Some mornings begin with a phone call that leaves you deeply moved. Recently, I had one of those moments – a call that left me filled with gratitude and renewed purpose. On the other end of the line was someone who had seen my work with art therapy on Instagram. They said they wanted to attend one of my healing with art sessions. But there was more: they were already on their way, travelling hours by bus from Konni to Trivandrum, bags in tow, to be part of this experience.
Arts capacity to connect, transcend and heal is something I’ve known for years. Still there is a profound humbling in seeing the lengths someone will go to for a chance to engage in that healing. This individual’s journey was not physical, but deeply emotional. They had taken a leap of faith, leaving the familiar behind, to be part of something that offered the possibility of growth and release.
This experience is a powerful reminder of art’s ability to bridge gaps – not only the physical distance between places, but also the emotional spaces within us. It speaks to the universal language of creativity, which doesn’t require fluency in any specific dialect, but instead speaks directly to the heart.
Art as a bridge across distance
Today, we often think of ‘distance’ as a physical separation, but it can also represent an emotional or psychological divide. In art therapy, clients often come to bridge these inner distances, seeking a way to process and reconnect with themselves or make sense of something they struggle to articulate. Art becomes the vehicle that brings them closer to their own emotions, desires, and dreams.
When someone reaches out for art therapy, they are often expressing a need that runs deep. Whether it’s releasing the burden of unspoken emotions or exploring a new path towards self-understanding, art can meet them where they are, no matter how far away they might feel from their goals or their true selves.
A message for all professionals in the healing arts
For those of us working in the healing arts, moments like these are a reminder of why we do what we do. The call that morning was a message to me as much as it was a request for a session. It was a reminder that, as art therapists, coaches, counsellors and healers, our work carries a message of hope and renewal.
Sometimes, as professionals, it’s easy to get caught up in day-to-day routines and the familiarity of helping people close by. But it’s important to remember there are others, often farther away, in rural areas, in different cities, or even different countries – who are seeking something meaningful. It reminds us to extend our reach, to make our services as accessible as possible, and to trust in the power of what we do.
A final reflection
I’m grateful every day for the courage of those who seek healing through art and for the technology that helps connect us across distances. And I’m especially thankful for this recent reminder of art’s universal appeal and profound impact. Art therapy is not just about making something, it’s about creating connections, building trust and opening pathways for healing that reach beyond barriers.
In a world that often feels fragmented, art has a unique power to bring people together, to bridge divides and to make distances seem just a little shorter. I’m honoured to witness that journey every day and to be a part of the change art can bring into people’s lives.