Why do we use creative expressive art therapy?
“अकेलापन”, “寂寞”, “Einsamkeit”. All these words, in Hindi, Chinese and German respectively, mean the same: Loneliness.
As international students ourselves, we at Mind the Gap Connect (MTGC) know that feelings like loneliness, homesickness and stress can be challenging to express — especially in a language that might not be our first. That’s why we run MTGC programs on how to express and process through creative therapy techniques like writing, drawing and other creative forms.
When was the last time you had a colour pen in your hands? (and no, using them to write notes does not count). Can you think of the last time you did some drawing for fun? There is a common misconception that creative art therapy is for children only. However, research has found—and we can vouch from our personal experiences—that it benefits people of all ages across all walks of life.
Creative therapy techniques invite us to pen down our experiences and challenges in a language we feel comfortable with or drawn to. Whether written or visual, this process can bring experiences to life through shape, form and colour. Sometimes this might be a more familiar language, like trying different kinds of writing or journaling in your mother tongue. Other times it might be experimenting with a completely new visual language to try expressing what you are feeling and thinking in a way that’s even better than using words.
The possibilities are endless and the creative journey that participants begin in our programs is often continued as a personal practice. Our creative intervention strategies like drawing, and writing can become a part of your self-care routine or your fun ME Time. The artwork that you create in the sessions is a part of your story and journey that you know best. Our program facilitators will not be interpreting and/or sharing the meaning of your art/writing with others. We invite you to share your story the way that you want in your words or colour, as much or as little as you are comfortable sharing.
Though some feelings and experiences of loneliness are universal, they are still personal to the individual and often feel very private. So don’t worry — even though we gather as a group in our sessions and programs, you don’t have to share your art or writing if you don’t want to. You are welcome to share as much or as little as you want. You also don’t need to be a great artist or have any particular skills to start your creative therapy journey. We’re not trying to create masterpieces; instead, the focus is ‘process over product’. This means we reflect on our experiences and emotions and then process them through creative techniques. The basic idea is to get them out of your head and in front of you in black and white and colours, a cathartic experience that often leads to a new perspective. We encourage participants to share these reflections if they feel comfortable — because this helps people realise they are not alone but are actually on a shared journey with people who have had similar experiences, and who are there to listen and support each other.
In our programs, we invite you to be creative and have fun while creating art without judgement attached — because at MTGC art and writing are mediums for self-expression, not something to be critiqued for their artistic merit. No one is allowed to pass judgements on others’ artworks, and YOU are not even allowed to judge your own works (because we can be our own harshest critics).
Group creative therapy has a way of uniting international students, where you have the chance to express yourself and acknowledge your individual journey, whilst also connecting with others over shared experiences. We hope to see you in one of our programs soon where you can experience the benefits of creative therapies for yourself and enjoy the opportunity to express, process, share and connect with other international students.
"Creativity is contagious, pass it on." - Albert Einstein
