Henry Ford once stated, “Whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re right.”
Addiction recovery is all about perception – anyone can go through the motions and attend all of the recovery components, but only those who truly wish to find success in recovery, succeed. Holistic approaches have become more common in addiction recovery treatment, primarily because it works well with medicine; as your mind and body heal from the addiction, holistic practices such as acupuncture, massage therapy, writing therapy, and art therapy provide you with a chance to delve deep inside yourself – to uncover some of your deepest fears and wishes so that you can move forward a stronger, more capable you.
Art therapy is explained by the American Art Therapy Association as an approach that utilizes creative processes such as drawing, painting, sculpture and more to help clients “explore their feelings, reconcile emotional conflicts, foster self-awareness, manage behavior and addictions, develop social skills,” and more. Whether you’ve tried art therapy or not, here are 5 excellent projects to get started on:
- Paint a mountain and a valley. With this piece, imagine the mountains represent your “high” points – moments where you felt happy and safe. The valley should represent your lowest points – moments where things weren’t going your way, or moments where things weren’t going well. Paint or draw other things on the painting to represent how all of these life events have come together to form your life.
- Draw yourself as a tree. While this might sound silly, trees represent strength, growth, and wisdom. Ground yourself in this way by imagining your roots stretching all the way down into the earth, and your body going up towards the sun as you embrace life.
- Create a collage of your worries. Sometimes our thoughts can flood in and overwhelm us, taking us away from the present moment. Allow yourself to draw out everything that’s on your mind and let it stay on the page; this is a wonderful way to let go of some worries and put your mind at ease.
Everyone’s story begins before treatment. Through intensive, individualized trauma care, everyone’s story can change. At The Guest House Ocala, you’re welcomed with open arms, no matter your story. We’re here to help you find healing. For information on our concierge level of customization and programs for the recovery from trauma, addictions, and related mental health issues, call us today: 855-483-7800