Art therapy provides an outlet when words fail to express our thoughts and emotions. Creating art is proven to be a relaxing activity to many and it may impact your overall mental health positively when done right.
Art therapy is designed to focus on your sensory and symbolic technique. These techniques are effective when it is guided by a professional as they can help express and process your emotions.
In Malaysia, art therapy is accessible in many forms. Services are available in the form of painting, drawing, dancing, photography and even sculpting. There are many organisations out there that aim to empower the community through the medium of art. If you’re looking to join an art therapy session, here are some of the places that you can consider in Klang Valley.
HumanKind
HumanKind is a registered social enterprise based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. They are on a mission to improve the social and emotional well-being of all communities, primarily the vulnerable.
Through a programme called KitaReka, HumanKind has introduced a safe space for self expression and discovery. This programme is an in-person workshop conducted in an open studio where all art materials are provided and no prior experience is needed. The theme changes according to the objectives.
In-person session details;
Maximum capacity in a session: 8 participants
Time: Wednesdays, 10:30am-12:00pm & Saturdays: 10:30am – 12:00pm
Session fee: RM75 per session or RM600 for 10 sessions
Venue: For venue updates, you can visit their website or drop them a message on their social media for further info.
For more info, you can visit www.humankind.my/expressive-artprograms or follow them on social media by searching ‘HumanKind’.
ARTtherapy
ARTtherapy is an entity based in Mid Valley, Kuala Lumpur. It is led by a group of artists and therapists who are enthusiastic and passionate about arts. They offer a range of art workshops that are curated by the month.
Workshops are run throughout the week, giving you flexibility based on your schedule. These workshops mainly focus on visual arts like painting and drawing. All materials are provided during the workshop and no prior experience is needed. So, you can breathe a sigh of relief!
The prices can range from RM80 and above per session and each session can go up to 2 hours.
Additional information: Location: Unit 7-8, The Boulevard MidValley, Lingkaran Syed Putra, Mid Valley City 59200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
For session updates, you can visit www.arttherapykl.com/services-1
The Mind Faculty
The Mind Faculty is a private mental health clinic in Solaris, Mont Kiara. With over 20 practitioners, they offer a wide-range of psychiatric, psychological, counselling and complementary therapies.
Art Therapy is also one of many services they offer. If you’re interested in enquiring about the art therapy sessions, visitors can drop by their location for further info or drop them a message on their social media for further information by searching for ‘The Mind Faculty’.
Additional information: Location: Suite 11-G & 11-1 Jalan Solaris 4, Solaris Mont’ Kiara, Jalan Solaris, Off Jalan Duta Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Benefits of Art Therapy
#1 Aids people who are coping with trauma or depression
Art therapy helps people express through various mediums when they are having difficulties with words. People struggling with trauma or depression often find it hard to speak. Hence, art therapy creates a less pressure environment and this helps people who need some time to put their thoughts into words. It should also be noted that art therapy is developed as an integrative treatment that’s meant to be combined with other traditional mental health treatments.
#2 Helps your inner child
Some art therapy helps individuals to access their childhood experiences. Art therapy sessions, when conducted in a safe and conducive environment, may open a pathway to long-suppressed emotions, memories that are hidden deep inside us or memories that are lost to childhood.
#3 Helps with stress relief
Art therapy when done with professional guidance helps create an atmosphere of acceptance. This gives the individuals in therapy a feeling of reassurance that anything that is expressed during the therapy session is viewed in a non-judgmental way.
#4 Medium of expression
Art therapy done with or without professional guidance allows individuals to express their feelings. Therapists believe that people are able to understand themselves better through these artistic processes.
Art therapy done with or without professional guidance allows individuals to express their feelings.
Please do not hesitate to reach out for help if you or a loved one is suffering from anxiety, depression, anger issues or other mental health conditions. If you or a loved one is in a life-threatening situation or an emergency, call the 24 hour hotlines: Talian Kasih at 15999 or Befrienders at 03-795 68145.
