Lesson 9

Art and Emotional Healing (Interview with Alyee Willets)

Art ministers can help people re-frame the way they experience their life.
This lesson addresses the link between art and healing that occurs between an art minister and those they serve.
Youre probably heard the common assertion that significant emotional release occurs during creative endeavors. Is this reputation valid, or just hopeful thinking on the part of artists? In this weeks lesson we will more
closely examine the link between art and emotional healing.
Before trying to help others: Examine your own emotions first. Its a bit like putting on your own oxygen
mask first in an airplaine so you can think clearly to help others. The intentional practice of feeling teaches us to
become more sensitive to the emotions of others. In addition, knowing our own tendencies (self-awareness) will
reduce the effect of countertransferencethe risk of misplacing your own emotions onto the person you wish to
help while not recongnizing or addressing your own pain, dysfunctions, or areas that need healing.
We will now move into our own emotions and art experiences. The two questions below are FOR YOUR OWN
USE, not to share or to turn in. Please pray and then answer the following two questions in writing:
1. Have you ever used the arts or writing to express or process pain, either emotional or physical? What did you
do? How did you feel? Who were you with? Describe it briefly, either here or in your journal (not to share):

2. Is there anywhere you think art just cannot go? Why or why not? Be honest. (Not to share, just for you.)

Please read the paper on the following two pages, What Does Psychology Say about Art and Healing?

Lesson 9

Art and Emotional Healing (Interview with Alyee Willets)

What Does Psychology Say about Art and Healing?

By Alyee Willets
with Jessie Nilo
Serving people who create artwork requires a heightened awareness of emotions and the various causes of
emotions, as well as the awareness that emotions may be raw or subconscious to the artist themselves.
If youre called to help others process their emotions through the arts, or if you wish to train others in doing
so, you will minister more effectively if each of you first asks yourself what emotions you feel when looking at
a given piece of art. Along with prayer and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, cultivating deliberate self-awareness
will give you, as a servant, a gut-instinct about the emotions of the person who created the work. It will also
give you a potential starting point for responding to the originator of the artwork, including questions you
might be led to ask the artist. Be especially aware of any triggers or biases you may have yourself, and make
sure to stay out of the way when helping others navigate through their own sensitive, meaningful situations.
According to psychological researchers F. Thompson and J. Allan (1987), art often reflects the unconscious
mind and emotional experiences, as well as a persons inner needs and wishes. A piece of art can be thought
of as a mirror, reflecting the emotions held by the artist. Symbols or shading techniques can represent much
more than what meets the eye, regardless of an artists ability or willingness to verbalize a deeper meaning.
Consider this kind of visual connecting point a holy moment, a God-opportunity in which ministry can occur.
Identifying, observing, admiring, and/or discussing artistic symbols or techniques out loud with an artist can
make room for a deeper conversation to occur that may not have taken place had the artwork itself not been
present. In this way, art acts as bridge between two strangers, forming a common ground that transcends
limitations of solely verbal language.
Because there are so many ways for emotions and experiences to be expressed in art, it can be very helpful to
examine the content itselfbut only if the artist is very open to discussing the image in detail. Furth (1988)
recommends that ministers look for what is odd or missing from the image as a conversation point. Also pay
attention to attributes such as size, proportions, shape distortion, repeated objects, perspective, emphasis,
shading, and colors chosen. Although artists may not be aware of it, often times these choices are made subconsciously and may connect to a deeper memory or meaning than what is actually portrayed on the image.
Much more important than the interpretation of symbols or colors, however, is a ministers awareness of the
artist. The person made in Gods image remains our primary concern, and it behooves us all to remember that
artwork is often misinterpreted, no matter how much experience we may have!
Keep observations factual, not leading: I see that you painted the sky yellow is an open door the artist can
choose to walk through or not. Craft open-ended questions while paying close attention to the artists present
emotions. Avoid guessing at what objects are supposed to be, possible representations, or the meaning of visual
imagery. A misguided guess can often hurt the artist more than no comment at all.
Its also important not to generalize what you may perceive to be a universal symbol in a personts artwork.
Instead, ask the artist what the symbol means to them. A skull may symbolize death in one culture or background, and life or holiness in another.

Lesson 9

Art and Emotional Healing (Interview with Alyee Willets)

(continued on next page)

Awareness of the artist means being perceptive of the artists body language during the creation of their art:
Is the person frantically painting, portraying anger or frustration? Are they painting the same spot over and
over again while their eyes brim with tears? Do they appear nervous, afraid, or discouraged?
Its common for someone who is attempting art for the first time (or after a long absence) to shake uncontrollably or cry in confronting their art materials. Pray silently for them. If it seems likely theyll be receptive, you
might ask permission to offer a gentle (and very short) prayer audibly, which youll say while keeping your
eyes open and alert. Be ready to gently usher the person through this painful process, even if it means just
sitting with the art supplies if thats all they can manage in this attempt. Simply be available, pray silently, and
give the situation to God. You can suggest, but never pressure or force a person to make art, especially if they
feel overwhelmed or panicked, and especially if you are not certified in art therapy.
(NOTE: Do not call any interactions therapy unless its led by a certified therapist. Instead, you can word
your invitations using other phrases that convey hope, emotional healing, renewal, expression, etc.)
Its important to give people optional opportunities to express how they felt and to explain their creations
if they wish, above all else (Thompson and Allan, 1987). And because artists may not be ready or willing to
describe how they felt when creating a piece, ministers need to remember that artists themselves should
drive these interactions. Pushing an artist too far too fast can be detrimental and leave the artist feeling raw
and exposed, without proper resources or follow-up provided. Be slow to speak, quick to listen, and trust the
promptings of the Holy Spirit. Remember to keep this about THEM. Do not interrupt with your own story!
Finally, please remember that you are nobodys Savior. It is not your job to heal. Remember Who youre
working for. Offer a pathway and let others approach potential healing in their own timing, by their own
free will. More than the love of people, let the love of Christ be your central motivation, because 1) there will
be difficult days and 2) you cannot fix people. Even Christ could have, but did not, heal every person who
lived in the land where He walked. People can easily frustrate and perplex us while were diligently serving
them. If you keep the Lord as your central motive to serve, people will never be able to disappoint you.
Think of some ways for people around you to respond to and interact with their emotions through the arts.
You can be a firsthand witness to the ultimate beauty of life transformations. Even better, youll get to love people who need Gods healing presence, and then watch God move. We pray the people you serve will experience
not only the emotional healing they need, but the Lord Himself and we pray theyll long for more intimacy
with the only One who loves them perfectly.

References
Furth, G. M. (1988). The Secret World of Drawings: Healing through Art. Boston: Sigo Press.
Stuckey, H. L., & Nobel, J. (2010). The Connection Between Art, Healing, and Public Health: Review of Current Literature. American Journal of Public Health, 100(2), 254.
Thompson, F., & Allan, J. (1987). Common Symbols of Children in Art Counseling. Guidance & Counselling, 2, 24-32