How can we ascribe words to an experience of such profound magnitude?
How can we safely express the inexpressible?
How can we trust the artwork’s capacity to hold a voice which is so often unable to speak for itself?
I have witnessed first-hand, how art therapy can be a powerful means for exploring grief and it’s many ripples that flow freely…
Grief is tough ask and is as complex as it is multi layered, it’s deeply personal and often negatively impacts the quality of a person’s emotional, physical, and spiritual worlds. Art therapy can provide a safe outlet for an individual to express emotions that may be difficult to articulate with words alone; when safely explored in the holding nature of a trusted therapeutic relationship.
Art therapy can support the…
Expression of Emotions
Grief often involves a wide range of emotions that ebb and flow outside of one’s control. Sadness, anger, confusion, guilt, or even sometimes relief. Often, people may not have the words to describe their feelings and may feel overwhelmed by them. Art therapy can provide a safe space to express some of these emotions visually. I have experienced images being created, that have clients have said, represent their pain, their losses and memories of their loved one.
Gentle Processing of a Loss
The mere act of creating art can physically support an individual’s grieving process. The initially blank page can create a space for feelings and memories to be gently confronted. Whether by painting, drawing, sculpture, or collage; the act of creation can be meditative and provide a way to gradually acknowledge the depth of a loss.
Array of Complex Feelings
Grief often presents itself in a stormy whirlwind of emotion, or as gentle waft in the breeze - and everything in between. I have never experienced it following a neat linear path. I have however experienced art therapy in providing a safe way to explore and to begin to make sense of conflicting feelings, such as love and loss, anger and forgiveness, or relief and guilt.
A Sense of Control which is often given over to Grief
Very understandably grief is often ladled with feelings of helplessness or powerlessness, especially when the loss is sudden or unexpected. When everything we thought we could trust in the world changes, it is to be expected that our sense of who we are feels deeply jeopardised. Engaging in art therapy can provide someone a sense of agency at a time when they may feel most out of control. The very real act of creating something from raw materials can foster a visceral sense of accomplishment and empowerment, even if it’s just momentarily initially.
The Integration of Memories
Working with grief often involves trying to integrate their absence into one's life, in a way that honours the deceased yet still allows us to feel connected with them, in a now nonphysical manner. Creating art can support the building of a metaphorical bridge between the past and the present, giving credence to established memories yet still supporting the continuing ongoing bond with their now absence.
If you are considering working within art therapy, please choose your therapist carefully - ensuring they are registered with the HCPC. The Health and Care and Professions Council. Art therapy is a protected title in the UK, for very good reason as working with art in therapy, can be a powerful medium for growth, healing and nourishment.
If you are interested in working with me, I’d be delighted to hear from you. Please feel free to visit my website www.thesmallstudio.co.uk
Thank you for your time in reading this and if you are grieving - please try to be gentle with yourself, easier said than done, I know…
About Sarah
Sarah Edmonds is a qualified art psychotherapist who specializes in supporting individuals through bereavement, grief, and loss. With degrees in art therapy, fine art, and education, she provides a gentle and nurturing space for clients to process complex grieving through the creation of artwork. You can find out more about Sarah here.
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