Lauren is an AWBW facilitator at Swain Recovery Center, a residential treatment program for substance use and mental health. “Art has been a very helpful tool in building relationships between myself and clients, clients and other staff members, and the client communities in general,” she says.

Lauren also says that, since becoming a facilitator, “I have been able to slow down with my clients and just provide a space for them to feel safe in creating and not being judged by what is occurring for them as well as what is happening in their art creations. … I love being a facilitator, it helps me connect and get more in tune with my clients on a different level.”

Not only do her clients participate in the art workshops she offers, some also create art on their own. Lauren shares, “I believe that facilitating art workshops has helped build stronger rapport … When clients create art in their spare time, they are also excited to show me their creations and explain further what it means for them. … Clients feel more comfortable coming to interact with me about their art, which allows them to begin to open up about other important things that may be occurring for them.”

One of her participants shared with her, “I struggle with self-esteem, and art helps me love myself. Even with imperfections, all art is beautiful and all humans are worthy.”

It is often challenging to address topics like self-esteem, but Lauren has seen how art helps “provide a safe space for [her] clients to practice accepting where they are, what is coming up for them, and learning to work through those difficult times in a healthier manner.” She says, “Art has helped clients with those difficult situations, emotions, memories, or sensations. Art allows our clients to be in the present moment while creating parts of their internal experience in an external way.”