Written by: Rebecca Jones, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Recently I worked with and completed a project with world renowned Art Therapist Pamela Hayes. Based in Los Angeles, California, like me, Pamela is also a trained Hypnotherapist and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT).
With her background in Hypnotherapy I was eager to work together and complete this project in Art Therapy. I wanted to see how together we could incorporate and marry these two therapeutic disciplines together, without taking away any of the strengths of either therapy, whilst at the same time creating a Superpower technique that incorporates the very best of both.
Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses art media as its primary mode of expression and communication. Within this context, art is not used as a diagnostic tool but as a medium to address emotional issues which may be confusing and distressing.
Art therapists work with children, young people, adults and the elderly. Clients may have a wide range of difficulties, disabilities or diagnoses. These include emotional, behavioural or mental health problems, learning or physical disabilities, life-limiting conditions, neurological conditions and physical illnesses.
Art therapy is a technique rooted in the idea that creative expression can foster healing and mental well-being.
People have been relying on the arts for communication, self-expression, and healing for thousands of years. But art therapy didn't start to become a formal program until the 1940s.
Different people will have different experiences of arts and creative therapies, but in general they aim to:
allow you to communicate thoughts and feelings that you find difficult to put into words
help you make sense of things and understand yourself better
give you a safe time and place with someone who won't judge you
help you find new ways to look at problems or difficult situations
help you to talk about complicated feelings or difficult experiences
give you a chance to connect with other people.
For thousands of years, cultures and religions around the world have incorporated the use of carved idols and charms, as well as sacred paintings and symbols, in the healing process. The establishment of art therapy as a unique and publicly accepted therapeutic approach only took place recently, in the mid-20th century. The emergence of art therapy as a profession arose independently and simultaneously in the United States and Europe.
The term “art therapy” was coined in 1942 by British artist Adrian Hill, who discovered the healthful benefits of painting and drawing while recovering from tuberculosis.
Margaret Naumburg, Hanna Kwaitkowska, Florence Cane, Edith Kramer, and Elinor Ulman were five influential writers of the 1940s who made significant contributions towards the development of art therapy as a recognised field.
Margaret Naumberg (May 14, 1890 – February 26, 1983) was an American psychologist, educator, artist, author and among the first major theoreticians of art therapy. Prior to working in art therapy, she founded the Walden School of New York City.
Hanna Kwaitkowska was a Polish ceramics sculptress, art therapist, and child and family psychiatrist. She was the first person to document and conduct research in family art therapy practices.
Florence Cane (September 28, 1882 – 1952) was a notable American art educator whose ideas influenced the field of art therapy.
Edith Kramer (1916–2014) was an Austrian social realist painter, a follower of psychoanalytic theory and an art therapy pioneer.
Elinor Ulman taught in the Art Therapy Program from 1971 to 1988 and was an honorary life member of the American Art Therapy Association. She was the founder, editor and publisher of The Bulletin of Art Therapy (now The American Journal of Art Therapy).
Art therapy involves the use of creative techniques such as drawing, painting, collage, colouring, or sculpting to help people express themselves artistically and examine the psychological and emotional undertones in their art. Clients can "decode" the nonverbal messages, symbols, and metaphors often found in these art forms, which should lead to a better understanding of their feelings and behaviour so they can move on to resolve deeper issues.
Clinical Hypnotherapy is the use of hypnosis for the treatment and alleviation of a variety of physical and psychological symptoms. Hypnosis allows the subject to experience deep levels of relaxation and altered states. And so helps to reduce levels of stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, eating disorders, addiction, chronic pain, self-harm and suicidal tendencies.
Combining the two therapies is an exciting new project that I am working on, using Art Therapy Interventions within Clinical Hypnotherapy sessions.
Working with Pamela, what soon became apparent was that both therapies; art therapy and clinical hypnotherapy, have intricate and delicate nuances and niches within them, separate to the other. And yet these differences lend themselves to spark and completely enhance the other.
For example, very often at the start of a hypnotherapy session the client is taken to a safe place using hypnosis. They are guided by the Hypnotherapist, under hypnosis, to their safe place. And then the client can return to this safe place at any moment during the session when they may feel the need to feel more secure, protected, and safe.
And in Art Therapy the client is asked to draw their safe place.
A perfect way to start a session using the best of both therapies is as follows:
The client draws a safe Place
Guided visualisation of the Safe Place, based on the client’s drawing
With the help of the hypnotherapist the client visits their Safe Place during Hypnosis
The client can then use all of these three techniques themselves, after the session, at home.
Many of the techniques can only be used with the help of and under the guidance of a well-qualified and experienced art therapist and / or Clinical Hypnotherapist.
However, some of the techniques used in therapy sessions can be used safely and simply by the client once they return home.
The Art Therapy & Clinical Hypnotherapy project is ongoing and I will be excited to share more with you at a later date...
In the meantime, get your crayons, paints, and colouring pencils at the ready!!
Have a go at drawing:
Your safe place
Your happy place
Your adventurous place
You can email me at info@paris-st-cloud.com or rebecca@harleystreettherapyclinic.com for more info. You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Read more from Rebecca!
Rebecca Jones, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Rebecca Jones (M.A. DipPCH) is a Clinical Hypnotherapist & Consultant (GHR, GHSC) (GQHP, MAC) and CEO/Founder of 'Paris St. Cloud' & 'The Empire State of Mind'
Initially trained by Dr. Richard Bandler and Paul McKenna, & now a much trusted & highly valued part of their team, Rebecca is a highly sought-after expert in her field. Rebecca is an inspirational therapist and consultant with her thriving practice in Harley Street London and a successful clinic on Deansgate in Manchester; Rebecca is an inspirational therapist & consultant.
An honoree of both the Global 500 Award, and also the CREA Global Awards, Rebecca received both these prestigious awards in recognition of her innovative ideas, resourcefulness, and her achievements and accomplishments in the areas of mental health and therapy work. Other award winners included the incredible global celebrity, Oprah Winfrey.
Rebecca works globally with clients across the world. Also, with a clinic on Fifth Avenue, NYC, USA, Rebecca works with International clients F2F and online virtually worldwide. ments and Government Officials, United Nations, British Council, OECD, Diplomats, Silicon Valley, and more.
Her latest book 'Source Your Inner Jet Pack: Rapid Transformations for Life's Jetsetters' is published, is out now, and is available here!
Rebecca has also been featured on the Brainz Podcast, being interviewed about her business, her therapy and hypnotherapy work, her clinic, and her consultancy practice.
The Podcast, titled "How to Focus and Protect Your Mind in 2022: Exclusive Interview with Rebecca Jones" can be found on iTunes, Apple, and Spotify.
Rebecca also featured on the front cover of Brainz Magazine, and also in an exclusive interview in the magazine where she describes her work with clients around the world, as well as her latest book which people can use to help themselves in the comfort of their own home.
During the COVID-19 Global Pandemic, Rebecca has donated her services freely to all doctors, nurses, and medical staff working in hospitals and ICU departments in hospitals worldwide.
Moreover, she has also been conducting her clinical research study and clinical trials to treat patients suffering from Long COVID.
There is no other such study taking place in the world. It is unique and one of a kind. It is the first of its kind globally and is at the forefront of therapy and innovation, described as a flagship and ground-breaking research study.
This has been followed by her uniquely devised therapeutic techniques and treatment plans for patients and clients and a series of workshops, seminars, and training programs for therapists, medical practitioners, doctors, and hypnotherapist.
Rebecca is now the CEO and Founder of the 'Long COVID Therapy Institute.'
During the pandemic and Lockdown, Rebecca has also provided additional Free Online services, including Free Coaching courses for 'Resilience and Wellbeing in Lockdown' and free services for NHS doctors and nurses in the UK.
Rebecca has also been interviewed for the media and radio about her business and her work.
As well as working with her private clients in the clinic, Rebecca also provides Corporate seminars, events, & training, as well as well-being sessions and Professional Development courses (CPD) for Businesses, Schools, Corporate, & other Groups.
Rebecca is also a professional trainer, training, qualifying, and certifying future Coaches, Mentors, Therapists, and Hypnotherapists.
Rebecca is a Guest speaker for public engagements, business events, charity dinners, and fundraisers, both in the UK and overseas.
Rebecca's unique clinical hypnotherapy and consultancy methods enable individuals, private and corporate clients alike, to build better lives, redesign their futures, and create personal freedom today!
