Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some answers to popular questions. If you can’t find your question below feel free to contact us, and we’ll be happy to help.
What is Eco / Nature Therapy?
Eco/Nature Therapy is a therapeutic approach that promotes well-being by fostering a mindful connection with the natural environment. It involves slowing down, engaging with natural elements, and immersing oneself in the present moment to enhance mental and emotional health, alongside a trained therapist. This form of therapy emphasizes the restorative and grounding effects of nature on individuals, offering a holistic and rejuvenating experience.
What is Art Therapy?
Art therapy is a mental health profession that enhances the well-being of individuals, families, and communities through engaging in active art-making, embracing the creative process, applying psychological theories, and drawing from human experiences within a psychotherapeutic relationship. Guided by professional art therapists, this therapeutic approach effectively supports and enhances cognitive and sensorimotor functions, nurturing self-esteem and self-awareness, building emotional resilience, fostering insight, refining social skills, mitigating conflicts and distress, and contributing to broader societal and ecological changes (American Art Therapy Association, 2023).
How can therapy help me?
Art, nature, and talk therapy each offer unique avenues for healing, and engaging in these modalities has many potential therapeutic benefits. Some of the potential advantages include increased self-awareness and communication skills, stress relief, the development of healthy coping mechanisms, and improved self-esteem, among others. Art therapy provides a creative outlet for emotional expression, nature therapy connects individuals with the soothing effects of the natural environment, and talk therapy offers a structured space for verbal exploration. Together, these approaches contribute to holistic well-being, addressing various aspects of mental and emotional health.
How is art therapy and nature therapy different from talk therapy?
Art therapy and nature therapy differ from traditional talk therapy in that they allow clients to express their thoughts and feelings through creative activities such as art or nature exploration, activating the whole body. Experiences are help within the body and occasionally can be difficult to access, verbalize or express through words alone.
In art therapy, you will use art materials to externalize and explore your thoughts and feelings, and then discuss them with your art therapist at your own pace. Similarly, in nature therapy, you will engage in outdoor exploration and connect with nature to encourage you to process and reflect on your emotions and thoughts.
What does therapy treat?
Mental health therapy (nature, art, and traditional talk) addresses a broad spectrum of psychological and emotional challenges, including self-harm, addiction, disordered eating, disassociation, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder (BPD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), impacts of abuse and trauma, grief and loss, chronic pain, relational issues, conflict resolution, life transitions, and more. Therapists use a variety of therapeutic approaches tailored to individual needs, providing support, insight, and coping strategies for a diverse range of life struggles.
How much is a therapy session? Is it covered by insurance?
The cost of a 50 minute therapy session starts at $150 CAD. The rate increases with time and for family or couple sessions.
Tessa, the current therapists offer a need-based, sliding scale. If you do require a sliding scale, please be sure to book a free 15 min consultation to discuss this with your therapist.
If you have insurance, you may be able to submit your session receipt(s) and have all or part of the cost covered (contact your insurance for more information). Tessa, the Eco Art’s therapist, is Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCC), which maybe covered in your plan. The number of sessions covered by your insurance may be limited, so this is something you will have to review.
How many therapy sessions will I need?
The number of sessions is flexible, without a set limit. Individuals have varied needs, with some finding value in short-term therapy, while others benefit from receiving long-term support.
Is art therapy only for artists or creative people?
Art therapy is suitable for everyone! You don’t need to have any artistic skills or experience to benefit from it. According to the British Association of Art Therapists, art therapy can help people of all ages and at all stages of life, including those whose life has been affected by difficult personal or cultural experiences, illness and/or disability. Art therapists are trained to guide you through the creative process, help you become familiar with the materials, and support you to express yourself through art.
What is the difference between art therapy & art classes?
Art classes concentrate on skill development, technique mastery, and creating visually appealing art. In contrast, art therapy prioritizes the therapeutic process, emphasizing self-expression, emotional exploration, and insights gained during the creative journey. Led by a professional art therapist, it centers on the emotional and psychological benefits of artistic expression rather than technical proficiency or aesthetic outcomes.
Is art therapy effective when done virtually/remotely or is it more effective in person?
Art therapy sessions are possible both online and in person. In online art therapy, you’ll need to purchase/use your own art materials, whereas in an in-person session, the therapist provides the materials.
Furthermore, if you share your living space with others, it’s essential to ensure you have a quiet and private area for engaging in therapy at home, along with a reliable internet connection. Remote counseling can be as effective as in-person counseling, offering added convenience for individuals with hectic schedules or those residing in remote areas.
Is art therapy good for kids/teens?
Art therapy is an effective mode of therapy for children and teens. It can be challenging for children and teens to express complex emotions or events in words, or to share their experiences with others, especially adults and authority figures. Art therapy provides them with the ability to express their experiences without words, organize and make sense of their emotions and experiences in an external form, and control how others receive information.
Additionally, children learn how to understand things through symbols and images before language develops. According to the American Art Therapy Association, artistic expression may decrease anxiety, feelings of anger and depression. This creative process can also enhance cognitive abilities, foster greater self-awareness and help students regulate their emotions.
Is art therapy good for adults and couples?
Yes, art therapy can be beneficial for adults and couples. Art therapy has been shown to benefit people of all ages, improve communication and concentration, and help reduce feelings of isolation. Art therapy can also help individuals work through emotions or stress, trauma or abuse, depression, or anxiety.
Art therapy with couples can enable both members to reveal through immediacy and unseen conflicts and provide potential resolutions while developing a greater understanding and acceptance of their partners through art making.
What are some of the art therapy exercises we might do?
Art therapists integrate a range of experientials or directives in sessions, guided by therapeutic goals and the session’s focus. The client is invited to take the lead, and the art therapist encourages exploration of preferred art mediums. Themes such as self-stabilization, mindfulness awareness, externalization, and more are woven into various art exercises tailored to address specific therapeutic objectives. Art could include drawing, painting, sculpture, collage, mixed media, story telling, writing.
What is the difference between a therapy group session vs. an individual sessions?
The distinction between therapy group sessions and individual sessions lies in the setting and dynamics. In individual therapy sessions, the focus is exclusively on one client, allowing for personalized attention and a deep exploration of individual experiences and concerns. On the other hand, therapy group sessions involve multiple participants, fostering a supportive environment where individuals can share their perspectives, provide insights, and gain from collective experiences. Group sessions often offer diverse perspectives and a sense of community, while individual sessions cater to a more focused and individualized therapeutic journey.
Can I practice art therapy at home without a therapist?
Creating art independently at home, is often called “therapeutic art-making,” which is different from formal art therapy. While the act of making art can be therapeutic and relaxing, it doesn’t qualify as therapy because the primary goal isn’t to address emotional processing or resolve mental health challenges. In the absence of a therapist, there is no professional guidance to help navigate and process emotions or issues that may surface during the creative process.
Do I have to be physically fit to engage in a nature therapy session?
Physical fitness is not a prerequisite for participating in a nature therapy session. Eco/Nature Therapy does not emphasize running or moving quickly; instead, it encourages individuals to slow down, connect with natural elements, and fully embrace the present moment. The focus is on mindful engagement with nature rather than physical exertion, making it accessible and beneficial for individuals of various fitness levels.
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