November 2010
Gioia Chilton, MA, ATR-BC and Rebecca Wilkinson, MA, ATR-BC have just launched
their new business, Creative Wellbeing Workshops, LLC. Creative Wellbeing
Workshops provides interactive training and workshops that blend the cutting
edge research of positive psychology, the "science of well-being," with the
benefits of art therapy.
Gioia and Rebecca started this work several years ago, after being introduced to
Positive Psychology by Lani Gerity. Rebecca and Gioia were struck by the
relevance of positive psychology to art therapy and the complimentary potential
of the two fields.
Positive psychology is the study of positive emotions, positive character, and
the positive institutions and communities that facilitate their development.
Positive psychologists suggest that the prevailing model of psychology, with its
focus on illness and symptoms, does not reflect a balanced view of human
potential and that focusing on strengths, increasing positive emotions, and
identifying meaning and hope may be more effective in increasing wellbeing.
These principles fit naturally with art therapy which has long been valued for
its ability to showcase and develop clients' strengths and to improve quality of
life.
Gioia and Rebecca have suggested a new term, "Positive Art Therapy" which
combines the healing potential of art therapy with the empowering focus of
positive psychology. Positive art therapy utilizes the creative process to
enhance positive emotions, identify and develop positive character and
strengths, and foster positive communities. They are looking to partner with
other art therapists, artists, mental health practitioners, positive
psychologists, community organizations, educational and governmental
institutions, who are interested in promoting the connection between creativity
and wellbeing.
Creative Wellbeing Workshops works with individuals seeking to feel happier,
more engaged, more creative, in their personal and professional lives; with
organizations and employers wishing to foster greater job satisfaction and
higher productivity in their employees; and with mental health practitioners who
wish re-energize their practice by incorporating state of the art research on
well-being and creativity into their practice.
Gioia and Rebecca, who have been friends since attending GW in the early 90's,
are enjoying the new direction their work is taking them. "We love doing this
work and our participants can tell. They really enjoy the fun we have
together—and it's really fabulous seeing the transformation that people undergo
as they explore these new concepts." Visit Gioia and Rebecca's website at
http://www.
, or contact them directly at either r.wilkinson@
or g.chilton@
References:
Chilton, G. & Wilkinson, R.A. (2009). Positive art therapy: Envisioning the
intersection of art therapy and positive psychology. Australia and New Zealand
Journal of Art Therapy, 4(1), 27-35.
Gerity, L. (2007). The Artist's Happiness Challenge Condensed Version.
Available from:
http://www.lulu.com/product/
Gioia Chilton, MA, ATR-BC and Rebecca Wilkinson, MA, ATR-BC have just launched
their new business, Creative Wellbeing Workshops, LLC. Creative Wellbeing
Workshops provides interactive training and workshops that blend the cutting
edge research of positive psychology, the "science of well-being," with the
benefits of art therapy.
Gioia and Rebecca started this work several years ago, after being introduced to
Positive Psychology by Lani Gerity. Rebecca and Gioia were struck by the
relevance of positive psychology to art therapy and the complimentary potential
of the two fields.
Positive psychology is the study of positive emotions, positive character, and
the positive institutions and communities that facilitate their development.
Positive psychologists suggest that the prevailing model of psychology, with its
focus on illness and symptoms, does not reflect a balanced view of human
potential and that focusing on strengths, increasing positive emotions, and
identifying meaning and hope may be more effective in increasing wellbeing.
These principles fit naturally with art therapy which has long been valued for
its ability to showcase and develop clients' strengths and to improve quality of
life.
Gioia and Rebecca have suggested a new term, "Positive Art Therapy" which
combines the healing potential of art therapy with the empowering focus of
positive psychology. Positive art therapy utilizes the creative process to
enhance positive emotions, identify and develop positive character and
strengths, and foster positive communities. They are looking to partner with
other art therapists, artists, mental health practitioners, positive
psychologists, community organizations, educational and governmental
institutions, who are interested in promoting the connection between creativity
and wellbeing.
Creative Wellbeing Workshops works with individuals seeking to feel happier,
more engaged, more creative, in their personal and professional lives; with
organizations and employers wishing to foster greater job satisfaction and
higher productivity in their employees; and with mental health practitioners who
wish re-energize their practice by incorporating state of the art research on
well-being and creativity into their practice.
Gioia and Rebecca, who have been friends since attending GW in the early 90's,
are enjoying the new direction their work is taking them. "We love doing this
work and our participants can tell. They really enjoy the fun we have
together—and it's really fabulous seeing the transformation that people undergo
as they explore these new concepts." Visit Gioia and Rebecca's website at
http://www.
, or contact them directly at either r.wilkinson@
or g.chilton@
References:
Chilton, G. & Wilkinson, R.A. (2009). Positive art therapy: Envisioning the
intersection of art therapy and positive psychology. Australia and New Zealand
Journal of Art Therapy, 4(1), 27-35.
Gerity, L. (2007). The Artist's Happiness Challenge Condensed Version.
Available from:
http://www.lulu.com/product/
