EPISODE 153 OF GROWING OLDER LIVING YOUNGER focuses on the healing power of creativity through expression of the visual arts. Art therapy in the broadest sense is a form of psychotherapy that allows individuals to express themselves in ways that words cannot. It provides a safe outlet for emotions, thoughts, and experiences. In previous episodes we have explored dance therapy and music therapy. Visual art forms include painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, photography, video and film.

I talk with Karen DeLoach, artist, art mentor, author, actor and Creativity Specialist. After a 30+ year career as a home school mom, private and public school art and film teacher, Karen became an online Creativity Specialist and art mentor. She currently teaches art history and appreciation in college, using textbooks that she has written and she can bear witness to the healing power of art. She believes that most of us have had our sensitive, intuitive, imaginative, right-brain brilliance trivialized, wounded and under-developed but that creativity is within us all. Karen and her husband have a home-based ministry and home group called Imagine Gathering.