Art therapy can have a potent healing effect. Pamela Hayes describes it as having “provided some of my clients with clarity and the strength to change their lives. In other instances, Art Therapy has moved people through the grief process. I have even seen art diagnosis my clients with medical problems.“
Pamela Hayes is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) and a Board Certified Art Therapist with the American Art Therapy Association (AATA – www.arttherapy.org).
Some of you may know Pamela by her twitter handle @Hayesarttherapy and/or her website Hayes ART Therapy.
So without further ado, Pamela, could you describe a bit of your background?
I have been an Art Therapist for 18 years, and currently I have a private practice where I see children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. My clients have issues ranging from depression and anxiety to addictions and abuse.
In addition I travel throughout the United States giving workshops, seminars and lectures on Art Therapy. More recently, I started providing “webinars” on Art Therapy and various topics, which are seminars conducted on the internet – where people can earn continuing educational credits from the comfort of their home or office.
Prior to going into private practice, I worked in a psychiatric hospital, residential treatment and foster care, schools, elderly daycare, a methadone clinic and a prison. As you can see, Art Therapy is applicable to many populations and age groups.
I have authored two books. One is an illustrated childrens’ book about a child who uses art to help her through the grief of losing a pet. The other is a coloring book.
I have also produced two training DVDs on Art Therapy. I am the Chairperson of the Scholarship Committee for the American Art Therapy Association. That gives me an opportunity to promote and encourage the next generation of Art Therapist.
In terms of my training, I attended a 2 year graduate program accredited by the American Art Therapy Association (AATA) and I graduated from Notre Dame de Numar, in Belmont, CA in 1992. Following graduation I completed my post-graduate work while supervised by an Art Therapist, and then I sat for the board exam.
I am also licensed as a Marriage Family Therapist (MFT) in California, licensed as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), and I am a provider for continuing education units (CEU) throughout the United States.
by Pamela and her 6 yr old daughter (2001)
What made you decide to specifically focus on art therapy?
I was first introduced to the idea of Art Therapy when I was a teenager in Shaker Heights, Ohio. I have always been artistic, and my high school art teacher, Mr. Hoffman, took our entire class on a field trip.
He brought us to a gallery exhibit of artwork done, not by artists, but by people suffering from migraine headaches. I was entranced by the creative representation of their pain. It never before occurred to me that art and medicine could be so interwoven.
Although I continued my artistic path to Parsons School of Design in NYC, where I had dreams of a career as a graphic designer, I remained interested in the idea of “art as therapeutic.” I fell in love with painting, drawing and sculpting, so I abandoned my commercial art pursuit, and completed my studies as a fine artist.
After graduating with a BFA, it occurred to me that I had set myself up to live the life of a “starving artist” – something that made me very nervous. I worked in galleries – in New York City, Los Angeles and San Francisco. For a few years, I even worked in art restoration.
As a Christmas gift one year, my roommate gave me a calendar that was put together by Napa State Hospital. Each week had a photograph of artwork that was created by the patients – some drawings, some sculptures and some paintings.
This simple appointment book reignited my original interest in Art Therapy – even though, at this point, I had no idea this was an actual field of study or a feasible career. On the back of this calendar was a name and a number. I took a risk, and called – I said to her, “I want to do what you do. How do I do that?”
She graciously talked to me about Art Therapy programs and careers. Within a week, I quite my gallery job, applied to Notre Dame de Namur University’s Art Therapy graduate program, and after almost 20 years in this field, I have never been disappointed with that choice.
What aspects of art therapy do you find the most enjoyable?
I am passionate about giving people another way to communicate. Speaking is not our only language. We can say so much more when we have multiple levels of communication.
I have seen art can reduce anxiety. I have seen art decrease depression. Art Therapy has provided some of my clients with clarity and the strength to change their lives. In other instances, Art Therapy has moved people through the grief process. I have even seen art diagnosis my clients with medical problems.
Finally, it has changed my life because it has taken my two passions – art and psychology – and given me a career. I love my role as an Art Therapist (notice I always capitalize Art Therapy – because I feel that much respect towards the field). I feel that I connect with people in a way that is real, genuine and helpful.
Watercolor painting by Pamela and her daughter
What aspects of art therapy do you find the most challenging?
I get frustrated that I have to constantly define what Art Therapy is and prove and re-prove that it is a legitimate field.
When I first meet someone and they ask me “What do you do?”, I always pause. Do I have the energy to go into all the explanations required to answer that seemingly benign question from a stranger? People have made some very interesting assumptions:
- Therapy for Artists?
- Therapy at a museum?
- You must work only with children…
I have had to prove again and again that Art Therapy has affective and qualitative results.
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) refuses to recognize the importance of Art Therapy, and has denied any Art Therapy classes, seminars or lectures the continuing education units for PhDs.
I have provided the APA with legitimate studies from institutes like UCLA where Art Therapy has significantly enhanced the life of people suffering with multiple mental disorders.
BUT, that challenge is also what makes me LOVE being an Art Therapist so much. I get to be a pioneer in the field. Art Therapy provides me with something significantly unique that sets me apart from all other Marriage and Family Therapist, Social Workers and other counselors.
Is the primary use/motivation for art therapy to help clients process traumatic experiences and/or is it used for other mental health objectives?
That is one way to use Art Therapy, but there are so many other layers to this field. I have used Art Therapy in many different settings and with many different populations.
I have worked in residential and foster care with children, adolescents and families with issues related to abuse and neglect (including sexual abuse and physical abuse), and in this case the Art Therapy did help these children process through their victimization.
But, I have also worked in psychiatric hospitals with suicidal adolescents and destructive and self-injurious children. In this case, Art Therapy provides the patients with long-term goals, which is what any suicidal person needs. It also provides a few moments of distraction from their inner turmoil.
I have worked in the public school system with at-risk children and learning disabled children. In this case Art Therapy bypasses all the defenses that often inhibit these students from expressing their fears and anger. Engaging in the art process can be a way to sublimate that anger in a safe and non-destructive way (pounding on a lump of clay or ripping paper for a collage can be safer but just as satisfying as breaking a window or punching someone).
I have worked with the grief stricken who have suffered numerous losses, and art can be a way to remember and commemorate what is going but what they still cherish.
I have worked in an Alzheimer’s day clinic with elderly. In this case Art Therapy allows them to engage with the art materials and with others in a non-verbal way. It helps people feel connected and provides a way to enhance self-esteem. They follow directions, learn a new skill, and complete a task in an esthetically pleasing way.
Drawing by 43 y drug addicted, incarcerated (f) client
I have worked at a Methadone clinic with heroin addicts. Art Therapy is amazing with addicts, because they do not have the ability to lie about their feeling or their intentions. The message becomes more real and honest.
I have used Art Therapy with myself when I have felt overwhelmed, scared, angry, confused, lost and sick.
Can you share a mini case example of how you have worked with an unidentified client through art therapy?
Just yesterday, I was working with an eight year-old girl, we will call her Brandy, who has a diagnosis of Reactive Attachment Disorder. That means that she is characterized by markedly disturbed and developmentally inappropriate ways of relating socially in most contexts.
I have been working with her for almost three years, and Brandy has made great advances, but it had been almost a month since I had last seen her, and she does not do well with new situations. Brandy also has a hard time when her adoptive mother compliments her behavior and speaks of all the positive changes she has made.
As her mother was catching me up on the past month, Brandy became more and more upset. She picked up my toys and held them over her head as if threatening to throw them. She jumped up on my lap and tried to bite me. I reminded her that if she bit me, threw my toys or intentionally broke anything there would be consequences.
Brandy made good choices, but was still upset. I directed her to my art table where I showed her an example of the art project she was going to do – a small glass bottle that was filled with layers of different colored sand. Brandy yelled that she wanted to choose the activity, didn’t want to make my stupid art project, and again threatened to smash the glass bottle.
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Brandy’s Sand Bottle
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I was worried for a moment there, but I could tell that she really did want to use the sand and create her own beautiful bottle. As she started choosing the colors, her breathing slowed, her shoulders relaxed and her voice softened. Brandy became so focused that she spent thirty-five minutes selecting the colored sand, and carefully pouring it into the bottle – making very little mess.
Throughout the process I complimented her on the choices that she was making – leaving that open to interpretation of a) choices of sand color or b) choices of being calm verses aggressive and destructive. Brandy carefully carried that glass bottle, now layered with beautiful sand, out to the car so it would not be damaged. As she left, Brandy asked if she could make another one next week.
The creative process has a way of calming our aggressive behavior, focusing our awareness on the present, and enhancing our self-esteem.
Here’s one other example…Last month I was running a grief group for women. I was having them make a “loss collage”. “Lexi”, a 53 year old who’s husband had died of cancer, asked if her collage should be a memorial to her husband, about her relationship with her husband before he died or about how she feels now about the loss. I explained that was for her to decide.
Lexi left the room several times – to go to the bathroom- to make a phone call – she was very resistant to starting the collage. Lexi later explained to the group that she was scared to bring up all the feelings. She was scared she would get stuck in the sad and not be able to get out. After she finally started, Lexi worked on that collage for over an hour.
As Lexi shared her collage with the group, she explained that she was really surprised by the process and the collage itself. It was not a sad collage at all. In fact, there were pictures of smiling, active people hiking and kayaking. Also included were pictures of pets and gourmet food and wine.
Lexi’s Grief CollageLexi had been stuck in the loss so deeply that she had forgotten all the great experiences that she and her husband had shared. Lexi realized that she loved her husband so much and they had a great life together. After completion of the collage and discussion that followed, Lexi felt better, lighter and even joy and contentment.
How is working in art therapy what you thought it would be and/or not what you expected?
I love being an Art Therapist. I am constantly amazed by what art teaches my clients and what my clients teach me.
After 18 years, I am still upset by the fact that this field in NOT covered by insurance. In these times of economic struggles, many people are cutting back.
When someone’s mental health needs are not covered by insurance, they have to make choices that may not be best for their mental health. I am sad to say that many clients have to make the choice between what may be best for them and what they can afford.
Finally, what career advice would you offer upcoming MSW graduate students interested in pursuing a career art therapy?
If ANYONE is slightly interested in the field of Art Therapy, I highly suggest they go straight for the Art Therapy degree. I cannot tell you how many people have told me that they regret not following that dream.
There is no reason why students cannot get degrees in the mental health field AND Art Therapy. The reason that students have an interest in Art Therapy is that they intuitively know that art is therapeutic. “Go with your instincts!”
Thanks so much, Pamela, for taking the time to provide us with this fascinating glimpse of the art therapy world.
As always, please feel free to ask any questions or make any comments. Your feedback is most appreciated 🙂
Thanks for sharing this! We have an art therapist at our agency, and it’s so great to see what she does. Prior to working with her, I would have thought of art therapy as being something really more for kids, but she ran a painting group for parents that was very successful. It was nice to have a group run that allowed the parents to focus on themselves for once.
I get teased at work because of my obsession with using play-doh in sessions with the kids, but it’s so effective, especially for kids with ADHD and other attention issues. It’s creative enough to keep their interests, while also being sensory and physical, and it’s an activity that can be broken down into steps–first we decide what we’re making, then we pick what colors we need, etc. The glass bottle activity reminded me of this.
How wonderful that you have an art therapist at your agency and that you are able to incorporate some art therapy in your own work with children!
What you are doing with the play-doh with the kids sounds great:)
While I haven’t taken any classes (yet) in art therapy, I remember employing art in a therapeutic manner for one of the sessions when I was working with my group of pregnant mothers.
I had brought in various magazines and pictures so that they could make an inspirational type of collage – one that illustrated the positive things that they envisioned doing for themselves while they were pregnant and/or things that made them feel good/happy.
Thanks so much for sharing some of your therapeutic work with art,
Dorlee
Thanks for sharing your work with us, especially such rich, wonderful images! I would love to track down the studies that you mentioned to share both with some of our students and to take on skeptics. Is there any chance you can share those citations with us?
If you could email me directly at Pamela@hayesarttherapy.com I will forward you the APA defense letter that includes all the cited studies. Thanks for asking,
Pamela
Hi Pamela,
Your beautiful work is inspiring me… I’m thinking now of perhaps trying to use a bit of art therapy in the process of my termination with a few of my clients at my placement as a way to help them express their feelings about my leaving and/or about how they feel they have changed/grown.
Specifically, I’m thinking of bringing in some scrapbooking type of materials (pictures as well as various words, symbols).
And perhaps I could make something for them as well…
What do you think of this idea? Do you have any suggestions/advice in this regard?
Thanks,
Dorlee
I think that is a great idea. My advice: Do not try to interpret someone else’s art. You must ask them the right questions in order for them to understand their own process and subconscious motivation.
You may want to check out some of my webinars or DVDs as instruction and guidance http://www.hayesarttherapy.com/index.html).
Keep up the good work.
Thank you very much for sharing your experience in this field! I am an MSW graduate student and have always had an interest in creative expression. I hope that the field of Art Therapy continues to strengthen and encourage counselors to incorporate art therapy into their work with clients. Thanks!!
I believe that this field continues to grow and be recognized by others as legitimate. It is very exciting.