Are you thinking of starting art therapy in Dubai? In this article, I will tell you my personal experience.
Growing up, I didn’t have access to the arts. It wasn’t a priority in my environment, and I didn’t understand how essential it was for my well-being. As I grew older, I began to realize that my body—my soma—had grown hungry for creative expression. There was a deep need within me to channel my emotions and to make sense of what was buried in my subconscious.
Art therapy became my safe space. It allowed me to express emotions that I couldn’t put into words, helping me release what no longer served me and uncover truths I had buried deep inside. Each brushstroke, every color choice, and even the imperfections on the canvas reflected my inner world, bringing the subconscious to the conscious in the most healing and transformative way.
The Wisdom of Carl Jung and Art Therapy
Carl Jung, the renowned Swiss psychologist, believed that art and creativity are bridges between the conscious and unconscious mind. He saw creative expression as a way to access the deeper layers of the psyche, uncovering truths and insights that are otherwise hidden. For Jung, art wasn’t just a form of therapy—it was a path to individuation, the process of becoming one’s true self.
When I discovered Jung’s perspective, it resonated deeply with my own experiences. I realized that art therapy wasn’t just helping me express emotions—it was guiding me on a journey of self-discovery, connecting me to parts of myself I had long ignored.
How it Transformed Me
• Emotional Release: Art became my voice when words failed.
• Self-Discovery: Through painting and drawing, I found parts of myself I had neglected or ignored, gaining clarity and deeper self-awareness.
• Healing Through the Soma: The physical act of creating art—whether it was molding clay, painting, or even doodling—helped me connect to my body in ways that felt nourishing and restorative.
In a city like Dubai, where the arts are thriving, art therapy offers a unique opportunity to explore this powerful healing process. It’s not just about creating something beautiful—it’s about uncovering the beauty within yourself.
Ideas for Art Therapy at Home
Here are three simple ways to incorporate art therapy into your daily life:
- Emotional Collage
• Gather magazines, newspapers, or printed images.
• Cut out words, colors, and pictures that resonate with your current emotions.
• Create a collage by arranging and gluing these pieces onto paper or canvas. Reflect on what the final piece reveals about your inner world. - Paint Your Emotions
• Set up a simple workspace with paint or markers.
• Let your emotions guide your strokes—don’t think about creating something perfect.
• Use this practice as a way to process and release feelings that might be difficult to articulate. - Gratitude Stones
• Collect small stones or pebbles.
• Paint them with symbols, words, or patterns that represent things you are grateful for.
• Keep these stones in a visible place as reminders of positivity and self-connection.
These simple activities can help you connect with your inner self, process emotions, and discover the therapeutic power of creativity
If you want guidance you can book a free discovery call with me.