Marise Lariviere | Art Therapy Program

Art Therapy Program

heartful counseling

therapeutic arts

Process Oriented

"Art serves as a helper in times of trouble." - Rudolph Arnheim

A process oriented art therapy session consists of engaging in art invitations which promote self-reflection, self-awareness, self-acceptance, and insight leading to transformation and profound healing. I offer a series of brief expressive art therapy program to address specific challenges and clinical issues. Each of the following process oriented program consists of 8 to 12 individual sessions thoughtfully tailored to your individual needs.

Anxiety - Calming the Anxious Mind

A significant benefit of expressive art therapy lies in its ability to calm the nervous system. When we’re focused on creating, our attention shifts away from worrisome ruminations. Additionally, a creative practice train the brain in growing new neural pathways that supports a sense of calm. The pathways get stronger with repetition until that sense of calm becomes the new normal. In this program, you will not only practice art interventions that calm the nervous system but also engage in art activities that promote self-expression and self-awareness for a deeper transformation.

Grief & Loss - The Pendulum of Grieving

Grief is an unavoidable and natural part of the human experience. We will all lose someone we love at some point, and we will all experience and express our grief in our own unique way. While the journey of bereavement can be extremely painful, it can also be an opportunity for growth and discovery. According to researchers Stroebe and Schut, people who have suffered loss oscillate like a pendulum between loss-oriented and restoration-oriented behavior. The authors believe that oscillation naturally allows a person to experience grief in manageable doses. In this program, I will accompany you with creative experiences that support the pendulum grieving process for a natural and soothing restorative healing.

Trauma - Unlock the door to Creative Power

Somatic psychology posits that one’s body is viewed as an emotional container. When an individual experiences trauma, that container no longer feels safe as one moves through a process of instinctual fight, flight, or freeze. As a result, an individual becomes distanced from their emotions and from their inner creative life, along with their ability to be present in the moment (Levine, 2010).

Expressive arts therapy naturally shifts individuals from being “in their minds” to being more fully in their bodies. In this program, I will introduce art invitations that encourage self-regulation, communication of experiences in reparative ways, the use of imagination for restorative narratives, and ultimately support post-traumatic growth and recovery.

Life Transition - Embracing Liminal Space & Piecing together the Possibilities

The word liminal comes from the Latin limen, meaning "threshold." Liminal space is a period of transition, an in-between space, a place of unknowing and a time of waiting. It is a space of integration between the old and the new. You have left the familiar behind, but the future is not yet clear. Threshold times often require big decisions and can be frightening. What if through creativity you could start to imagine this threshold space as a place of possibility rather than uncertainty. Imagination is at the core of our work in this program. Through art expression and conversations, you will gradually become aware of what is really important in your live and will be able to make decisions from a grounded place.

Mindfulness Oriented

"Quiet the mind and the soul will speak." - Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati

A mindful oriented art therapy session consists of engaging in art invitations that are specifically designed to elicit emotional expression and response while enhancing your presence and focus. This process also stimulates self-awareness and self-acceptance for growth and transformation. Each of the following art interventions might be offered in addition to the brief program series or in complement to traditional therapy.

Mask Making

What is the meaning of a mask in art therapy? Are they meant to hide or protect some aspect of ourselves? Do they reflect what we show to the world and obscure our “true” selves? Or do they help us uncover and discover parts of ourselves? Either way, the process puts light on parts of ourselves that need to be seen. Masks can bring to consciousness how we both see ourselves and fantasize how we would like to be.

Zen Sculpting

The main features of clay-work and plaster sculpting explored in this program are based on a procedural expression through touch, movement, and the three-dimensional aspect as well as the reflection of construction and deconstruction processes. This therapeutic approach facilitates expression of emotions, catharsis, rich and deep expressions, verbal communication, revealing unconscious material, and concretization and symbolization.

This program is offer in studio only. Will resume after the pandemic.

Heartful Painting

Heartful painting is a powerful intuitive, spiritual and creative experience. It is designed to deepen and transform your relationship to your intuition or felt sense. It is an opportunity to explore the inner self with curiosity through the creative process in a safe, critic free environment. The main premise of intuitive painting is to tune in to your own unique creative process while releasing attachment to meaning, control, expertise or final product. This approach to painting is focused on mindfulness, creative permission and the act of spontaneous expression.

Mandala Series

A mandala is a spiritual and ritual symbol in Asian cultures. It can be understood in two different ways: externally as a visual representation of the universe or internally as a guide for inner peace and wisdom. In Hinduism and Buddhism, the belief is that by entering the mandala and proceeding towards its center, you are guided through the process of transforming the universe from one of suffering into one of joy and happiness. The mandala can be filled with a variety of artistic material, shapes and designs in an effort to find and restore a sense of healthy mental balance. The practice is self soothing and centering. The mandala also serves as a powerful container for difficult emotions and memories.

Zentangle &

Mindful Drawing

In this program, you will learn to design unexpected patterns with combinations of dots, lines, curves and shade. Zentangle art is a non-representational and unplanned experience so you can focus on each stroke and slow down. This art invitation enables you to deliberately access a state of relaxation, stimulate your imagination, notice and transform self-critic and grow self-compassion and self-confidence.

SoulCollage®

Soulcollage is a gentle yet deep process for accessing your inner world in a creative way that goes beyond words and concepts. Learning to trust inner guidance, you will spend time choosing images, assembling collages, as well as reflecting and integrating the sense of the art through short writing exercises. Creating collaged cards with its own unique voice, energy, and presence provides a direct experiential access to intuition, insight, and transformation.

Art Journaling & Altered Book making

Emotions can be overwhelming when faced with life-changing events like illness, death of a loved one or trauma, or even the ups and downs of daily life. Journaling is known as a good practice to process daily emotions. Art journaling on the other hand, offers a different mean of expression where the stories are recorded with images instead of sentences. The art journal serves a safe container to process and store emotions. The pages in an art journal or altered book may be used to draw, color, collage, paste or tape items, stamp, stencil or scribble. There is no right or wrong way of creating a journal. There is just your own "true to yourself" way.

Touch Drawing

"Touch Drawing is a simple yet profound process. Paper is placed over wet paint. The pressure of fingertips on the page forms images on the underside. The hands are extensions of the soul, moving in response to the sensations of the moment. Channels of expression open, enabling feelings to flow. A series of drawings is created, each a stepping stone deeper into the self. This act of creation unleashes vibrant healing forces that guide the psyche toward wholeness. Even an unconfident artist can experience the fulfillment of seeing their interior life come alive on paper."

Deborah Koff-Chapin, Founder of Touch Drawing

Skills Oriented

"Learning never exhausts the mind." - Leonard da Vinci

A skills oriented art therapy session consist of engaging in creative art making that stimulate the brain in ways that make people experience a sense of confidence, empowerment, and well being. I offer a variety of individual therapeutic ateliers aiming at exploring and building new artistic abilities. You let me know your interest and we figure out a structured treatment plan that will meet your needs and lit your passion.