Art Therapy

An art therapist uses the creative process to help people enhance wellbeing of the body, mind, and spirit.

Art Therapy is an integrated mental health profession that uses art media and often verbal processing of art produced to help people achieve personal goals. Art Therapy in the outpatient setting at Magee Riverfront includes complimenting rehabilitation goals by engaging the whole brain through the creative process. In the process to achieve the most function level of physical and cognitive abilities, consider the mind-body connection. Art Therapy has been researched and shown to alleviate stress, reduce pain, increase control, resolve conflicts, increase self-awareness and self-esteem to achieve insight.

Additional benefits include:
• Promotes self-expression and relaxation
• Promotes management of pain (physical and/or emotional)
• Reduces stress and/or anxiety
• Increase self-esteem and coping skills
• Compliments physical, occupational, and speech therapy goals by working on fine motor skills and cognitive stimulation via communication in sessions
• Provides a creative outlet through art making process

Images are a bridge between the mind and body that influences how the brain functions, and physiological and emotional changes in the body. Art Therapy is for everyone who seeks personal development, by making art based on you and your experiences, within your abilities. Art therapy heals, induces natural relaxation and means learning more about the relationship between self, other and the world.

Art therapy is a master’s level profession where therapists are trained as clinicians to assess and treat for a person’s physical, mental and emotional well-being.

Training includes:
• Psychological theory
• Clinical training
• Human development and research
• Cultural, historical and spiritual art traditions
• Art practice

Before starting art therapy, know that a background in art is not required. This service is provided free of charge to Magee inpatients and Health and Wellness Center members. It is available fee-for-service to outpatients. For more on this program and to engage in the supportive role of creativity and art in your life, please contact:

Katie Durr, ATR-BC, LPC
Art Therapist
Magee Riverfront
1500 S. Columbus Blvd.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
215-218-3900
katie.durr@jefferson.edu