Art Therapy 

   We may at times find ourselves struggling to solve personal problems only to return to the same frustrating experience of being blocked in pursuit of our goal.  It can be helpful at these times to learn how to tap into our own creative process, as a source of shedding new light on a seemingly unsolvable problem.     

     Dr. McSweeney offers Art Therapy as an alternative to traditional talk therapy because it provides access to the creative unconscious.  In Art Therapy, an individual learns how to explore a problem or conflict situation by using an art medium, such as drawing, painting, clay, poetry, music, or dance, or by working with mental imagery that emerges from a relaxed state of awareness.  These creative modalities can have a freeing effect on logical thinking patterns, and can be helpful in problem solving.

   The creative arts therapies can be useful in working with medical problems, such as exploring and releasing conflict situations related to medical conditions, or creating a mental image of the healing process. 

   Clients do not need prior training in the arts.  Art is a freeing means of connecting with one's own creative process, regardless of skill or quality of the product.  It can pleasurably promote problem solving.