Psychology today therapist profiles
Health, Help, Happiness + Find Counselling UK
Depression
By Samuel L. Pauker, M.D., and Miriam Arond on October 23, 2022 in Depression: A Guide for the Perplexed
How to determine if a lack of interest and focus is due to depression or ADD.
How to determine if a lack of interest and focus is due to depression or ADD.
Health
By Gary Wenk Ph.D. on October 23, 2022 in Your Brain on Food
Women may benefit more from this ancient Aztec practice of “stacking” foods and drugs.
Women may benefit more from this ancient Aztec practice of “stacking” foods and drugs.
Therapy
By Elizabeth Ruegg LCSW on October 23, 2022 in Therapeutic Paws
Have you always wanted to know how to volunteer with your pup on a therapy dog team? Three steps will prepare you for the journey of a lifetime.
Have you always wanted to know how to volunteer with your pup on a therapy dog team? Three steps will prepare you for the journey of a lifetime.
Relationships
By Robert Taibbi L.C.S.W. on October 23, 2022 in Fixing Families
To avoid conflict, some couples never honestly say what they want. Over time this can lead to resentment and unfulfillment. Step up and speak up to get what's important.
To avoid conflict, some couples never honestly say what they want. Over time this can lead to resentment and unfulfillment. Step up and speak up to get what's important.
Therapy
By Ran D. Anbar M.D. on October 23, 2022 in Understanding Hypnosis
How can you discover the meaning of a nightmare?
How can you discover the meaning of a nightmare?
Law and Crime
By J. Reid Meloy Ph.D. on October 23, 2022 in The Forensic Files
Are there rules that guide threat assessment teams in high schools? There are now.
Are there rules that guide threat assessment teams in high schools? There are now.
Social Life
By Alexander Danvers Ph.D.
on October 23, 2022 in How Do You Know?
Researchers examined how Facebook's early rollout to colleges influenced mental health. What they found changes our understanding of what's harmful about social media.
Researchers examined how Facebook's early rollout to colleges influenced mental health. What they found changes our understanding of what's harmful about social media.
Law and Crime
By Ellen Kirschman Ph.D. on October 23, 2022 in Cop Doc
Asking cops to stay on the job for two to three decades can be a costly mistake. How can we help those who decide to transition to the civilian world?
Asking cops to stay on the job for two to three decades can be a costly mistake. How can we help those who decide to transition to the civilian world?
Sex
By Chelom E. Leavitt, J.D./Ph.D. on October 22, 2022 in Sexual Mindfulness
Here is a non-goal oriented perspective on orgasms that might actually increase orgasm consistency.
Here is a non-goal oriented perspective on orgasms that might actually increase orgasm consistency.
Animal Behavior
By Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on October 22, 2022 in Animal Emotions
A new forward-looking book moves conservation from anthropocentrism to the animals themselves and offers a passionate critique of the dark side of government-orchestrated killing.
A new forward-looking book moves conservation from anthropocentrism to the animals themselves and offers a passionate critique of the dark side of government-orchestrated killing.
Work
By Gleb Tsipursky Ph.D. on October 22, 2022 in Intentional Insights
While some headlines claim that a recession will mean the end of remote work, many companies will benefit by having most employees working remotely during an economic downturn.
While some headlines claim that a recession will mean the end of remote work, many companies will benefit by having most employees working remotely during an economic downturn.
Relationships
By Yvonne Castañeda, MSW, LICSW on October 22, 2022 in The Power of Parallels
Do you constantly find yourself in toxic relationships? Find out why this keeps happening.
Do you constantly find yourself in toxic relationships? Find out why this keeps happening.
Anxiety
By Liza Morton Ph.D. on October 22, 2022 in Psychologically Informed Medicine
How can we feel safe during these uncertain times?
How can we feel safe during these uncertain times?
Marriage
By Barbara Greenberg Ph.D. on October 22, 2022 in The Teen Doctor
There are ways to prepare for a second marriage.
There are ways to prepare for a second marriage.
Anxiety
By Dimitrios Tsatiris M.D. on October 22, 2022 in Anxiety in High-Achievers
Don’t allow work-related anxiety to spoil your precious weekends.
Don’t allow work-related anxiety to spoil your precious weekends.
Evolutionary Psychology
By Molly S. Castelloe Ph.D. on October 22, 2022 in The Me in We
Empathy is the midwife of healthy narcissism.
Empathy is the midwife of healthy narcissism.
Self-Help
By Diana Raab Ph.
D. on October 22, 2022 in The Empowerment Diary
From an early age, you might have been told to read more. Did you ever wonder about the benefits? Studies show reading contributes to well-being across the lifespan.
From an early age, you might have been told to read more. Did you ever wonder about the benefits? Studies show reading contributes to well-being across the lifespan.
Happiness
By Mark Travers Ph.D. on October 22, 2022 in Social Instincts
Peak experiences make for interesting stories, but living deliberately and curiously makes for an interesting life.
Peak experiences make for interesting stories, but living deliberately and curiously makes for an interesting life.
Relationships
By Susan Krauss Whitbourne Ph.D. on October 22, 2022 in Fulfillment at Any Age
People in long-term romantic relationships may not always be able to articulate the reasons that they love each other. New research takes a deep dive into these deep feelings.
People in long-term romantic relationships may not always be able to articulate the reasons that they love each other. New research takes a deep dive into these deep feelings.
Unconscious
By Ran D. Anbar M.D. on October 22, 2022 in Understanding Hypnosis
Exploration of your subconscious thoughts can lead to insights similar to those you can develop in discussions with a deeply knowledgeable and wise friend.
Exploration of your subconscious thoughts can lead to insights similar to those you can develop in discussions with a deeply knowledgeable and wise friend.
Work
By Ludmila N. Praslova, Ph.D. on October 22, 2022 in Positively Different
Work conditions harmed the mental health of 84% of employees. The new US Surgeon General's guidance on workplace mental health and well-being can help employers do better.
Work conditions harmed the mental health of 84% of employees. The new US Surgeon General's guidance on workplace mental health and well-being can help employers do better.
Personality
By Patrick De Vleeschauwer Drs. on October 21, 2022 in Fulfilling Our Highest Possibility
We can never step out of our body. How can there ever be a disembodied self?
We can never step out of our body. How can there ever be a disembodied self?
Environment
By Stephen Murphy-Shigematsu Ed.D. on October 21, 2022 in Finding Meaning in Life’s Struggles
"Perhaps we have a chance to rededicate ourselves to our planet, to each other, to life and love all around us. If we seize that chance."
"Perhaps we have a chance to rededicate ourselves to our planet, to each other, to life and love all around us. If we seize that chance."
Relationships
By Assael Romanelli Ph.D. on October 21, 2022 in The Other Side of Relationships
Couples therapy is a power change process that will change your life. By opting out of the process, you're risking some serious consequences.
Couples therapy is a power change process that will change your life.
By opting out of the process, you're risking some serious consequences.
Sex
By Robert Weiss Ph.D., MSW on October 21, 2022 in Love and Sex in the Digital Age
Whatever fears you have (or don’t have), it’s clear that meta-porn is on the rise, and eventually technology could evolve in ways that make meta-sex as common as real-world sex.
Whatever fears you have (or don’t have), it’s clear that meta-porn is on the rise, and eventually technology could evolve in ways that make meta-sex as common as real-world sex.
Creativity
By Scott G. Eberle Ph.D. on October 21, 2022 in Play in Mind
Playing with the fingerboard, a faithful working miniature replica of a full-sized skateboard, enables embodied transport of the imagination.
Playing with the fingerboard, a faithful working miniature replica of a full-sized skateboard, enables embodied transport of the imagination.
Narcissism
By Kaytee Gillis, LCSW-BACS on October 21, 2022 in Invisible Bruises
Someone with traits of narcissism is likely to project this onto others, openly labeling their target as the narcissist.
Follow these 6 steps to decrease an emotional reaction.
Someone with traits of narcissism is likely to project this onto others, openly labeling their target as the narcissist. Follow these 6 steps to decrease an emotional reaction.
Neuroscience
By E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on October 21, 2022 in Black Belt Brain
How you breathe affects not just how you move and function but also how you react to external perturbations.
How you breathe affects not just how you move and function but also how you react to external perturbations.
Anxiety
By Susan Trachman M.D. on October 21, 2022 in It's Not Just in Your Head
Earlier this month, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended anxiety screening for adults under the age of 65. Here's why I applaud this bold action as a psychiatrist.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended anxiety screening for adults under the age of 65. Here's why I applaud this bold action as a psychiatrist.
Health, Help, Happiness + Find a Therapist CA
Depression
By Samuel L. Pauker, M.D., and Miriam Arond on October 23, 2022 in Depression: A Guide for the Perplexed
How to determine if a lack of interest and focus is due to depression or ADD.
How to determine if a lack of interest and focus is due to depression or ADD.
Health
By Gary Wenk Ph.D. on October 23, 2022 in Your Brain on Food
Women may benefit more from this ancient Aztec practice of “stacking” foods and drugs.
Women may benefit more from this ancient Aztec practice of “stacking” foods and drugs.
Therapy
By Elizabeth Ruegg LCSW on October 23, 2022 in Therapeutic Paws
Have you always wanted to know how to volunteer with your pup on a therapy dog team? Three steps will prepare you for the journey of a lifetime.
Have you always wanted to know how to volunteer with your pup on a therapy dog team? Three steps will prepare you for the journey of a lifetime.
Relationships
By Robert Taibbi L.C.S.W. on October 23, 2022 in Fixing Families
To avoid conflict, some couples never honestly say what they want. Over time this can lead to resentment and unfulfillment. Step up and speak up to get what's important.
To avoid conflict, some couples never honestly say what they want. Over time this can lead to resentment and unfulfillment. Step up and speak up to get what's important.
Therapy
By Ran D. Anbar M.D. on October 23, 2022 in Understanding Hypnosis
How can you discover the meaning of a nightmare?
How can you discover the meaning of a nightmare?
Law and Crime
By J. Reid Meloy Ph.D. on October 23, 2022 in The Forensic Files
Are there rules that guide threat assessment teams in high schools? There are now.
Are there rules that guide threat assessment teams in high schools? There are now.
Social Life
By Alexander Danvers Ph.D.
on October 23, 2022 in How Do You Know?
Researchers examined how Facebook's early rollout to colleges influenced mental health. What they found changes our understanding of what's harmful about social media.
Researchers examined how Facebook's early rollout to colleges influenced mental health. What they found changes our understanding of what's harmful about social media.
Law and Crime
By Ellen Kirschman Ph.D. on October 23, 2022 in Cop Doc
Asking cops to stay on the job for two to three decades can be a costly mistake. How can we help those who decide to transition to the civilian world?
Asking cops to stay on the job for two to three decades can be a costly mistake. How can we help those who decide to transition to the civilian world?
Sex
By Chelom E. Leavitt, J.D./Ph.D. on October 22, 2022 in Sexual Mindfulness
Here is a non-goal oriented perspective on orgasms that might actually increase orgasm consistency.
Here is a non-goal oriented perspective on orgasms that might actually increase orgasm consistency.
Animal Behavior
By Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on October 22, 2022 in Animal Emotions
A new forward-looking book moves conservation from anthropocentrism to the animals themselves and offers a passionate critique of the dark side of government-orchestrated killing.
A new forward-looking book moves conservation from anthropocentrism to the animals themselves and offers a passionate critique of the dark side of government-orchestrated killing.
Work
By Gleb Tsipursky Ph.D. on October 22, 2022 in Intentional Insights
While some headlines claim that a recession will mean the end of remote work, many companies will benefit by having most employees working remotely during an economic downturn.
While some headlines claim that a recession will mean the end of remote work, many companies will benefit by having most employees working remotely during an economic downturn.
Relationships
By Yvonne Castañeda, MSW, LICSW on October 22, 2022 in The Power of Parallels
Do you constantly find yourself in toxic relationships? Find out why this keeps happening.
Do you constantly find yourself in toxic relationships? Find out why this keeps happening.
Anxiety
By Liza Morton Ph.D. on October 22, 2022 in Psychologically Informed Medicine
How can we feel safe during these uncertain times?
How can we feel safe during these uncertain times?
Marriage
By Barbara Greenberg Ph.D. on October 22, 2022 in The Teen Doctor
There are ways to prepare for a second marriage.
There are ways to prepare for a second marriage.
Anxiety
By Dimitrios Tsatiris M.D. on October 22, 2022 in Anxiety in High-Achievers
Don’t allow work-related anxiety to spoil your precious weekends.
Don’t allow work-related anxiety to spoil your precious weekends.
Evolutionary Psychology
By Molly S. Castelloe Ph.D. on October 22, 2022 in The Me in We
Empathy is the midwife of healthy narcissism.
Empathy is the midwife of healthy narcissism.
Self-Help
By Diana Raab Ph.
D. on October 22, 2022 in The Empowerment Diary
From an early age, you might have been told to read more. Did you ever wonder about the benefits? Studies show reading contributes to well-being across the lifespan.
From an early age, you might have been told to read more. Did you ever wonder about the benefits? Studies show reading contributes to well-being across the lifespan.
Happiness
By Mark Travers Ph.D. on October 22, 2022 in Social Instincts
Peak experiences make for interesting stories, but living deliberately and curiously makes for an interesting life.
Peak experiences make for interesting stories, but living deliberately and curiously makes for an interesting life.
Relationships
By Susan Krauss Whitbourne Ph.D. on October 22, 2022 in Fulfillment at Any Age
People in long-term romantic relationships may not always be able to articulate the reasons that they love each other. New research takes a deep dive into these deep feelings.
People in long-term romantic relationships may not always be able to articulate the reasons that they love each other. New research takes a deep dive into these deep feelings.
Unconscious
By Ran D. Anbar M.D. on October 22, 2022 in Understanding Hypnosis
Exploration of your subconscious thoughts can lead to insights similar to those you can develop in discussions with a deeply knowledgeable and wise friend.
Exploration of your subconscious thoughts can lead to insights similar to those you can develop in discussions with a deeply knowledgeable and wise friend.
Work
By Ludmila N. Praslova, Ph.D. on October 22, 2022 in Positively Different
Work conditions harmed the mental health of 84% of employees. The new US Surgeon General's guidance on workplace mental health and well-being can help employers do better.
Work conditions harmed the mental health of 84% of employees. The new US Surgeon General's guidance on workplace mental health and well-being can help employers do better.
Personality
By Patrick De Vleeschauwer Drs. on October 21, 2022 in Fulfilling Our Highest Possibility
We can never step out of our body. How can there ever be a disembodied self?
We can never step out of our body. How can there ever be a disembodied self?
Environment
By Stephen Murphy-Shigematsu Ed.D. on October 21, 2022 in Finding Meaning in Life’s Struggles
"Perhaps we have a chance to rededicate ourselves to our planet, to each other, to life and love all around us. If we seize that chance."
"Perhaps we have a chance to rededicate ourselves to our planet, to each other, to life and love all around us. If we seize that chance."
Relationships
By Assael Romanelli Ph.D. on October 21, 2022 in The Other Side of Relationships
Couples therapy is a power change process that will change your life. By opting out of the process, you're risking some serious consequences.
Couples therapy is a power change process that will change your life.
By opting out of the process, you're risking some serious consequences.
Sex
By Robert Weiss Ph.D., MSW on October 21, 2022 in Love and Sex in the Digital Age
Whatever fears you have (or don’t have), it’s clear that meta-porn is on the rise, and eventually technology could evolve in ways that make meta-sex as common as real-world sex.
Whatever fears you have (or don’t have), it’s clear that meta-porn is on the rise, and eventually technology could evolve in ways that make meta-sex as common as real-world sex.
Creativity
By Scott G. Eberle Ph.D. on October 21, 2022 in Play in Mind
Playing with the fingerboard, a faithful working miniature replica of a full-sized skateboard, enables embodied transport of the imagination.
Playing with the fingerboard, a faithful working miniature replica of a full-sized skateboard, enables embodied transport of the imagination.
Narcissism
By Kaytee Gillis, LCSW-BACS on October 21, 2022 in Invisible Bruises
Someone with traits of narcissism is likely to project this onto others, openly labeling their target as the narcissist.
Follow these 6 steps to decrease an emotional reaction.
Someone with traits of narcissism is likely to project this onto others, openly labeling their target as the narcissist. Follow these 6 steps to decrease an emotional reaction.
Neuroscience
By E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on October 21, 2022 in Black Belt Brain
How you breathe affects not just how you move and function but also how you react to external perturbations.
How you breathe affects not just how you move and function but also how you react to external perturbations.
Anxiety
By Susan Trachman M.D. on October 21, 2022 in It's Not Just in Your Head
Earlier this month, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended anxiety screening for adults under the age of 65. Here's why I applaud this bold action as a psychiatrist.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended anxiety screening for adults under the age of 65. Here's why I applaud this bold action as a psychiatrist.
Five apps to make you feel better
Lifestyle
Quarantine has shown that mental health apps are man's best friend. Tracking and controlling emotional patterns, smartphone counseling for couples, quests to improve mental health: we have collected five applications that will become guides in the new year.
ReGain
ReGain was originally developed as a couple support app, but you can use it on your own without a partner. First you need to go through a quick, two-minute questionnaire: what gender are you, whether you will use the application together or on your own, tick off the main problems in relationships (17 points in total), and also choose a therapist. When choosing a therapist, the application asks you to indicate what kind of consultation you are waiting for: whether you want the specialist to give you homework, expect him to constructively criticize your beliefs with your partner, or choose to work on communication skills (of course, there are more points).
After you, your partner and your personal therapist are united in one digital office, where you explain the essence of the problems, share problems in the form of messages and receive feedback, as well as recommendations from a qualified specialist. If you prefer to participate in the sessions yourself, then the application has such an option.
Today, some people are more comfortable with remote psychological consultations, the screen of a smartphone or tablet puts a barrier between you and the therapist, so ReGain can be considered as a light version of going to a psychologist.
Sanvello
According to the application itself, about 40 million Americans use it (which does not prevent you from downloading it from anywhere in the world), complimentary reviews appeared in Forbes and The New York Times, it is approved by the American Psychological Association, and over its creation Several dozen specialists of various profiles worked. Sanvello focuses on cognitive behavioral therapy and meditation, and the content was created with the help of psychotherapists.
The latter can be conditionally divided into four blocks of varying degrees of intensity - from light motivational lifestyle to heavy artillery in the form of therapy: in fact, psychological consultations, daily supportive quotes, coaching (work with a specific specialist) and therapy suitable for those suffering from both stress and anxiety. depression. Sanvello also has a Peer Support section, or peer support: this is a chat in which algorithms find a user very similar to you who is trying to solve a similar range of problems. Here you can correspond, share experiences and support each other.
Mend
Relationship sociologist Polina Aronson's book Love: Do It Yourself contains several texts on how apps have come to serve as comforters and mini-institutions of support for those who are facing divorce or separation. Aronson also mentions the Mend application.
Mend is even such a small media application or blog that publishes specialized thematic materials about what steps need to be taken to make the separation less painful.
The I'm heartbroken course offers articles and step-by-step courses ranging from 17 ways to ease the pain of a breakup to materials on what to eat to help you recover faster and without depression.
By the way, not so long ago, another full-fledged column was added to Mend - on how to endure burnout at work (with an emphasis on treating the main professional ailment of our time during a pandemic and isolation). Auditory courses are offered here - more than 50 entries.
Paradym
And here is something unusual. What to hide, most applications differ only in interfaces, heading names, while their content is approximately the same. If you try to reduce them to a common denominator, then many of them are similar to programs based on secular meditation or on some popular therapeutic practice. In this regard, Paradym is a very niche application that helps the user to define - quote - their "emotional identity". By this term, the authors of the application mean tracking emotional patterns and patterns; that is, they offer to understand emotional behavior and understand why we almost always react to similar situations in the same way: why someone is jealous for no reason, why they meet with aggression the arguments of the interlocutor, why they prefer to be offended when there is no reason for this, or why some are so prone to depression .
Based on neuroscience and psychology, Paradym offers to understand behavioral patterns, understand how they arise, what are their triggers, and develop a methodology for their control and containment.
MoodMission
And here's an app for those who feel chronically tired, overwhelmed or depressed. MoodMission, as the developers assure, is based on a scientific approach and research. The “missions” declared in the title are arranged according to the structure of the quest: applications give the user various tasks that gradually develop motivation, aspiration and perseverance in him; a neuroscientist would say that such tasks simply stimulate the release of beneficial neurotransmitters like oxytocin and dopamine, which have a beneficial effect on mood and general tone.
The tasks of the application are not quite ordinary: select a certain repetitive sound (for example, the noise of a passing car) and count how many times it sounds per day; or writing an autobiography of your emotions over a period.
There is also physical activity - to wash the bathroom (order in the house - order in the head).
In short, COVID-19, for all its catastrophic impacts, has led to several positive results, one of which has been the digitalization of a variety of processes. Including the provision of psychological assistance at a time when personal consultations were not available due to quarantine. Today, when offline is available again, many people still choose help through applications and, according to developers and user reviews, are satisfied
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Author: Alexander Vasiliev
Lifestyle
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talk about art therapy with a teacher of the Institute
home / Blog / How Creativity Heals: A Talk About Art Therapy with an Institute Lecturer
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May 25, 2022
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Art therapy is one of the most creative and free areas of practical psychology.
It helps to find and work through a psychological theme or difficulty through drawing, music, and even dance. But how can creativity be included in psychology and make art truly healing? This was told by Diana Akhmadeeva, a teacher at the Institute of Applied Psychology.
Quick reference
Diana Akhmadeeva — Occupational psychologist (Moscow State University), practicing adult and children's art therapist, certified intermodal expressive arts therapist, member of the association for intermodal arts therapy, lecturer at the Institute of Applied Psychology.
Social networks: Telegram, Profile on b17.ru
How does art therapy differ from art courses
— Diana Pavlovna, tell us how you came to psychology?
— Psychology is my first and favorite profession, I came into it consciously. This was partly influenced by the family: my mother and grandmother are also psychologists. But I didn’t have a goal to continue the family business - I just got acquainted with the profession as a child and managed to become sincerely interested in it.
A psychologist, in my opinion, is somewhat similar to a detective who is looking for relationships and clues, digs out the underlying causes of certain emotions and patterns of behavior. Working with a person's personality has always inspired me and awe with its depth!
Now I am in charge of art therapy at the Institute of Applied Psychology. Under my leadership, existing art therapy courses have been developed and maintained, I help organize and develop new courses, check their quality and teach myself. I also work in private practice as an intermodal arts therapist and art therapist. My clients are both children and adults. I work with a wide range of issues: fears, insecurities, anxiety, decision making, fulfillment, relationships, self-esteem and others. Sometimes I lead art therapy groups.
— You specialize in art therapy — tell us more about this direction. What are its advantages?
—Simplistically, art therapy is the expression of inner feelings through outer forms, in the words of Natalie Rogers.
It allows a person to express what is inside him, and then look at it from the outside and do something with it, change it, find a solution. Art therapy helps, more visually than purely verbal methods, to explore fears, anger and other feelings, as well as difficult situations that a person wants to understand. Thanks to the non-verbal form, it is possible to show what is difficult to formulate in words. The client not only expresses himself, but also changes the result obtained: for example, anger can be “recast”, and anxiety can be “redrawn”: first give shape, and then transform it.
I will talk about art therapy, not just about art therapy. It is understood both in a narrow key - as visual methods, and in a broad key - as art therapy (which includes other types of art: music therapy, dance-movement, fairy-tale, intermodal and others). Art therapy, including art therapy, necessarily connects the created object with the reality of the client, and this differs from ordinary art courses.
We do not just draw something, but explore a theme, a problem on the territory of art, we find a solution or transformation there, after which we build a “bridge to life” so that the changes can manifest themselves in real life.
Art therapy and intermodal expressive arts therapy attracted me with their resourcefulness, softness and humanism. The psychologist who consults in the art therapy approach places particular emphasis on the person, their vision and feelings. This is a safe and environmentally friendly direction in which there are no requirements for human artistic skills - you do not need to be able to draw, dance or play music, but you can enjoy spontaneous self-expression, explore your topic in the territory of art, play and dance with a problem. Often this helps much faster than millions of conversations. The art and arts therapist also uses, but is not limited to, counseling techniques. Everything rests on the individuality, needs and desires of the client - it happens that purely verbal and cognitive forms are more suitable for someone.
Can only an artist become an art therapist?
- You mentioned that a client does not need to be able to draw, sing, or sculpt to access art therapy. Does a psychologist need to have an art education, or at least talent?
- An art therapist may not have a serious art education, but he must be familiar with the language of this type of art and have his own experience in applying the chosen art form in his creative research and personal therapy. The main thing is that the art therapist and art therapist follow the principle of "low skill - high sensitivity", which was introduced by Paolo Knill. The essence of this principle is to be sensitive to art and to the forms that a person creates.
At the same time, an art therapist, and especially an intermodal therapist, never interprets a drawing unambiguously and directly. Only the client is an expert in his own life. And the therapist just "walks by." But the specialist can voice his response, share feelings and thoughts, discuss them with the client.
An art therapist must follow the client and catch both his non-verbal manifestations (look, breathing, body position) and creative ones: drawing, music, dance movements. There is no clear sequence of actions and step-by-step movement to the result, the process is more creative and flexible.
— Can a beginner psychologist understand by any signs that art therapy suits him?
— To understand this, in my opinion, you need to feel like a client yourself. This can be done in training practice at the Institute or in personal therapy - by trying different approaches with psychologists practicing in them.
After that, evaluate how you responded to this approach. Did you like the process of work, do you see progress in solving the problem? And if, like me, you feel that art therapy solves your request faster than purely verbal work, you can take a closer look at this direction.
Trust and comfort in communicating with a psychologist is another important point.
Therefore, in order to find your specialist, you need time. Take your time, choose a psychologist and your direction carefully.
How does Russian art therapy differ from foreign ones and why is it so popular among clients
— Why do you think art therapy is becoming more and more popular among clients?
— Art therapy helps people find themselves, express themselves, try new things. Recently, people's need for self-realization and creativity has grown markedly. This can be seen even in how advertising has changed: in my childhood, slogans were used everywhere: “be better”, “good housewives choose ...”, and now people are attracted to phrases like: “be yourself!”. This means that the needs and motives have changed in the direction of self-realization. If you recall Maslow's famous pyramid of needs, such needs are above the rest, and become significant when the basic ones are “closed”.
Another reason voiced by the "pioneer" of intermodal therapy in Russia, Varvara Sidorova, is the need of the city dweller to get closer to nature.
In the city, we create almost nothing with our own hands, we buy ready-made things, so there is much less creativity. Through art we realize the need for creation.
For example, clay modeling is good for grounding and calming a person, and helps to express strong feelings in a safe way.
- Important observations! Could you please tell us how this demanded direction is developing now?
- I believe that Art Therapy is moving towards even more humanity and towards the rejection of direct interpretiveness. This allows you to believe more in the client and his own strengths and abilities, to perceive him as an equal, and not as "a suffering person who should be helped." The psychologist is not an expert, but one who “walks alongside”. For example, relatively recently, a new young direction has appeared, which I actively practice: intermodal therapy with expressive arts. She can combine drawing, modeling, sound, dance in one therapy session. Here, work with a client is even more flexible and individual - one type of creativity flows into another within the framework of one meeting.
According to Natalie Rogers, movement after painting or creating poetry after movement allows you to immerse yourself in experiences, live them in more detail and find deeper meanings.
Art therapy integrates new possibilities and technologies, not merging with other areas of psychotherapy, but enriched by them. This direction came to Russia not so long ago, and it has yet to gain a foothold and develop its own principles of work.
It is possible that after some time Russian specialists will be required to undergo certification, but for now, unlike in the UK or Latvia, art therapist is not a separate profession, but an additional qualification.
On the one hand, this provides fertile ground for unreliable courses and for the work of pseudo-specialists who pass ordinary drawing off as art therapy. On the other hand, art therapy in Russia can develop more freely and actively.
- You have touched on an interesting topic! In conclusion, open it in a little more detail: how else, in your opinion, does Russian art therapy differ from European or American?
— As a rule, in Russia, psychologists come to art therapy who want to improve their skills and expand their capabilities.
