Art & Music therapy

[BlueBay]

I am starting an outpatient program next Tuesday and every Tuesday after that.  My group program is - yoga, morning tea, CBT with a psychologist; lunch, music therapy and art therapy.

Trouble is I am very anxious as I have never done music or art therapy before.  I am not an arty person that likes drawing and I am not into using musical instruments.  Apparently both programs will be with counsellors.

I have no idea what these two groups will be like but i am already worrying that i will be judged or looked at because i won't know what to do. And if i start to feel like that when i get there i just won't go in.  i will sit out and be on my own.

It's really hard to join in a group when there are inpatients already and some outpatients.  i will be a 'new one'. 

My own therapist said that art therapy will be really good for me and that i don't need to be an artist to do this group.  

But I am still not sure??

Has anyone done art therapy or music therapy before?

[Mazarita]

Hi @BlueBay,

I am working with a psychologist at the moment. Part of what she does is art therapy. The main form of it that she recommends to me at the moment is colouring in, like we used to do when we were a child but more complex in form for adults. It's a craze at the moment in general and is said to be a kind of meditation that promotes mindfulness. I know for sure with me it slows down my mind to focus on that one thing. There is no right and wrong with what colours you choose or how you do it. No gold stars to be won or lost. It's simply for ourselves. I suspect it may be one of the things you could do in your art therapy class next week.

Another activity I have started since having a support worker is learning the ukelele. This is done at a place that also does meditation and yoga. It started as a very easy beginniners class that anyone would be able to do. Mistakes were par for the course and no-one is made to feel bad about that. There are other forms of music therapy that just involve listening to music and describing how the music makes you feel in simple terms. Again, very easy for anybody.

In short, there would be little to worry about with art and music therapy. My take on it is that it tends to be more for relaxation than provoking anxiety. I hope you do go and enjoy it as much as I do. Let us know how you go. Best wishes! 

p.s. There was a 'Topic Tuesday' on music therapy here on the forum back in January. You might like to read through some of what was written there to help set your mind at ease and prepare for next week. You can find it here.

[BlueBay]

Hi @Mazarita

Thanks for replying back.  I will look at 'topic tuesday'.  I have been thinking today that maybe i will give art therapy a go.  i will have a chat with the outpatient program co-ordinator and see if there is a spot for me.

if not then i will do music therapy.  

thanks for explaining 🙂