What is Somatic Arts Therapy?

Life is multisensory and so are we humans. We use our eyes, ears, bodies, hearts, minds, touch, smell, imagination, gestures, voices and more, to gather information and interact with the people and places around us. While this is going on, on the outside, our inner worlds are full of sensations, feelings, imaginings and ideas as well. At times this can be a lot, trying to manage all the things can be overwhelming.

The work I do invites you to engage this amazing multisensory nature to explore pathways through ups and downs, new ways of looking at things and strategies for coping. Somatic refers to things related to the body - feelings, sensations, movement. Together, we have creative conversations for your wellbeing through making, drawing, movement, play, music and conversation. This is a therapeutic process that generates insight, strength, healing, and self-understanding. Individually or in a group, you are offered a safe, engaging space to explore your inner and outer worlds – to give them form so that you can see them, touch them, pick them up, move them around, consider them from different angles, and reform them. It’s not about being “good” at art, it’s about your curiosity, courage and expression.

Why do Somatic Arts Therapy?

I’ve worked with people of all ages, here are some of the ways young people describe why they do Somatic Arts Therapy…

It’s not about ‘being good at drawing or movement’ or even about ‘making art’ at all. This is about the process of being creative, not the finished product. It’s about exploring and playing in different ways - using your senses, trying new things, and seeing where it takes you. It can help you generate ideas, look at things from a fresh perspective, learn cool stuff, boost your mood, or even change the way you feel.

The kind of things students and I have done together in our sessions…

• We’ve made marks on giant paper using paint, chalk pastels and charcoal.

• We’ve played handball, skipped, juggled to practice coordination, focus, and experimented with rhythms and patterns.

• We’ve explored breath and settling through touch with objects like shells, stones, flowers & bark.

• We’ve painted, collaged, coloured & created detailed drawings over weeks.

• We’ve had conversations through sound playing the piano with our arms, elbows and feet.

• We’ve used fabric to express emotions and practice social skills.

• We’ve worked with our fingers, the backs of our hands and our forearms in clay and paint.

• We’ve explored friendships & how to build relationships in a circle of elastic while singing our favourite songs.

• We’ve quietly innovated finger knitting and simple weaving techniques into 3D sculptures.

• We’ve rolled on soft balls to change perspective, explore mobility and relieve anxiety.

• We’ve described what life’s like at the moment with object sculptures - on tables and hanging through a room.

• We’ve folded, ripped, collaged and sewn on paper.

• We’ve listened to music, shared stories, chatted and had fun.

I acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Woi Wurrung & Boon Wurrung language groups of the Eastern Kulin Nation - the traditional custodians of the land, Naam, where I live, dance, make and play. As a New Zealander, I acknowledge the Māori people, the tangata whenua - the indigenous people of Aotearoa. Entwined in Country, I acknowledge the eternal reciprocal relationship between soil & cell, air & breath, waterways & fluid. I pay my respects to elders past, present & emerging.