Art therapy - the meaning and the work of two registered BCAT art Therapists

Doretea Deng

As an artist, my love for cultures, travel and the arts led and inspired me to work in Tanzania, Thailand, Bosnia, Hungary, and Croatia, exploring social, economic, class, ethnicity, and gender topics. I have witnessed the power of the arts to; transform, unite, empower, heal, give internal and external insight, and to educate. 

Art is a universal language that surpasses verbal dialects, culture, religion, race, classes, and gender. It can explore and communicate difficult subjects to challenge our views and ourselves.  As they say, ‘A picture is worth a thousand words’ and it is these reasons I was led to study Art Psychotherapy. With every client-patient experience I provided culturally sensitive personalized art therapy, both directive and non-directive experiences to meet each of my clients and group’s needs. Art therapy enables individuals to tell their stories, express often traumatic and difficult emotions through their artwork, when words are not enough. 

I feel and am privileged to go on the journey with them and be a witness to their story and transformation.