One of the many things I love about being an Art Therapist is that we are taught to sit in silence with the client and hold the space for creative expression to unfold.  We do this by being present: present to our cleint’s needs, present to our client’s expression, present to our inner response and what might be coming up for us.  We sit in the presence of our client’s story, witnessing it, encouraging it to be expressed, and giving it the space and tools to be expressed in.

To many, at times it may look like we are just sitting, doing nothing.  But in reality we are connecting with our clients on a deeper level than words sometimes allow. By allowing the art expression to unfold, holding back our questions, we bare witness to their inner struggles. In silence we show them that we understand their expression.  In silence we tell them that we trust they know the way, they have the answers, the answers are not ours to give.

While as an Art Therapist this does not mean I never talk with clients about their struggles, what it does mean is that a great deal of my work is done without words.  It also means that as an Art Therapist I follow the lead of the client.

I remember as a young girl I was always the quiet one, listening, watching, and saying few words.  To this day, this is very much me (though not so young, I am young at heart).  I much prefer to listen and watch, then respond.

There were periods in my twenties where the words were oozing out of me left right and centre as I deliberated the “meaning” of things with fellow university students and later fellow art therapy trainees.  It was the way I processed all the new information.  It was the way I gained confidence in the knowledge I came across.

But now I like to sit with it more.  Baring witness.  Many times I do this with art.

There are many ways we can take in and process new information.  Everyday we are bombarded with images, words, sounds, smells, which we filter automatically.  Sometimes it seems as if we are not noticing what comes before us, but we are, in very subtle ways.  Just as I witness my clients’ expressions in Art Therapy, we all are witnesses to our experiences even when we think we are looking the other way.  Some of us just don’t know it.

Ever wonder about why you seem to notice a repeated image or object one day that seem to be an array of coincidents? Why is it these things come into your awareness and not others? Sometimes these images seem to intrude upon our dreams at night.  Or is it just your way of processing?  Of baring witness to some inner wisdom that lies inside.

I see dreams as not so much a way of processing the days events but rather they reveal the inner stirrings of our psyche.   Our dreams hold intricate pieces of our personal puzzle.  If we truly listen and are present with the imagery that they share with us, it can open doors that lead us where we need to go.  One way of being present with the imagery, and exploring it without assumptions, is to meet the dream where it is, in the realm of imagery through art.

This is why I created the Dream Dialogues e-Course.  After following my dreams for many years I began to see the importance of exploring my dreams through the imagery rather than the dream’s “story” alone.  Making art about the dreams allows a deeper connection and dialogue with the dream.

Inside each and every one of us is a wealth of wisdom just waiting to be unleashed.  Dream Dialogues can help you get there.

The Dream Dialogues Live e-Course is now open for registration.  The course starts March 20th, 2012, and early registration discount is in effect until March 9th.