A Wetaskiwin local is creating a new therapeutic space for residents within the City. Susan Spyker has opened Spyker Art Studio, where she will be offering counseling art therapy, creative wellness groups and dance and movement medicine both in person and online.
“I really feel like Wetaskiwin would benefit from a space that offers art workshops,” says Spyker.
A former recreation therapist in long-term care, and a recent graduate of her Masters of Psychotherapy and Spirituality with Art Therapy specialization program, Spyker found that, “arts was a way to reach people and engage people.”
Depending on the individual’s level of comfort, Spyker is offering online or in-person counseling, as well as group, family, or individual sessions.
“Sometimes creativity and skill changes as we age and seniors programs and individual therapy will support seniors in finding their self-confidence again and feel that they do still have talents. Art therapy supports persons through the ageing process including dementia, stroke, and cancer onset,” says Spyker. “Art therapy supports children through transition, educational challenges and ability differences. Art therapy is useful for acquired brain injury recovery or adjustment. It is also really useful for the caregiver, my final project focused on the romantic partner of a traumatic brain injury survivor.”
Spyker says that it is important to know that it doesn’t matter if you are a skilled artist or not, that all you need to do for art therapy is to create—and whatever it may be she will help to assist you in accessing the meaning from your art.
The art therapy in Spyker’s studio ranges from drawing and painting to molding, spirit doll making, poetry and nature-based therapy art such as eco-dying (dying of fabrics like wool with natural elements).
“Art becomes a third person,” says Spyker. “It has something to say so we engage with it and see what it has got to say to us. It comes from such a deep part.”
In the coming months Spyker will be hosting taster sessions, one hour long sample sessions for various forms of art therapy that she is offering, day time for seniors and evenings for families and others. Some of these sessions will include making collages, designing your own pokémon, family colouring sessions and for those who are really adventurous—movement sessions.
shaela.dansereau@pipestoneflyer.ca
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