Art of self-care: Art therapy groups - In-person

Are you a Concordia student feeling overwhelmed by the demands of academic life, the upcoming exam season, or the pressures that come with being a student?

This six-week drop-in art therapy group is designed to support students in navigating challenges of stress, anxiety, self-care, and mindfulness through artistic expression.

Throughout these sessions, you will participate in art therapy interventions and engage in discussions led by an art therapy student. The art therapy student will offer prompts, themes, and directives to guide and inspire the creative process and facilitate group discussion to provide therapeutic support surrounding themes of grounding, mindfulness, self-soothing, self-compassion, reconnecting with the body, resilience, and gratitude.

The goals of this art therapy group are to foster personal growth and resilience while building coping skills for anxiety and stress.

All are welcome and no prior artistic experience is needed. 

What is art therapy?

Art therapy is a form of therapy that uses the creative process of art-making to help individuals express their thoughts, emotions, and experiences in a therapeutic way. When words are difficult, art therapy can provide a non-verbal and visual means of communication, allowing participants to explore and understand their feelings and thoughts in a supportive environment. Art therapy can be a powerful tool for self-discovery, self-expression, and personal growth, making it a valuable approach to addressing a wide range of psychological and emotional issues.

Facilitator

This group will be facilitated by Jennifer Lee, a second-year Art Therapy (MA) student at Concordia. She also holds a BFA in Studio Arts and Psychology and GrCert in Play Therapy. She is passionate about using art-making and play as accessible media for children, youth, and students to work through mental illnesses and trauma in clinical and community settings. Her passions include the arts; mental health advocacy; psychoeducation; research; and community work.