‘Meet your authentic self’- 4 week online art therapy group

A group of courageous souls came together in my first online art therapy group ‘Meet your authentic self’ — exploring creativity, connection, and self-discovery through the gentle power of art therapy.

They created and reflected in ways that helped them peel back the layers of “shoulds” and “expectations,” making space for the truest parts of themselves to shine. They pushed through any uncertainty they were feeling and bravely shared their honest emotions and how they viewed themselves throughout this therapeutic experience and in general.

Group art therapy offers significant benefits, including improved mental health outcomes, enhanced social connections, and increased self-esteem. It provides a safe space for individuals to explore emotions, develop coping mechanisms, and build a sense of community. 

Benefits of Group Art Therapy:

  • Emotional Expression and Processing: Art therapy provides a non-verbal outlet for expressing and processing emotions, which can be particularly helpful for individuals who struggle with verbal communication or have experienced trauma. 
  • Social Connection and Support: Group settings foster a sense of community and belonging, reducing feelings of isolation and providing a supportive network for emotional healing. 
  • Increased Self-Esteem and Self-Awareness: Creative activities can lead to self-discovery, enhancing self-esteem and promoting a more positive self-image. 
  • Reduced Anxiety and Stress: Engaging in art therapy can be calming and relaxing, helping to reduce anxiety and stress levels. 
  • Development of Coping Mechanisms: Art therapy techniques can help individuals develop healthier coping mechanisms for managing difficult emotions and situations. 
  • Improved Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Collaborative art projects and group interactions can enhance communication and build stronger relationships among participants. 
  • Enhanced Creativity and Self-Expression: Art therapy encourages individuals to explore their creative potential and express themselves in new and meaningful ways. 

I’m so grateful for each participant’s openness and presence. Thank you for trusting me on this journey! Here’s to carrying these insights forward — and to continuing to meet yourselves with curiosity, compassion, and courage.

If you are interested in joining future online art therapy groups, or one to one art therapy sessions at a discounted price, please leave a comment below!

I will be announcing new dates for online art therapy groups starting in October 2025. If you would like to explore the benefits of one to one art therapy sessions, then I am offering these immediately at only 48euros per session.

You can of course join me from anywhere in the world and I am happy to accommodate your time zone as much as this is possible. I am currently in the CEST time zone.

Love Athina

How to live with gratitude

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Gratitude is a very important tool that most of us don’t use as often as we could.

To be grateful for all that we have in our life can bring a certain sense of contentment and peace.

Studies have been done, which show that gratitude improves both mental and physical health. Gratitude can reduce feelings of hopelessness and can greatly improve our relationships with others.

Doing a daily gratitude list just before bed, has been found to not only improve sleep quality but can also help with reducing depressive symptoms in people who are suffering.

”Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow” – Melody Beattie

The key to really benefiting from the practice of gratitude, is to write 5 or more things that you are grateful for on each day.The more specific the things you write about, the more beneficial the effects.

One example for this may be ”My friend suprised me with a ‘Thank you’ card today” or ”I enjoyed playing with my cousin’s puppies”.

Another way of practicing gratitude, is to have a little jar and pop daily gratitude notes in it..At the end of the month or after a particularly bad day, it can be useful to return to your gratitude jar and read all the little gratitude notes you put in it.

Do you practice gratitude and if yes, is there something specific you do?

Thanks for reading

Love Athina ♥

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