Art Therapy and Eating Disorders

A helpful perspective

Whenever we struggle with an ongoing issue, in truth, it is actually 'life' nudging and helping us to grow and evolve.  Contrary to what consumerism tells us, all of us are exactly where we need to be right now and our struggles indicate that we are emerging from a cocoon that no longer serves us.  It is a time of renewal.  There is no where else anyone can be but exactly where they are right now.  Welcome!

Art Therapy is about reclaiming your true self, your innate beauty
and your powerful connection to Source.

Who is this for?

Eating disorders are generally characterised by excessive concerns about body shape and weight, leading to harmful weight control behaviours. 

My support in this area will suit anyone who is struggling with any of the following....

• disordered eating
• body image issues
• unhealthy dieting

• clinical eating disorders

...OR those who feel they will benefit from growth in any of the 7 areas below.

Art Therapy for eating disorders focuses on 7 key areas needed to shed the old cocoon and strengthen your wings. The structure below is entirely flexible as everyone's journey is unique.

• Centering in awareness and your true self
• Understanding the eating disorder/disordered eating
• Skills for solving the problems
• Understanding and reclaiming emotions
• Healing body image issues
• Finding self acceptance

• Developing spiritual connection
  

How does the art therapy happen?

Each area above has a range of art therapy processes to engage with and each is a process of exploration and self-realisation which enables you to evolve.  Every process of exploration (shedding) is followed by a secondary process of responding (renewal) to claim the power in what was realised or gained from the first.

What if I'm not good at art?

You do not need to be good at art, in fact it's better if you are not because then you bring a childlike quality to your art and the symbolic message will be clearer as opposed to art that's main focus is to look 'beautiful'.  Each process has a specific focus for the 'art' with clear and simple guidelines.

It is not how the art looks that matters,
but what it is telling you about your experience.

What art materials are used?

A range of easy, 'no rules', mixed media (art materials) are used; collage with glue sticks and magazine images and coloured tissue paper, water colour washes, oil pastels (as in the drawing above), finer detail can be added with coloured gel pens, textas or coloured pencils, clay for sculpting and acrylic paint for ink blot pictures.

And lastly! There's opportunity to start your own visual arts diary if you choose to.  Additional suggestions can be given at the end of each session for further self-expression to be done at home.

Namaste
Tanya