Art Therapy Helps Women
A new course by a local art therapist promises to help women get in touch with their creative side and improve their emotional wellbeing.
The Creative Empowered Women’s Program, run by Shannon Bush through Creative Possibility Art Therapy, is a five-month course with fortnightly sessions focusing on different values like acceptance and expressing yourself.
Ms Bush operates out of her home studio in Doubleview, which she says is a safe and encouraging environment. The course can be completed individually or in a group of up to four women.
“Usually, they have never met,” she said. “But they leave as good friends.”
Art therapy is a type of creative counseling that combines the traditional therapy of talking with the creation of artwork.
Ms Bush trained as a Registered Nurse and also worked in the corporate health sector before starting her art therapy business in 2006. She completed a Diploma in Transpersonal Art Thereapy at the IKON Institute, where she now lectures.
“I have always been creative,” Ms Bush said. “I’ve always drawn or painted or written, (and) been interested in photography.”
“In my first semester of nursing I came across art therapy, and I found a way to combine my creativity with helping people.”
The former Edith Cowan University student had always used art to gain clarity in her own life, and now helps others do the same.
She told 3rd Degree that her sessions help women forge a better relationship with themselves and find creative freedom.
“I teach them creative strategies and tools to value themselves, and help them identify their brilliance and uniqueness.”
Ms Bush describes her average client as a professional woman between 20 and 50 years of age who wants to make changes in her life.
In addition to the Creative Empowered Women’s Program, Bush also does one-on-one creative coaching where a specialised program is tailored to the individual’s wants and needs.
