I am deeply passionate about the arts as a profound and powerful tool to support a coming back into our bodies. It can be an entry point, a doorway to more self-awareness of our nervous system & trauma we have experienced, to creating greater connection to what safety and soothing and connection feel like in our bodies.
I believe we are all inherently creative as QTBIPoC (Queer, Trans, Non-Binary, Black, Indigenous and People of Colour). There is so much that disconnects us from our creativity and from connection to our bodies, so much that can block us from accessing our imaginations, taking up space, and telling our stories.
As BIPoC (Black, Indigenous and People of Colour) there is so much wisdom inside of our bodies; so many stories, so much honest art, so much magic wanting to be shared & such a depth of resilience. BIPoC hold narratives of survival and thriving in our bodies. For BIPoC, the oppression experienced from homophobia, sexism, transphobia, classism, fatphobia, ableism, colonialism, and so much more is exhausting, can be completely debilitating, and can keep us from thriving. BIPoC deserve spaces to express ourselves and access tools for our healing.
What is Expressive Arts Therapy?
Expressive Arts Therapy (EXAT) is an arts-based approach to individual counselling and therapeutic group work. A beautiful aspect of EXAT that it is inter-modal, meaning an individual session or group workshop could include an array of different mediums such as writing, movement, music, dance, painting, clay, drama, puppets, etc.
An individual session or group is a time for you, a time to get messy, play, and delve into the artistic modalities we are working with. For individual therapy we will check in about what modalities you would like to work with and explore.
My values in my work with you
We work with the body and what is there
Everyone is an artist, is creative and can have access to their imagination
We use the arts to soothe and repair disconnect
You are in the drivers seat: I hold space and provide support
My work is intersectional; we will explore and interrogate systems of power and privilege within the context of your life.
You are the expert of your experiences
EXAT can be a very powerful tool for self-expression, self discovery, and healing. EXAT is another channel to access our inner world that doesn’t focus primarily on language or talk therapy. When we can delve into the arts, connect with the materials, immerse yourself into the play we have a beautiful opportunity to connect with different parts of your body and psyche that words or logic alone cannot access.
Feel free to connect with me to book a free 20 min consult to ask questions and see if we could be a good fit for what you are looking for. Email me Hello@jotikahealingarts.com
