Therapeutic Arts Wellbeing Workshop: Exploring Life's Polarities

Therapeutic Arts offer a dynamic approach, enabling expression of our inner world and getting to the heart of our feelings and experiences without depending on words. They can enable a shift in focus, new possibilities and ways forward. Being creative is healing in itself and here we explore, with curiosity, how to use the arts more deeply.

This experiential workshop will explore ploarities in our lives. We all experience these contrasting states such as joy and sorrow, disappointment and hope, anger and calmness, optimism and pessimism. We'll work with 2 mediums - collage, and natural and found materials, to explore the polarities that are uppermost in our lives in a guided way. We'll also consider how polarities are part of our human nature and contribute to our wholeness.

No artistic or therapy experience necessary, just a willingness to have a go and explore. This is an introductory workshop rather than an Art Therapy group session.

The workshop is facilitated by Steffie's Arts Space. Steffie is a Therapeutic Arts Practitioner and experienced facilitator.

Here's some feedback from previous participants: ‘Safe reflective space, eye opening, heart-warming’, 'Fabulous workshop! Giving myself a greater understanding of how creativity can be used in therapy', 'Thought provoking, joyful, helped me to realise that I can connect with other people’s art.'

What you will gain from the workshop:

• Understanding how the arts can be used therapeutically as well as for wellbeing
• Appreciating how and why different media, such as collage and natural /found materials, can be used
• Through participation, experiencing how the arts can enable exploration of life's polarities
• The experience of empathic witnessing
• The opportunity to reflect creatively on the role of polarities.

Is this workshop for me?

If you are interested in personal development, and are curious about how the arts can be used to explore ourselves more deeply, you will hopefully find this workshop enjoyable and meaningful. During the workshop you will be invited to explore 2 different sets of polarities that you are aware of, and are comfortable to share with others. All those age 16 + welcome.

What You will need

All materials and refreshments will be provided.

Price

£30 per person + Eventbrite booking fee.

2 Concessionary places available @ £18, please email Steffie directly: Steffie.elhassan@hotmail.co.uk.

Refund and cancellation policy

A full refund minus the Eventbrite booking fee is available if you cancel at least one week before the course starts. This helps to ensure that we’ll have time to fill the space.

If less than 6 places are booked by the week before the course, we reserve the right to cancel.

How can I contact the organiser with any questions

Steffie ElHassan (facilitator): Steffie.elhassan@hotmail.co.uk

About Steffie ElHassan, facilitator

Steffie was first introduced to Expressive Arts as part of a Supervision Diploma course and immediately loved this approach, recognising the potential for accessing and working with emotions and challenges. She then completed a two year Advanced Diploma in the Therapeutic Application of the Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education (IATE), London, in addition to three years of a part-time Creative Practice degree at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Steffie has worked for many years as a holistic practitioner using homeopathy, flower essences and therapeutic arts, as a supervisor, and in the NHS in the field of food & health. She now runs a therapeutic arts practice offering 1:1 sessions, and loves offering creative workshops locally, online, and for organisations including for The Whitworth Gallery in Manchester and RHS Bridgewater Gardens.

Her website is: www.steffiesarts.com.