Over the years I have tweaked the way I balance work and my creativity. While being an art therapist certainly brings out my creative side, it’s not enough. I have found great value both personally and professionally to explore my creative side more in-depth through my inner-child and inner-muse. It is my hope that these pages will reflect that journey so that you may pick and choose the creative tools that work for you.

You see, being an art therapist for over 17 years has taught me a lot. I have learned that it is not only what I do as an art therapist when helping others but what I don’t do. Standing out-of-the-way for the creative healing to happen is just as important as guiding it. Guiding this process is not about showing my clients where to go or even how far. Rather, it is about opening doors for them to all the endless possibilities, then supporting them in exploring these so that they may find what works for them.

There is no formula for art therapy. Over the years a consistent question I get is “what does it mean when . . .?” As if all art can be dissected and figured out by how it looks on the outside. But just as people can’t be figured out solely based on how they look on the outside nor can their art.

So who is the art therapist? Well to a great extent we are all or own art therapists: we know our art (and by “art” I mean our creative expression), it’s meaning and it’s significance for our own transformation more than any outsider. But we aren’t always in touch with what we know intuitively. While we may “know” what we intrinsically need to be fulfilled, getting to this wealth of inner knowledge is another story.

Sometimes we just may not recognize when we “know” what to do. We may be burdened with self-doubt. Our inner knowledge may be blocked inside, or out of our reach. We may look away, afraid to face our truth. That is when having another witness your journey can be so powerful. Another art therapist who is practiced in helping others through the intricacies of self-doubt and the inner critic gremlins.

On these pages I hope to share insights into this process, this dance of art, healing and transformation. I wish to share inspirations that support others in connecting with their playful and creative sides which you’ll hear me refer to as your inner-child and inner-muse. When I am referring to your inner-child, I mean that part of you capable of letting go and having fun. That part of you who is open and able to seeing things with new eyes, seeing the beauty of the world as if for the first time.  The part of you I refer to as your inner-muse may also be your inner-child who inspires you with fresh ideas.  Your inner-muse is that creative inspiring side of yourself who comes up with new ideas, visions and dreams.

The muse is the part of you that stirs the pot, pushing you to try new things, new forms of expression, encouraging you to share your inner beauty with the world. Your inner muse may push you to your emotional limits in attempts for you to move beyond the “stuckedness” that greys your sky. When you have access to your inner-muse you will be more able to push those clouds aside so that you can truly shine. However, sometimes your muse may have been cooped up so long that her voice may be weak, shallow and only a whisper.

Through using the expressive arts, her voice can become stronger, louder and more powerful than ever. As you give her the recognition and permission to express that she deserves, your life as you want it will begin to unfold beautifully before your eyes. So are you ready to start your journey? Begin HERE.