Helping people process emotions, overcome trauma through art

Mediums such as movement, drama, storytelling, drawing and colouring, psychodrama, sand play, creative writing and others, are used to help the individual work on their own process and journey. 

The art created during the process focuses only on the emotional content than the quality of it. Though this form for art therapy is still gaining ground in the city, Shivangi Lakhlani from Chennai has come with a project called HerMoveMeant, through which she reaches out to people and spread awareness on mental health.

“Well, there are many forms of therapy for several disorders, but I can vouch that expressive arts therapy is the most non-threatening way of understanding what’s going in your mind. When you are working with art there is no way you can disguise it. Expressive art therapy has become a very important addition for intervention in mental health,” she says.

 The primary idea of expressive art therapy is to empower the individual and address his/her psychological and emotional needs. “By taking people out of their comfort zone we look into the intentions and form goals that would benefit the individual,” shares Shivangi.

She will be curating a session for women who have been vocal about #MeToo movement. “The #Metoo Movement in India has been a triggering experience for many of us. With so many sexual harassment instances being brought into light about people we know and experiences that are more personal than ever, it is important to also address the emotional trauma that has been a part of us or has surfaced due to these experiences,” she adds.

Though Shivangi reaches out to all genders, her main focus is women and children. “Women are less likely to seek therapy because there’s a greater stigma attached to it. So, I have decided to reach out to women and children,” she sums up.