Art Therapy and Leadership Development

Art therapy is a form of expressive therapy that uses the creative process of making art to improve a person’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The creative process involved in expressing one’s self artistically can help people to develop and manage their behaviours and feelings, reduce stress, improve self-esteem and awareness and resolve issues.

The language of visual arts – colours, shapes, lines and images – speaks to us in ways that words cannot. Art therapy is an approach that uses the non-verbal language of art for personal growth, insight and transformation. It is a means of connecting what’s inside of us – our thoughts, feelings and perceptions – with outer realities and life experiences. It is based on the belief that images can help us understand who we are and improve our well-being through self- expression.

Art therapy focuses on the process of making art, not the outcome, which frees participants to create without their internal critic slowing them down.

Art therapy in a leadership and team context

Art therapy in a leadership and team context adds other benefits as it contributes to building a stronger relational energy between group members. It allows people to show up more authentically as who they are, beyond their title and their role. This has a positive impact on connection and wellbeing that transfers directly back to the workplace.

Our workshop and retreat experiences involve mindfulness, mindful listening and art process. Each experience is customised to meet client requirements, based on themes or topics such as building resilience, strengthening connection, unleashing creativity or managing stress.

Results

The experiential and art-based processes we use facilitate reflection, encourage mindfulness and deepen self-awareness (depending on the focus of the session). The results for participants include:

new awareness and insight into you – who you are and what nourishes you
a connection and deepening relationship with your own creativity
a heightened connection with intuition and body wisdom
enhanced wellbeing and fulfilment
strengthened connection to self and each other, which sets in train the creation of a ‘web’ of support across the organisation that lasts well beyond the workshop
an increased level of psychological safety within the team context.

Our workshops and retreats offer learning experiences where authentic expression, connection and real change happens. They create the reflective environment that leaders and teams need to flourish. While drawing heavily upon art-based processes and mindfulness practices, programs are complemented with conventional coaching and facilitation techniques.

When leaders have a break from the constant barrage of stimulation and stress-producing thoughts of their daily work, they reconnect with their intuition and insight, which brings what truly matters back into focus. Decision making, a sense of community, relationships and leadership thrive; people feel a greater sense of belonging, and cultures are transformed. The business benefits as do individual and organisational wellbeing and performance. Art therapy is a highly effective way of complementing this process.

Ready to book a workshop or retreat?