Amaris Jones

“Art is coming face to face with yourself.” - unknown

Once I decided I wanted to be an art therapist two years ago the question “what is art therapy” has become a common occurrence to me. Each time I answer I always give a different modified answer. From “art is a form of communication used to heal.” or even “Art is just an alternative way to heal clients, especially nonverbal clients.” But overall, art therapy is even more than that. It is a way to heal, to understand yourself, to hear your own thoughts,voice and ideas. It can even heal our bodies even, our physical trauma is not off limits to art either. To me all that I mentioned is the definition of therapeutic artwork. It is a way to heal anybody from the inside out. It is an exercise for our souls. Despite this, this “soul work” can look different for everybody but it nonetheless serves the same purpose. Looking at my own personal experience however growing up art was the only element that kept me sane growing up. As a child I grew up in a very chaotic environment per say and the only thing that could possibly keep my head above water was well, art. Art is any form! From what I created with a pencil or reading any book I could get my hands on. I was able to be transported into another universe, even with my parents arguing so tragically a room over. I would no longer be there with them, but with the book character who I called friends. Or the doodles I made me on a paper that made me feel invincible. That invincibility did not leave and I am grateful for that.