Grounding Through Drawing: Art Making as an Emotional Regulation Intervention

Art therapy provides a nonverbal way for clients to express their authentic selves within a psychotherapeutic relationship. The creative process has many benefits such as self-awareness, increase of self-esteem, and providing mindfulness. Art making is beneficial for emotional regulation and grounding.

Through the process of making art, clients can connect to their bodies and sensory experience as they process trauma or uncomfortable feelings to reconnect to themselves. More information on the practice of Art Therapy here.

This presentation will provide an introductory overview of what art therapy is, its benefits, and best practices in using art making interventions. There will be experientials with the opportunity to learn how to use art making as an intervention for grounding and introspection.

Please note: The HPG workshop series is approved by the D.C. Board of Social Work for ten 1.5 hour workshops from Sept – June for a total of 15 CEUs if you attend all workshops. CEU certificates are emailed upon request in July. There is a requirement of 2 CEU credit hours or more for a certificate.

* This HPG presentation will be recorded. For those who would like to attend, but find that the time of the presentation doesn’t work with your schedule, you may signup and get the recording of the presentation afterwards.

$20 Drop-In Free | Free for HPG Members

About the presenters

Rebeca Carvajal is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) for Washington D.C., a Licensed Clinical Mental Health counselor in NC (LCMHC), and a Board Certified Registered Art Therapist (ATR-BC). Rebeca has her Masters of Arts in Art Therapy from The George Washington University and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Studio Art from Queens University of Charlotte. Art therapy provides an intersection of both of her passions: art making and community empowerment.

She is an immigrant from Costa Rica and enjoys working with the immigrant population. Rebeca recently moved to Charlotte, NC from Washington, D.C. Rebeca has provided individual therapy to adolescents and adults, open art studio community setting therapy with those experiencing homelessness, and school-based therapy with adolescents in Washington D.C. Rebeca has also taught therapeutic art classes at a community art center in Washington D.C. and has provided virtual stress management workshops to adults at job sites. Rebeca has experience co-creating community art project events by partnering with organizations such as libraries and laundromats. Currently Rebeca is a mental health therapist through The Viva Center in Washington D.C. and also practices art therapy in Charlotte, NC.

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