Art At Work
This Awareness Campaign for Art At Work offers a promising solution to tackle mental health issues among employees, as the healing benefits of art therapy can effectively enhance their well-being and work performance.
Benefits of Art At Work
Art At Work promotes Art therapy in the workplace as a promising solution for employees:
- to reduce conflict, stress and distress
- to process emotions and build emotional resilience
- to enhance cognitive functions such as problem-solving
- to foster self-esteem, self-awareness and self-worth
Art At Work In Action
Art At Work expresses various ways to incorporate art therapy and the healing benefits of art-making and art viewing in the workplace, such as:
Employee Assistance Program Using Art Therapy
Do It Yourself (DIY) Art-Making Activities
Placement of Artwork in the Workplace
Art Therapy Workshops and Group Sessions
Art Therapy
Art Therapy is a mental health intervention that uses visual art media, the creative process and the resulting artwork, within the context of a developing psychotherapeutic relationship with a professionally trained art therapist. Art therapists aim to enrich lives through empowering clients to discover an outlet for complex emotions difficult to access verbally, in order to facilitate self-expression, foster self-awareness and growth, reconcile emotional conflicts, develop social skills and reality orientation, and otherwise manage behaviour. (Definition from The Art Therapy Association of Trinidad and Tobago)
Established in July 2016, the Art Therapy Association of Trinidad and Tobago aims to support and promote Art Therapy in Trinidad and Tobago. The Association is responsible for:
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Facilitating educational sessions, workshops, seminars and conferences related to art therapy, art psychotherapy and other therapeutic interventions.
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Developing and guiding the ethical practice of art therapy and art psychotherapy in Trinidad and Tobago.
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Facilitating and supporting art therapy research in Trinidad and Tobago.
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Providing career guidance and placement opportunities for art therapists, art psychotherapists and other creative arts therapists.
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Promoting public awareness and support related to the activities of art therapists, such as public art, art therapy exhibitions and media releases.
List of Certified Art Therapists in Trinidad and Tobago:
Satori Hassanali, MA
Satori is a UK registered art psychotherapist, who currently provides art therapy services to in-patient and out-patient adults suffering from psychiatric illness, via St. Ann’s Psychiatric Hospital. As a returning national scholar, who achieved his MA in art psychotherapy at Roehampton University in London, he remains open to exploring and pioneering art therapy interventions across the myriad of settings where they may be applicable, locally and regionally. He is also a founding member of the Art Therapy Association of Trinidad and Tobago (ATATT) and its current president.
Kim Valldejuli, MA. ATR-BC
Kim is a registered board certified art therapist and current doctoral student at Drexel University pursuing a PhD in Creative Art Therapies. Kim has worked in various settings including schools, residential programs, humanitarian support, community resilience programs and online therapy interventions with children and adults regionally and internationally. Kim currently provides art therapy services for inpatient and outpatient clients in an acute psychiatric facility in the USA. Kim is a founding member of the Art Therapy Association of Trinidad and Tobago of which she currently serves as the Public Relations Officer. Kim also serves as the Culturally Responsive Practice Advisor on the editorial board of the International Journal of Art Therapy. Her research interest explores the transmission of generational trauma in the diaspora and how traditional healing systems/knowledge support health and well-being.
Camille Bartholomew, MA
Camille is a qualified art therapist, educator, and scholarship recipient, with several years of experience working in schools and the private sector to support the mental health of children, adolescents, and their families. Camille graduated from New York University (NYU) and interned at the Coalition for Hispanic Family Services and the NYU Art Therapy in the Schools program while volunteering at bereavement camps and NYU Langone’s Hospital. Her role as an art therapist is continuously underpinned by a desire to facilitate safe, accessible spaces for improved mental health, inclusive of the varying needs of individuals facing different diagnosis.
Kristy Anatol, MA ATR-BC
Kristy is a board certified art therapist, holding an MA from New York University. She is a founding member and first president of the Art Therapy Association of Trinidad and Tobago, where she continues to serve currently as Treasurer. In 2018, under her stewardship, the local observance of Creative Arts Therapies Week in Trinidad and Tobago was initiated, fostering connections among creative art therapists in the Caribbean diaspora.
Kristy is deeply committed to advocating for the use of creative arts as therapy, and alongside her private practice, where she works primarily with children, she contributes to community initiatives through the design and implementation of drug prevention activities in schools and other organisations. She also has a passion for mental health education, which she champions through the facilitation of experiential workshops on stress management and wellness practices. With over 10 years of experience, Kristy has a profound love for the healing power of art, which is reflected through her multifaceted approach. Her dedication to empowering others through creative outlets makes her an invaluable asset in the field of mental health and therapy.
Sarah Soo Hon PhD, ATR
Sarah is a registered art therapist and doctoral graduate of Queen Margaret University, in art therapy research. She worked in inpatient, outpatient and forensic mental health settings in the public sector for many years and currently practices privately with individuals, schools and non-governmental organizations. She serves as public relations officer of the Autistic Society of Trinidad and Tobago and is a founding member of the Art Therapy Association of Trinidad and Tobago. Her current area of research seeks to understand the relevance of cultural arts practices to the psychosocial wellbeing of adolescents affected by violence in Trinidad and Tobago and she has published research relating to her work with adolescents and young adults.
Sian MacLean, M.A.
Sian is a Masters Level Psychotherapist and Art Therapist and has a private practice in Port of Spain. She sees clients of all ages and works with different mental and emotional challenges including trauma and sexual abuse, anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation, adjustment disorders, stress management and life transitions. She engages in team work for clients who need crisis intervention or have eating disorders. She is a founding member of The Art Therapy Association of Trinidad and Tobago and has co facilitated various workshops and exhibitions aimed at bringing awareness to both mental illness and art therapy.
Delisa Rollocks MA
Delisa is the founder at Rollocks Therapeutic Care and is the sole provider of Art Psychotherapy in Tobago. She currently provides services through the Tobago Regional Health Authority where she works with patients on the psychiatric ward, children at the Child and Adolescent Centre and in the Health Centre with patients battling Alzheimer’s and other related mental health conditions.
Having been qualified, trained and registered with the Health and Care Professions Council in London, England, Delisa is dedicated to caring for people when they are most vulnerable by providing and facilitating a safe space; a creative space; a healing space free from judgements and misunderstandings. She offers an intervention that is beneficial to persons of all ages. A former Cultural Ambassador and Visual Arts teacher, Delisa brings a breadth and depth of empathy and experience to every interaction. Her love for the creative arts and her passion for human well-being has naturally evolved into her drive to heal through Art Psychotherapy.
Celeste Walters MA
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Viewing Art
Viewing art is a three-step process. The first step is to look at the art for its basic features, materials, medium, technique and style. After looking, see the art in its given context of the title, description and resulting artwork and then apply meaning to it. Finally, think about the artist's intention and message to the viewer. The viewer also considers his interpretation and feelings about the art. Viewing art elevates mood and enhances mindfulness, deep thought and introspection. It provides an opportunity for self-reflection.
The Value of Art In the Workplace
Art-Making
Art Making is a rewarding and enjoyable way for anyone to freely express their creativity, ingenuity, innovation or imagination using various materials and media. It provides an opportunity to explore techniques and create new ones. Through the creative process one can hone artistic skills or focus the experience. Art-making can serve as a means to process emotions and provides an emotional release.
Do It Yourself (DIY) Art-Making Activities
Easy Activities with Readily Available Items (Ideas from Richard K Potter, Nicole A. and Cathy A. Malchiodi)
Doodling Tangles
Items
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Sheet of Paper
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Pen, Pencil, Highlighters or Markers
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Roll of Masking Tape
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Bottle Lid or Cover
Instructions
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Get a sheet of paper, pen, pencil and colour pencils or markers.
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Use a circular object (e.g. roll of masking tape) to draw circles that overlap each other.
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In each space draw a different repetitive pattern or colour in the shapes.
Continuous Drawing
Items
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Sheet of Paper
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Masking or Clear Tape
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Pen or Pencil
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Highlighters or Markers
Instructions
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Get a sheet of paper or board, tape it to desk or table and get a pen, pencil, marker or colour pencils.
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Then draw any design slowly using one (1) continuous line without lifting the pen or pencil.
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Once you lift your hand, you can colour in the shapes using the pen, pencil, marker or highlighters.
Cross Hatching
Items
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Sheet of Paper
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Round Object
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Pen or Pencil
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Highlighters or Markers
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Ruler
Instructions
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Get a sheet of paper or board and use a pen, pencil, marker or highlighters.
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Then draw large shapes such as circles, squares, triangles or rectangles.
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Fill in each shape with the lines drawn diagonally to create the cross hatch pattern.
Weaving Words
Items
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Sheet of Paper
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Cue Cards
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Pair of Scissors
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Glue Stick
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Pen, Markers, Highlighters
Instructions
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Write lines of affirmation or quotes you like on cue cards.
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Cut out strips the cue cards.
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Stick weaved strips on to a sheet of paper.
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Weave the strips in a basket weave.
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Colour in using markers or highlighters for added creativity.
Visual Journaling
Items
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Diary or Daily Planner
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Pen or Pencil
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Highlighters or Markers
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Newspaper, Magazine or Printouts for Recycling
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Pair of Scissors
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Glue Stick
Instructions
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Use a diary or daily planner to record your daily experiences using text, image, doodles, cut-outs etc.
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Include affirmations, quotes, poems, or notes that have meaning for you.
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Each day reflect your actual experience and visualise an ideal experience.
Free Drawing
Items
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Sheet of Paper
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Masking or Clear Tape
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Pen or Pencil
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Highlighters or Markers
Instructions
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Get a sheet of paper, tape it to desk or table.
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Use the pen or pencil to draw without actively thinking or making plans of what to draw.
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Colour in the spaces with markers or highlighters as you go with the flow.
Found Art Collage
Items
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Sheet of Paper
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Old Newspaper, Magazine or Printouts for Recycling
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Pair of Scissors
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Glue Stick
Instructions
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Collect and cut out images, texts from newspapers, printouts etc. that appeals to you.
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Use glue to stick together collage of these pieces that speak to your experience on the sheet of paper.
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Look at the collage and reflect on its meaning to you.
Simple Shapes Cut Out
Items
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Sheet of Paper
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Bristol Board
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Pair of Scissors
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Sticky Notes
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Highlighters or Markers
Instructions
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Using a pair of scissors, cut shapes out of the board and the sticky notes.
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Apply glue to the back of the shapes and paste on a sheet of paper.
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Using markers and highlighters colour patterns and designs on the shapes.
Simple Drawing Patterns
Items
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Sheet of Paper
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Masking or Clear Tape
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Pen or Pencil
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Highlighters or Markers
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Ruler
Instructions
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Think about your personality, what makes you unique, special talents, strengths etc.
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Get a sheet of paper or board, tape it to desk or table and get a pen, pencil, marker or colour pencils.
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Then draw and colour your personality on the paper the shapes and patterns that best represent you.
Request Form
Are you interesting in getting more information
or arranging an Art At Work session?