Imagine you are driving in your car, cooking in your kitchen or surfing the Internet when your favorite song from five or 10 years ago plays on the radio. You are instantly transported back to the memories from that time in your life. At times, you can almost re-live the feelings, sights, sounds and smells related to that time. This common memory recall process can be achieved through other experiences as well - like making art.

In the 1940s, the field of art therapy was introduced. Art therapy combines the facilitated exploration of inner thoughts, feelings and emotions with the expressive use of art materials. During an art therapy session, a therapist engages the creative process as a means to help clients work through issues that have challenged them in their lives or that have held them back from being fully able to enjoy life.

Art therapy is used in both clinical and non-clinical settings. The aim is to promote health, develop creativity and to enhance quality of life. According to the American Art Therapy Association, “It (art therapy) is based on the belief that the creative process involved in artistic self-expression helps people to resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve insight.#” For more information on the American Art Therapy Association, visit www.arttherapy.org.

Art therapy can help people focus on the process of creation rather than the end art product. Even if you have no formal art experience or training, art therapy can be a useful way to help express feelings and begin the healing process. One objective of art therapy is to help clients bring about change and personal development in a safe environment with the use of art materials. This method of treatment can be beneficial for a large range of ages from child to older adult.

Many art therapists have heard from clients, “I#'m not an artist. ... I can#'t draw. ... How can art therapy help me?#” The response is that the creative process or making art can connect individuals to raw emotions very quickly. Art therapy can be a used to communicate with your psyche and help unlock stored memories. It is not the job of an art therapist to interpret a work of art. Instead an art therapist helps individuals become empowered through self expression.

Just as a favorite song can cause you to have intentional thoughts from your past, working with an art therapist can be an engaging process. The creation is not just about “end product.” Often the creation is more about the quality of the message rather than its final expression.

Jeanine Eckenrode holds a masters degree in art therapy from Nazareth College in Rochester. She currently works at Cayuga Community College in the Student Development Office.

If you go

What: Exploring Art Through The Senses

When: Free introductory session from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 12; series

continues at the same time on the following three Saturdays

Where: The Center, 1 Hoffman St., Auburn

Cost: $70

To register: Call 704-0319 or e-mail mah@TheCenter4Wellness.com

For more information: Visit

The Center online at www.TheCenter4Wellness.com