What is Art Therapy?
Art therapy is a form of expressive therapy that integrates art and the creative process as a way to support mental, emotional, and physical well-being for individuals, families, or communities. It may sometimes be perceived from the outside as just an art class. However, creative therapies have been demonstrated to support individuals when faced with a variety of different life challenges or experiences.
Our Approach to Art Therapy
Art therapy sessions are highly individualized to meet each client's specific needs. Some common art-making experiences include:
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Collage making
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Sculpting
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Painting
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Drawing
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During these activities, the art therapist plays a crucial role by guiding the experience and offering observations within a relational context. Additionally, post-art-making elements often include counseling and personal reflection to further support the client's therapeutic journey.
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What happens in art therapy is up to the client, but supported in collaboration with the art, the therapist, and the therapeutic space. Sometimes we paint, sometimes we talk. At times we play around or learn a new skill. Other times we get messy or make incomplete art.
Benefits of Art Therapy for
Long-Term Care Residents
Art therapy benefits individuals of all ages, including those dealing with:
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Low self-esteem
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Trauma
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Depression
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Anxiety
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Eating disorders
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Grief and loss
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Art therapists work with children, teenagers, adults, and older adults in a variety of settings to address each individual's goals.​
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Clients don't need any prior art experience to benefit from art therapy; it's a playful, sensory, and therapeutic process that focuses less on the end result and more on the experience itself.
How Our Process Works
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Book Your Free Consultation
In our 15-minute consultation, we'll work together to figure out your home and residents' needs. We'll also take a look at what resources and spaces are available as well as which of our avaialble packages can suit your needs. This helps us set clear goals and work within your budget.
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Find the Right Art Therapist
All of our certified art therapists are experienced with older adults and long-term care. We'll help you connect with one of our available team members who can visit your home and aligns with your needs. We'll collaborate to design a tailored program, schedule sessions, and create a comfortable setting in your facility.
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Implement and Monitor the Program
As we roll out the program, we'll keep an eye on the impact it has on your residents. We'll adjust things as needed based on their feedback and the results we see, ensuring that the art therapy program we've put in place enhances their quality of life.
Powered by Certified Art Therapists
Mollia May
Lead Art Therapist
​Art Therapists at Miya Creative Care have completed or are in the process of completing an art therapy program that meets the Canadian Art Therapy Association's education standards, including a master's degree or equivalent education combined with clinical training.
Packages
Discover your perfect package! Our customized care partnerships offer a certified art therapist, in-service for your team, individual and group sessions, documentation, specialized programs, and a yearly talent show for your entire community.
Drop-In
Weekly group sessions.
Half-Day
Group sessions, 1 to 1 sessions, and documentation.
Full-Day +
Group, 1 to 1, specialty programs, yearly talent show, documentation and more.
More About MCC
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How can our organization get started with a care partnership with MIYA Creative Care?Initiating a care partnership with MIYA Creative Care is simple and seamless. Reach out to our team through the contact information provided on our website, and we will schedule a consultation to discuss your organization's specific needs, goals, and preferences. Together, we will design a creative arts therapy program that aligns with your vision and enhances the well-being of your residents or patients. We always begin partnerships with an in-service presentation for your team, a referral form, and ensuring clarity along the way.
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How does MIYA Creative Care ensure that its therapists integrate as part of our care team?At MIYA Creative Care, we ensure that our therapists seamlessly integrate as part of your care team by selecting individuals who align with your values and specific needs. Through open communication and collaboration, our therapists become an integral part of your organization, fostering a cohesive approach to care. Each of our therapists is assigned a Clinical Lead who helps to guide them and provide support, sometimes visiting on-site. Moreover, we encourage our therapists can take part in your team's care meetings, documentation and collaborative events. Our referral system and experience with documentation help to provide clear communication tools with the greater care team.
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How can creative arts therapies benefit residents and patients in various settings?Music therapy, art therapy and dance/movement therapy have been shown to have profound positive effects on individuals in care settings. These therapies can help reduce feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression while fostering a sense of community and self-expression. Engaging in music, art, and movement therapy can also stimulate cognitive function, reduce challenging behaviours and provide an avenue for emotional release and processing.
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What types of creative arts therapies does MIYA Creative Care offer through its care partnerships?At MIYA Creative Care, our care partnerships include a range of creative arts therapies, such as music therapy, art therapy, and dance-movement therapy. Our team of certified therapists are well-versed in integrating these modalities to cater to the diverse needs and preferences of individuals in care settings.
What Our Clients Have to Say
Bring Art Therapy to Your Long-Term Care Home
Regardless of previous artistic experience, art-making is a powerful tool for individuals to share, honour, and embrace a meaningful experience when investing in their well-being and health. To find out more about art therapy, book a free consultation to learn more about how our care partnerships programs can bring art therapy into your long-term care home.