“Alex’s Heart sessions are great! I can’t imagine living without you!”
Art therapy
Art therapy can help improve various mental and physical symptoms including, but not limited to, reducing pain, anxiety, and tension. It can be beneficial to those who have mental disorders, severe or light emotional abuse, cancer, post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD), people who are bipolar, and a variety of other serious ailments. Art therapy can also help people with their social skills. The benefits of art therapy in these types of situations can help with people that are withdrawn or shy, or who, for some reason or another, have a difficult time functioning within social situations.
ART PROGRAMS FOR GOOD
Our art programs safely give voice to the United States military Veterans and their families. When you bring art and creativity into a session, on a very, very basic level, it taps into other parts of a person's experience. It accesses information... or oven emotions that can't be accessed through talking alone.
MORE THAN JUST ART
There's more to art than coloring, despite what the adult coloring book trend may suggest. Art has enormous healing potential. Over thirty years of scientific research have demonstrated that creative expression can not only alter moods, attitudes and emotions, but also influences neuro-endocrine pathways that control various physiologic outcomes, such as blood pressure, sleep and immune system response. Creative expression can:
- Reduce blood pressure while boosting the immune system and reducing stress
- Promote relaxation and a sense of well-being
- Reduce anxiety, depression and pain
- Promote general quality of life
EXPRESS YOURSELF
By putting individuals in touch with their feelings and providing a means to express this to others, creative self-expression helps to engage one in all aspects of treatment, empowering a person with a sense of purpose, accomplishment, and possibility. While the quantification and full description of how creative expression heals PTSD and other trauma-related conditions is still in its early stages, the healing opportunity is real and significant. Compared to other treatments and interventions, creative engagement is relatively inexpensive and can be made widely accessible through online resources and interactive solutions, as well as in-person community-based settings.
FREEDOM TO EXPLORE
Through our program we provide the time and materials so everyone can express their thoughts and emotions. We realize that simply coloring or painting is not enough or its not everyone's means of expression. That is why we provide other options of creative arts such as jewelry design, wood burning (pyrography), and even clay work. We support and help our Veterans to get inspired and tap into their inner artist. Many of our Veterans will usually start with one art sphere and furher do a smooth transition to another. Alex's Heart gives them the freedom to explore any form of art we offer. The enjoyment of a finished piece of art is the most satisfying for the Veteran and for our instructors.