During individual Mindful Art sessions, Sarah listens to your thoughts and feelings regarding pregnancy, birth and motherhood and guides you with a solution-focussed mindset through purposeful drawing assignments. Here, you are encouraged to explore the changes in your life, to express and reflect on all kinds of emotions as they arise, to find meaning in the questions you may have and to gain strength and calm from the Mindful Art process.

After the birth of your child, Mindful Art sessions help you reflect on your experiences of motherhood, explore your new sense of self as well as alternative ways of managing challenging situations and emotions. The art making process functions not only as a mirror of the self but more importantly offers tools to make change happen – on paper and in life!

Mindful Art sessions are especially helpful for women who struggle with one or a few specific aspects of motherhood, pregnancy or their birth experience and who would like to target their unresolved feelings and conflicts with a solution-focused mindset.

If you feel a little apprehensive about diving into making art, Mindful Art will offer you a gentle way to get acquainted with the power of the creative process. Sarah will offer guidance through themes and prompts and you’ll experience drawing as a tool for exploration and reflection. 

 What is the difference between Mindful Art and Art Therapy?

Both Mindful Art and Art Therapy have healing aspects and serve the wellbeing of the client.

While Art Therapy, like any other kind of psychotherapy, benefits from the commitment to regular attendance over a specific period of time, Mindful Art sessions can be booked sporadically.

Mindful Art sessions are solution-focussed and whilst the mentor can have a background in Art Therapy, the client-mentor relationship is not therapeutical. Mindful Art sessions are directive, which means that the mentor will give prompts and ask questions in order to empower the client to find their own answers and resources in regards to a specific problem.

Art Therapy is mainly non-directive which means that although the client and therapist may have agreed on specific goals or areas that need more contemplation, understanding and integration, the client will decide what materials and subject matter they want to explore in each and every session. Free association and reflection accompany and complete the sessions.

Art therapists are highly qualified and have both broad and specific clinical knowledge. The psychodynamic approach understands the importance of the artwork and that it needs to be kept safe during the time of the therapy. In Mindful Art sessions, the art work is a tool for communication only and is usually not revisited. It can be taken home or discarded at the end of each session.

While there is no contract needed for Mindful Art sessions, the art therapist and client will agree on a contract for the art therapy. The contract will set guidelines for the therapy, such as attendance, confidentiality, art usage and storage, goals and objectives, and informed consent.

Why have Art Therapy during pregnancy and after the birth of a child?

During pregnancy, women undergo drastic changes both on a physical and psychological level as they prepare for birth and motherhood. First time mom or not, they have embarked on a journey that brings tremendous changes both to their being and environment. As they grow a new sense of self, renegotiate roles, relationships, duties, priorities, and dreams at home, work, and in society, they now also care 24/7 for an(other) small human being that shakes them up in manifold ways and challenges their resources, beliefs, expectations, and best intentions. How can Art Therapy be of support in this particularly transformational phase of their life?

Art Therapy offers a non-judgmental space in which all sorts of feelings and thoughts are allowed t take shape in a contained and safe way. Held by the triangular relationship of the therapist, artwork and client, new or yet-to-be-defined images of oneself and others can be explored in a confidential and reliable environment. Art-making helps relieve stress and anxiety and to reconnect with inner resources, bringing relaxation and joy.

“Art therapy, facilitated by a professional art therapist, is used to improve cognitive and sensorimotor functions, foster self-esteem and self-awareness, cultivate emotional resilience, promote insight, enhance social skills, reduce and resolve conflicts and distress […],” further explains the American Art Therapy Association.

Self-esteem, resilience, and a relaxed state of mind are crucial for meditating other difficulties associated with new motherhood, such as more positive interactions with their children and a better ability for self-care.