INTERVIEW WITH BERNICE LIN

What does Art Therapy mean to you?

To me, art therapy is a safe, powerful and liberating process of self-discovery and recovery.  

When did you first realize that you wanted to be an art therapist? Was it your first career choice?  

Becoming an art therapist just felt like a natural fit for me, bringing together my fascination with art and psychology. Initially, I wrestled with whether to pursue clinical psychology or art therapy. While the specific title mattered less to me at first, my decision was driven by a deep conviction: the belief that creative expression is fundamental to the therapeutic process. (And yes, to avoid any professional turf wars, clinical psychologists and art therapists are equally crucial! Some of us just get to play with more paint and glitter…) 

How did you find out about The Red Pencil (Singapore)?  

It is hard to recall! My first exposure to The Red Pencil was likely at a big art exhibition. I think it was Art Stage? Wherever it was, their humanitarian work and mission definitely struck me. 

What is the greatest joy of being an art therapist? 

My greatest joy comes from witnessing the transformative moments when my young clients uncover profound personal insights and strengths for themselves. It is really an ineffable experience that makes every bit of effort and chaos worthwhile.  

“…art therapy is a safe, powerful and liberating process of self-discovery and recovery…“

“My greatest joy comes from witnessing the transformative moments when my young clients uncover profound personal insights and strengths for themselves.“

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)? 

I guess what stands out as my most unforgettable experience is the professional growth I have shared with The Red Pencil (Singapore). Since art therapy is still a relatively young field in Singapore, we often find ourselves needing to champion our work and explain it to others. Having that solid backing from our community of therapists makes this work more manageable and deeply rewarding.  

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?   

Plenty! I could go on and on about them. A major challenge is how people sometimes mistake what we do for an art lesson or a fun activity, instead of seeing it as the distinct clinical practice it is. We also run into resource constraints like finding the right spaces to do our work. And it is an ongoing effort to help other professionals really get what we do. As for misconceptions, they include beliefs like “art therapy is just for kids”, “you need to be good at art” and “the art therapist will analyze my art (like a fortune teller) and tell me what is wrong”. No, no and no.