22 Comments
User's avatar
Jennifer Zarin, LCAT's avatar

Loved reading your story highlighting the power of the arts for healing:). Happy to hear you're on the mend, Angela.

Angela Lam's avatar

Thank you.

Kelly Feltault BFA, CTAP, PhD's avatar

Hey Angela, you beautifully described the power of therapeutic arts over talk therapy. We process visuals in a different part of the brain than words. The same part that holds our emotions. It’s one of the reasons the arts are so effective and why I advocate for social prescribing, therapeutic arts, and more formal art therapy. It’s also why I’ve changed careers late in life to be a therapeutic arts facilitator.

Angela Lam's avatar

You are providing a valuable service to the world. Thank you!

OliveTree's avatar

My mum is currently unwell and can’t do a lot of outdoor stuff. I’m going to share this with her as inspiration to reconnect with art. She used to paint the most amazing stuff !

EruditionConduit's avatar

This is so moving, Angela.

Your story landed right where it needed to. The way you honored five-minute moments of making—and let them gather into healing—is exactly the kind of gentle structure I’ve been searching for. I’m navigating autistic burnout and the long weather of trauma, and your pocket-sized practice just gave me permission to try a 15-minute art window of my own. Small canvas, big repair.

I loved how you showed art as nervous-system care, community, and dignity all at once. Thank you for writing this and for reminding me that returning to art doesn’t have to be grand to be real.

Angela Lam's avatar

I'm so grateful this piece resonated with you. May you also find healing through art.

Vincent O'Keefe's avatar

Love this post! Especially this: "Most importantly, I learned how vital the arts are to being human, no matter where you live or who you are." Couldn't agree more.

Elizabeth Kleinfeld's avatar

I’ve wondered what art therapy actually is, so it was really great to read this first person account of how it helped. Now I know! Thank you!

Leslie Senevey's avatar

I believe creativity is a balm for the soul. Very cool how it healed you.

Jamie Holland's avatar

What a great piece, Angela. Reunited love. And you thought you were finished with painting! No way--the art is inside you. thank you for posting about healing through art.

Michelle Levy's avatar

I have found art very therapeutic. I’m quite unskilled but each result is a memory of a pleasant, meditative time. I wish you continued healing!

Dianne Moritz's avatar

Writing soothed me when I was stricken with panic. Through art we find the key to healing and saving ourselves.

Angela Lam's avatar

I'm glad writing helped you. I hope you share your words.

Karen Lewis's avatar

Very inspiring, thank you for sharing your art-healing journey.

Angela Lam's avatar

You’re welcome!

Alexx Hart's avatar

🥰🤩🥰🤩🥰 So excited for you!!!! From your TBI & Art Therapy Sister

Jessica's avatar

I also connected with art therapy when it wasn’t easy to be honest about my emotions… it truly helps

Mark Kielkucki's avatar

Works for me!

Carin Fox Hennessey's avatar

I love your journey back to art. Thank you for sharing.

Carrie Hauskens's avatar

What a beautiful story!

Angela Lam's avatar

Thank you!