My Journey to Art Therapy — Healing Art Journey

Like many, COVID-19 changed the course of my life, grounding me and keeping me from traveling. But beyond that, it also sparked some monumental life changes that set me on a path I could have never anticipated.

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In 2018, I moved to Shanghai, where I stumbled upon something life changing—art therapy. Art has always been a constant in my life. It’s been my anchor, especially during personal experiences of grief, trauma, and anxiety. I’ve always turned to art—whether through painting, drawing, or journaling—to process my emotions and stay grounded during tough times. What I didn’t realize then was that art could be so much more than just a form of expression. It can serve as a bridge to connect with our deepest emotions, heal old wounds, and bring clarity when life feels overwhelming.

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My own experiences with PTSD, anxiety, and depression taught me the huge impact creative expression can have. Art became my tool for healing, but it wasn’t until I discovered art therapy that I realized it was also a profession—a field where healing and creativity intersect in a way that aligned deeply with everything I believed. I knew from that moment that I wanted to help others discover the same healing power art had brought into my life.

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By 2020, I knew I had to dedicate my career to this field, and so I began my journey into art therapy. My personal experience with recovery through art deepened my understanding of healing, and it’s this understanding that drives my passion to help others on their own paths to recovery.

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In 2022, I took another leap and relocated to Canada. It was there I completed my Art Therapy diploma at the Vancouver Art Therapy Institute—a life-changing experience that merged my lifelong love of art with my commitment to healing. During my practicum, I had the honor of working with women and children, witnessing firsthand how art helps people navigate trauma, heal, and communicate in ways that words often can’t.

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Now, I’m embarking on yet another leap—this time, into entrepreneurship with my own online therapeutic art therapy business, Healing Art Journey.

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I’m incredibly excited about this next chapter and can’t wait to connect with people who are ready to explore the healing power of creativity.

How did you discover Art Therapy or Therapeutic Art?

📧 Email me with the subject: How I discovered Art Therapy
or
📩 DM me on Instagram

I would love to hear about your journey.

Source: My Journey to Art Therapy — Healing Art Journey

2 comments

I’ve always written about something, usually love or Buddhism, but it’s been writing about my fears that feels truly therapeutic, like yanking a thorn out of the metaphorical paw.

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janaline's world journey says:

June 18, 2025 at 10:15 pm

I totally understand that. I write daily and find that as I put my fears and anxiety onto paper, they deminish…or maybe it helps me see them in a different light, from a different point of view.

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Reply

paulliverstravels says:

June 4, 2025 at 7:00 pm

I’ve always written about something, usually love or Buddhism, but it’s been writing about my fears that feels truly therapeutic, like yanking a thorn out of the metaphorical paw.

LikeLiked by 1 person

- janaline's world journey says:
  
  June 18, 2025 at 10:15 pm
  
  I totally understand that. I write daily and find that as I put my fears and anxiety onto paper, they deminish…or maybe it helps me see them in a different light, from a different point of view.
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person