Can you look at my art and figure me out?
Common art therapy misconception: as an art therapist, I can analyse your drawings and figure you out. Honestly that sounds kind of creepy.
Also, nope. Not true.
The reason why I can't look at something you drew and see into your psyche is because your creative process is unique to you. The colours you choose, the way you express yourself on the page, the images you create relate specifically to your thoughts, beliefs, emotions, dreams, fears, trauma, lived experiences, etc.
You might see a page full of black as the scary place where nightmares live.
I might see a page full of black as a place of quiet and comfort where I can rest.
Someone else might see a page full of black because none of the other pens were working so black was all they had.
I'm not you, and not living in your head, so unless I ask you (which I probably will) I have no way of knowing what your image means to you. But while I can't look at your art and see into the murky (or sparkling - no idea, can't see them) depths of your soul, I can help you figure yourself out through art.
How?
Through being there with you while you figure out what it means to you. Asking questions, making suggestions, inviting you to do weird things like imagine your artwork was its own person, a third person in our dialogue (trialogue), seeing what it might have to tell you.
I can guide, suggest, be curious, reflect, offer, protect, invite, support, encourage, celebrate, care, and do lots of other things while you get creative with the art that you've created. It never ceases to amaze me how much meaning can be found in the images we create. If we know how to look, they are mirrors - often of parts of us we don't see, showing us who we are, what we care about, where we might want to go next.
So no, I can't look at your images and analyse you into a neat little box, but I can help you look in the mirror of your artwork and find your own meaning in what you see.
If you're curious about this, get in touch - I offer 1:1 art therapy over Zoom, or you're very welcome to come along to the online art group I co-facilitate with my good friend and art therapist colleague Rose. We explore a different art process each time and it's a lovely community of friendly creative people.