ART THERAPY
Art Therapy offers a unique and powerful medium for emotional expression and healing for both adults and children. The creative process of making art helps people communicate without words, which is what makes art therapy different from regular counselling sessions.
For some people, seeking help from a mental therapist one-on-one can feel intimidating. Verbalising emotions takes an emotional toll as you might not have the mental resources to explain your thoughts. Art therapy is a form of non-verbal, expressive therapy that benefits emotional, mental, physical and spiritual health through the creative process of artmaking in a safe space. ​
One does not need artistic skills to get started. Each session in The Happiness Project involves sensorial and kinesthetic experiences that let people open up, providing new insights to understanding their lives better. We provides a gentle way of surfacing emotions or experiences that may be difficult to verbalise.
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Our Art Therapy programs for adults and children are the first and only lesson outlines in Malaysia to be recognized and validated by the Malaysian Association of Psychotherapy.
Art Therapy (Toddlers)
Art Therapy for Toddlers
The Happiness Project's art therapy program for toddlers provides a clinically supported approach to early childhood development, harnessing the power of creative expression to foster emotional and cognitive growth.
According to Piaget's Cognitive Developmental Theory, children in the sensorimotor stage (birth to approximately 2 years) and the early stages of the preoperational stage (2 to 7 years) learn primarily through sensory experiences and motor activities. Our art therapy program aligns perfectly with these developmental stages by engaging toddlers in hands-on activities such as drawing, painting, and sculpting.
The Happiness Project's art therapy program helps toddlers develop fine motor skills, enhance visual-spatial awareness, and improve their ability to communicate feelings that they may not yet have the verbal skills to express. By encouraging toddlers to explore colors, shapes, and textures, our program promotes cognitive development and creativity.
Our experienced therapists create a nurturing and structured environment where toddlers can safely explore their emotions and experiences, leading to improved emotional regulation and self-confidence. Integrating Piaget's theory, art therapy lessons for toddlers at The Happiness Project are designed to support their natural developmental processes, ensuring a holistic approach to their growth and well-being.
Art Therapy (Young Children)
Art Therapy for Young Children
Our Art Therapy programs for young children designed to support emotional and cognitive development, these programs provide a creative and safe space for children to express their feelings through art. Activities such as drawing, painting, and sculpting help young children develop fine motor skills, enhance visual-spatial awareness, and improve their ability to communicate emotions.
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Incorporating principles from Piaget's Cognitive Developmental Theory, our programs cater to children in the Concrete Operational Stage, a period between ages 7 and 11. During this stage, children gain a better understanding of mental operations and begin thinking logically about concrete events, although they may still have difficulty grasping abstract or hypothetical concepts.
Our experienced therapists guide each session, ensuring that the therapeutic process is both engaging and beneficial for the child's growth and well-being
Art Therapy (Teenagers)
Art Therapy for Teenagers
Our Art Therapy programs for teenagers are designed to support the unique emotional and cognitive development needs of adolescents, providing a creative and safe space for teenagers to express their feelings through art.
Engaging in activities such as drawing, painting, and sculpting helps teenagers develop emotional resilience, enhance self-awareness, and improve their ability to communicate complex emotions.
Our programs are informed by developmental theories, including Piaget's Formal Operational Stage, which begins around age 12. During this stage, teenagers develop the ability to think abstractly, reason logically, and understand hypothetical concepts.
Our art therapy sessions are tailored to leverage these cognitive advancements, encouraging teenagers to explore their identities, cope with stress, and navigate social challenges.
Our experienced therapists guide each session, ensuring that the therapeutic process is both engaging and beneficial for the teenager's growth and well-being.
Art Therapy for Autism, ADD, ADHD, etc
Art Therapy for Neurodevelopmental Disorders
At The Happiness Project, we offer specialized Art Therapy lessons tailored for individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders.
Art therapy provides a creative and therapeutic outlet for individuals with conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and other neurodevelopmental challenges. These sessions are designed to cater to the unique needs of each individual, promoting emotional expression, sensory integration, and cognitive development.
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Art therapy helps individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders by providing a structured and supportive environment where they can explore their creativity. Through the use of various art materials and techniques, participants can improve their fine motor skills, enhance their sensory processing, and develop better communication abilities.
For children with ASD, for instance, engaging in art activities can foster social interaction and emotional expression, which might be challenging through traditional verbal communication.
Our experienced art therapists at The Happiness Project utilize evidence-based practices to support the developmental and emotional needs of individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders. Our art therapy sessions aim to boost self-esteem, reduce anxiety, and improve overall well-being by focusing on strengths and encouraging self-expression.
Through personalized and adaptive art therapy lessons, we strive to make a positive impact on the lives of those with neurodevelopmental disorders, helping them to achieve their fullest potential.
Art Therapy (Adults)
Art Therapy for Adults
Our Art Therapy programs for adults are designed to address the diverse emotional and cognitive needs of adults, providing a creative and safe space for self-expression through art.
Activities such as drawing, painting, and sculpting facilitate emotional healing, enhance self-awareness, and improve the ability to communicate complex feelings and experiences.
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Art therapy for adults supports mental health by helping individuals process trauma, reduce anxiety, and manage stress. It also promotes cognitive functioning and personal growth by encouraging creative problem-solving and fostering a deeper understanding of oneself.
Our experienced therapists tailor each session to meet individual needs, ensuring that the therapeutic process is both engaging and effective in promoting overall well-being and emotional resilience.
Trauma Informed Art Therapy
Trauma Informed Art Therapy
Our Trauma-Informed Art Therapy programs are designed to provide a safe and supportive environment for individuals who have experienced trauma. Utilizing creative activities such as drawing, painting, and sculpting, participants are given a non-verbal outlet to express and process their emotions, which can be particularly beneficial for those who find verbal expression challenging.
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Trauma-informed practice is a framework that guides our approach to expressive arts therapy in the context of traumatic stress. It centralizes brain and body-based regulation, stress reduction, somatic awareness, self-efficacy, and empowerment. Our trauma-informed practice was developed from various models, incorporating a comprehensive understanding of trauma that includes cognitive, brain-based, somatic, sensory, and expressive methods.
At The Happiness Project, we adhere to the principles of Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapy (TIEAT), which has been established over two decades of work with children, adults, and families. TIEAT emphasizes the neurobiology of traumatic stress and the critical importance of self-regulation, safety, and the body's experience of trauma
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Our experienced therapists apply these principles to create a nurturing environment that supports emotional healing and recovery. By integrating trauma-informed practices with expressive arts, we ensure that each session is tailored to meet the unique needs of individuals, helping them rebuild a sense of control, develop coping skills, and enhance emotional resilience.
This approach facilitates self-expression, reduces anxiety, and promotes overall well-being, making it a vital component of our therapeutic offerings for those affected by trauma.
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Art Therapy for Personal Growth
Art Therapy for Personal Growth
Our Art Therapy programs for personal growth are designed to support individuals seeking to enhance their personal development through creative expression.
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Engaging in art therapy encourages individuals to make decisions and translate their thoughts into visual form, which can facilitate personal growth. Art therapy stimulates the brain's reward center, increasing serotonin levels, which enhances well-being and happiness.
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The therapeutic process also facilitates a "flow state," characterized by deep focus and pleasure, which enhances productivity and goal achievement, as highlighted by a 2018 study in "Frontiers in Psychology."
At The Happiness Project, our experienced therapists guide each art therapy session to foster self-expression, emotional resilience, and personal insight. This holistic approach empowers individuals to explore their inner worlds, set meaningful goals, and achieve greater life satisfaction.
Art Therapy for Grief & Loss
Art Therapy for Grief & Loss
Our Art Therapy programs for grief and loss provide a compassionate and supportive space for individuals to process and navigate the complex emotions associated with grief and loss through creative expression.
Grief is a deeply layered and challenging experience, unique to each individual who undergoes loss. Because there is no “proper” way to grieve, art therapy serves as an excellent coping strategy, allowing individuals to express themselves in the way that feels best for them.
Unlike traditional “talk therapy,” art therapy incorporates the creative process, meaning one does not need to speak if they cannot find the words to articulate their feelings. This is especially beneficial when emotions are so overwhelming that they affect one physically, making verbal expression difficult.
Through our art therapy, clients can tell their personal stories of connection to their loved ones, seeking comfort by constructing narratives around their relationships. This process helps them find meaning and create a tangible reminder of their therapeutic journey.
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At The Happiness Project, our experienced therapists create a nurturing and structured environment where individuals can safely explore their emotions and experiences, leading to improved emotional regulation and self-confidence.
By providing a holistic approach to growth and well-being, we help individuals honor their loved ones while finding a way to move forward with greater strength and emotional balance.
Art Therapy for Affirming Self Identity
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Art Therapy for Affirming Self Identity
Art therapy is a powerful tool for self-discovery and self-affirmation. By engaging in the artistic process, individuals can explore various aspects of their identity, including personal values, beliefs, and experiences.
Creating art allows people to express parts of themselves that might be difficult to articulate verbally. Through this process, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of who they are and build a stronger sense of self.
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At The Happiness Project, our Art Therapy program also supports individuals in exploring and affirming their gender identity, including those experiencing gender confusion or dysphoria. These programs provide a safe and supportive space for individuals to explore, affirm, and celebrate their self-identity through the creative process.
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Guided by the American Psychological Association (APA) principles, we ensure that our practices are compassionate, affirming, and evidence-based. This includes respecting each individual's gender identity, avoiding stigmatizing language, and using a client-centered approach.
Through creative expression, we help clients achieve greater self-awareness, emotional regulation, and a deeper connection to their true selves.
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