Kamma Kunsterapie Art Therapy Studio

24/07/2023

"The past, present, and future mingle and pull us backward, forward, or fix us in the present. We are made up of layers, cells, constellations.” Anaïs Nin

Currently full term - pressing pause on my professional endeavours.
Being fully present for this time with this new little human is for me an important personal choice and opportunity.

Please see my website for my practice update and link to finding registered and qualified arts therapists: https://www.arttherapystudio.co.za/

03/11/2022

"there are, on this planet alone, something like two
million naturally occurring sweet things" Ross Gay

A while ago I did my first bundle dye with natural materials -a curious experimentation and exploration. A process of collecting and not knowing what plant-matter would transfer its pigment or not. The not-knowing -for me- was the fun part, in that it was a new discovery when unrolling the linen cloth after a 2-hour steaming session and seeing which bits and pieces released its pigment and transferred hues of green, yellows and blushing pink.

The act of creating is central in art therapy. Artmaking engages the body and mind, allowing space for thoughts, feelings and past experiences to intersect and be expressed into something tangible and visual. Therapy is an act of exploration and discovery. Sometimes you have clear goals and sometimes a different pigment is released during or in between sessions, that might be a pleasant or upsetting surprise. And that is okay, because we are exploring together -allowing time and space for all parts of ourselves to show up in all its diverse and rich hues.

12/10/2022

SANATA's first ever online magazine showcasing the arts therapies in South Africa is now live! Click the below link to browse the content:
https://sanata.org/magazine/edition-12022-access-beyond-words/

14/09/2022

"Things take the time they take. Don't worry" Mary Oliver

It is spring again and wintering had me somewhat avoiding the marketing aspect of a new private practice. For me it has been, and still is, a hard and slow process.

Today, I thought I might share something that makes me smile. These small, delicate, carpet-like spreading flowers (oxalis) appearing in my garden. These oxalis are remnants of Renosterveld that naturally occurred in this area where I now live and where the studio is situated. Although so much Renosterveld has been irrevocably destroyed and fragmented, it is lovely to see that these indigenous little lovelies popped up this flowering season!

What a lovely pink-petalled reminder of resilience and things taking the time they take.

22/08/2022

There is still so much stigma attached to going to therapy -it isn't for the "select, disturbed few"- it is for everyone!

Having some psychotherapy is just about the most significant and interesting thing you could do to improve your chances of contentment - in relationships, at...

02/08/2022

What kind of services do I offer?

Art Therapy services are offered in English and Afrikaans- by me - Kirstie Nel, a registered and qualified Art Therapist based in the Northern Suburbs of Cape Town!

Individual Art Therapy sessions and Consultations are offered at my studio (and online) in Kenridge, Bellville. Parents who would like their child to attend art therapy need to please first book a consultation.

Group Art Therapy sessions are available as sessional/contracted work and can be requested by schools, clinics, ngo's, care facilities etc. Groups are conveniently facilitated on-site at the school or facility.

Experiential Workshops are another offering that is often requested for staff with a focus on self-care or team-building. These workshops aren't therapy, but are usually once-off, theme-specific and encourages participants to connect with their own creative potential.

Please contact me if you have any questions about Art Therapy or my services!
admin@arttherapystudio.co.za
www.arttherapystudio.co.za

07/06/2022

What can Art Therapy help with?

Art therapy can help with a multitude of conditions such as depression, addiction, anxiety, trauma etc. But apart from these conditions, we all know life is just plain hard sometimes and we might find ourselves seeking and needing a therapist to turn towards.

So please remember: it is normal to need a little help sometimes.

for more info on art therapy and available services visit:
https://www.arttherapystudio.co.za/

22/04/2022

New Business Cards printed on Recycled Paper

In the process of becoming more conscious of the impact various materials have on the environment, I luckily had the suggestion at the printers of using Emtini Liner for my business cards. Emtini Liner is recycled paper that has a natural brown colour and texture. Most importantly this paper is not bleached with chlorine compounds which is quite harmful to the aquatic environment.

Interestingly Emtini Liner is traditionally used as a heavy paper to line storage containers or packaging boxes where extra protection is needed. This paper can be such a lovely symbol for art therapy. In that the art in art therapy, as well as the therapeutic relationship, can be a source of extra protection when sharing our truths and life stories that may make us feel a little more fragile than usual.

Now I also came to realise that ink is another baddie for the environment and that there are vegetable-based inks as alternatives -however not that widely available- so I opted for a simple black ink design that uses little ink.

Here’s to making more mindful choices -step by step!

08/04/2022

Going for a therapy/psychotherapy session should be as normal as taking your dog out for a walk in the neighborhood. You do not think twice going to your doctor when you feel ill but you definitely think twice when you think about talking about your thoughts and feelings with a stranger.

Often therapy isn’t on the list of priorities or not included in your monthly budget. Often this leads to people pushing down all those thoughts and feelings that are considered a “disruption” in going about their daily lives and work as usual. Often this repression leads to physical ailments because your body is trying to say no, stop, pay attention.

Until like a ball that you push down in the swimming pool with your hands (which let’s face it takes a lot of energy to keep pushed down) suddenly escapes your hold and bursts out of the water, splattering you and anyone around you with water unexpectedly. Sometimes only then once you do not have the strength to keep that ball pushed down do you consider therapy.

Going to see a mental health professional isn’t just for those who have a diagnostic label. The criteria for seeking therapy is to just be a normal human being. Life although extremely beautiful can be extremely hard and you do not need a diagnosis of major depression to know that. Sometimes we need that additional breathing space that therapy can offer to recalibrate, rebalance, reconnect and repair.

(also I know I probably write too much but see this as my attempt to slow down that scroll of doom....)

17/03/2022

About the therapist:

My name is Kirstie and from the photos you can see I love green spaces. I thank my mom for my good genetics in that I look younger than I actually am (I recently turned 31). I believe in continuous growth and the importance of slowing down (my husband has ADD so we clash on this point every so often). Art is super important to me, especially the quiet flow when you create something -neuroscience has a lot to say about that these days.

In an art therapy session I try to meet people where they are at, I try to make the studio a breathing space to help people take a moment for themselves and bring to the surface their difficulties and discover what they need to grow -whether it is a little sunlight or water;). I try to be completely present with each person I meet and listen compassionately and ask with genuine curiosity about their artworks and life stories.

I am trying to be more conscious of art materials that are not harmful to the environment and has a low-carbon footprint. The aim is to have 100% materials that do not pollute our waters, that are biodegradable and safe for all living organisms. This is a goal in process.

Also - I hate # -tagging but here I am doing it:

08/03/2022

For those that enjoy reading...an article I co-authored about an art therapy project at a special-needs school in Sudan is open access till the end of March. Yallah!

In this collaborative autoethnography, "Art Therapy Practice in Sudan: Reflections on a Short-term Humanitarian Programme" published in the current issue of the CATA Journal (volume 34, issue 2), Kirstie Nel, Francisca Laura Solar and Daphna Arbell-Kehila shares critical reflections on the transitory presence of therapists in humanitarian work, practices that situate local participants as experts and co-creators of knowledge, and ongoing learning in cultural humility.

"Art therapy in multicultural contexts can be expanded by making use of practices that suspend immediate reactions, tune into embodied feelings and sensations, carefully observe how cultural filters are impeding understanding, and listen to alternative realities before, during, and after taking action."

The full text article is FREE / open access until March 31, 2022: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/26907240.2021.1943982

[Image depicts a background stock photo of a tea cup on a desk, overlaid with the journal volume and issue number, the above quote, author's name, and article title in white text.]

Correction: The article is co-authored by Kirstie Nel, Francisca Laura Solar and Daphna Arbell-Kehila. We had misread that it was a sole-authored article when the post image was first created. We apologize for this error.

28/02/2022

What is Art Therapy?

Now, art therapy might sound like a strange new therapy to you, but has been around since the mid-20th Century. It is, however, important to recognise that many cultures have been using art-making for healing and wellness centuries before the term “art therapy” was coined and professionalised.

Art therapy is basically exactly what it says: a combination of art and psychotherapy. Guided by a qualified art therapist this creative therapeutic process makes use of imagery, colour and shape to express thoughts and feelings that would otherwise be difficult to give a voice to. Art offers a way to safely explore and hold experiences. Therapy is hard work, but the creative element central in art therapy can make it more playful and fun.

For more info on my practice and art therapy visit: https://www.arttherapystudio.co.za/art-therapy/