyond simply creating art. It's a guided process where you use various art materials to express yourself, explore emotions, and develop coping mechanisms.
Brita utilises a psychodynamic* approach combined with a person-centred and non-directive style. This means she creates a safe and confidential space for you to explore difficult thoughts and feelings through creativity.
Benefits of Art Therapy at Mildmay
Art therapy can offer a multitude of benefits for patients, including:
Understanding Emotional Conflicts: Art therapy can help you gain a deeper understanding of your emotions, allowing you to process them in a safe and healthy way
Developing Social Skills: The art therapy process can foster communication and connection with others, which can be especially helpful for those experiencing social isolation
Reducing Anxiety: Art therapy provides a healthy outlet for stress and anxiety, promoting relaxation and emotional well-being
Improving Self-Esteem: Creative expression can build confidence in your abilities and strengthen your sense of self.
Brita emphasises the importance of attachment, memory, and loss in the art therapy process. By exploring these themes through art, you can begin to make sense of past experiences and heal from emotional wounds.
This, in turn, can lead to a recalibration of your perspective on life, paving the way for a more positive and fulfilling future.
*Psychodynamic therapy focuses on unconscious processes as they are manifested in the client's present behaviour. The goals of psychodynamic therapy are client self-awareness and understanding of the influence of the past on present behaviour.