INTERVIEW WITH JOLENE CHIANG
In simple terms, can you explain what art therapy is about to those who might not know what it is?
Art therapy is another form of psychological treatment that uses visual art media for individuals struggling with mental health, emotional or physical conditions. Instead of over-relying on words, especially for difficult past experiences where there are no words, an art therapist can facilitate this process safely for you.
What does art therapy mean to you and how did you first discover about art therapy as a practice?
Art therapy is a psychological intervention that can help many people. The intervention is practised across the continuum – from large-scale community projects to individual psychodynamic therapy. This is the inherent capability of using visual art as a psychological intervention. Of course, this also depends on each practitioner’s experience and further professional development qualifications.
When did you first realize that you wanted to be an art therapist? Was it your first career choice?
It was a natural progression after working middle management in the non-profit, government and community sectors for more than a decade. What came next? I wanted to be involved in direct clinical work, and enjoyed the idea of working in-depth with individuals or groups.
“Seeing clients experience relief from their emotional and mental distress after making art, and then find meaning in their images."
What is the greatest joy of being an art therapist?
Seeing clients experience relief from their emotional and mental distress after making art, and then find meaning in their images.
How did you find out about The Red Pencil (Singapore)?
I found out about The Red Pencil when I had the wonderful opportunity to volunteer on a community project at Esplanade for young children from vulnerable backgrounds.
“Art therapists get to witness the visual aspects of a person’s inner world, including both joys and suffering. With this privilege comes a deep responsibility to uphold one’s professional duty, ethical decisions, as well as self-care."
Can you share with us more about the greatest moment or most unforgettable experience you have had thus far working with The Red Pencil (Singapore)?
There are so many! From raising awareness about art therapy when conducting an open art studio during a conference. And another moment was my clinical group work with a grieving mother who lost her son to suicide. Despite her tragic loss, she would still bake cakes, jelly and cooling herbal drinks for us every session.
At the end of the programme, she wished to move forward and volunteer with palliative care patients through her musical talent of learning how to play the harp, and even made a donation to support Red Pencil causes.
What are some of the challenges you have experienced as an art therapist, and what do you think are some common misconceptions about art therapy?
I wouldn’t really call it a challenge – but more of a professional responsibility that many of us should not take for granted. Art therapists get to witness the visual aspects of a person’s inner world, including both joys and suffering. With this privilege comes a deep responsibility to uphold one’s professional duty, ethical decisions, as well as self-care.
There are certain connotations that only children can benefit from art therapy, or art therapy is akin to an art lesson, “can teach me how to do art therapy?” – However this is slowly dissipating as more awareness has been established in community and clinical settings so that the wider population know there is such a therapy option available for people of all ages experiencing various challenges.
Do you have any advice for budding art therapists out there who want to start this profession?
Speak to art therapists from diverse practice settings, attend talks, and workshops to find out if the modality and nature of intervention ignites something inside you! The best teacher is direct experience. Try it yourself! You do not need to have a “problem” to experience the benefits of art therapy, and you will notice the differences of making art alone vs being in the presence of an art therapist.
From your experience, how do you think art therapy impacted the lives of your clients?
I learn a lot from my clients. From my own clinical experience, processing the limiting beliefs of what was holding them back, hidden from their awareness, allowed them to now make a choice and decide how they can do things differently.
When someone allows their pain to be seen, witnessed and transformed – they can feel empowered to respond in adapative ways, instead of letting the past dictate their present situations – this has been inspiring.
Change begins with self-awareness and insight. Although insight alone is not enough to lead to sustained change, it starts from there. Observing one’s own artworks with an art therapist can bring up new discoveries.
How does being an art therapist affect your life?
My worldview has become richer, vibrant and less black-or-white. It has sparked my imagination, curiosity and possibilities in humankind and each person’s inherent creative potential.