About Art Therapy
Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that utilises the creative process of making art to promote emotional, psychological, and social well-being. In this therapeutic approach, individuals, under the guidance of a trained Art Therapist, use various art materials and techniques to express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. The art-making process serves as a means of communication, providing a non-verbal outlet for self-expression and exploration.
Art therapy is grounded in the belief that engaging in artistic activities can foster personal growth, improve self-esteem, and enhance mental health. It is employed in diverse settings, including mental health clinics, schools, hospitals, and community centers, addressing a wide range of issues such as stress, trauma, emotional challenges, and interpersonal difficulties. The goal of art therapy is to help individuals gain insight into their emotions, improve coping mechanisms, and promote overall well-being through the creative act of making art.Engaging in creative art-making is like giving a voice to parts of ourselves we may have overlooked. It’s a process that helps us accept and understand who we are. By expressing the symbolic aspects of the self through art, we open a door to self-discovery. Exploring the meaning behind these symbols allows us to witness change and transformation, shaping our self-concept along the way. It’s like embracing a colorful journey of self-acceptance.
Art therapy is grounded in the belief that engaging in artistic activities can foster personal growth, improve self-esteem, and enhance mental health. It is employed in diverse settings, including mental health clinics, schools, hospitals, and community centers, addressing a wide range of issues such as stress, trauma, emotional challenges, and interpersonal difficulties. The goal of art therapy is to help individuals gain insight into their emotions, improve coping mechanisms, and promote overall well-being through the creative act of making art.
Engaging in creative art-making is like giving a voice to parts of ourselves we may have overlooked. It’s a process that helps us accept and understand who we are. By expressing the symbolic aspects of the self through art, we open a door to self-discovery. Exploring the meaning behind these symbols allows us to witness change and transformation, shaping our self-concept along the way. It’s like embracing a colorful journey of self-acceptance.
Leigh-Anne Alexander
BA (Psych & Rel. Stud.) (UCT). Hons (Psych) (Stellenbosch).
Hons (Art Therapy) (UJ). MA (Art Therapy) (UJ)
HPCSA Reg Nr: AT00019202
Practice Number: 1155946
Hi, I’m Leigh-Anne Alexander, a qualified Art Therapist based in the Helderberg area. I hold a Master’s degree in Art Therapy from the University of Johannesburg. I am a registered Art therapist with the Health Care Professions Council and a member of the South African National Arts Therapies Association.
My educational journey started with Psychology and Religious Studies at the University of Cape Town, followed by an Honours degree in Psychology from Stellenbosch University. Further specializing in Art Therapy, through the University of Johannesburg, which has shaped me into a well-rounded therapist.
My approach is all about empathy and a non-judgmental atmosphere that encourages self-expression and exploration. I work with diverse groups, from children to adults, in individual and group settings. I’ve facilitated group art therapy in addiction recovery centers, held sessions for children and adults in community settings, and worked with adolescents in public psychiatric hospitals.
I believe in the power of the therapeutic relationship, emphasizing attunement and warmth in my practice. Creating meaningful connections and facilitating personal growth is what drives me in the field of art therapy.
Beyond my professional life, I’m a mom who enjoys drinking coffee, cooking delicious food, playing hockey, and creating art. My personality is bubbly, friendly, and warm, and I find joy in incorporating play into the psychotherapeutic process. Art therapy isn’t just a profession for me; it’s a passion that brings creativity and play into the journey of healing.
