By Resian Marima

On February 7, the Peer Educators and Counselors Club (PECC) hosted an art therapy training event. The target audience for this training was students, especially the peer counselors and attracted 30 participants. They all benefited from the insights and experiences shared by the trainers Dr. Nyawira Kuria and Ruth Mukami.

The session on expressive art by Dr. Nyawira outlined concepts in expressive therapy and mentioned various techniques, such as painting, mosaic, poetry, journaling, and dance. Through the process of creating and reflecting on their expressive/artwork, the participants gained valuable insights into their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Art helped them connect with their inner selves and make sense of their experiences, both conscious and unconscious.

A session on the self-concept, do’s and don’ts of art therapy and guiding clients on self-expression was led by Ruth Mukami. The participants were guided through a practical experience within their own feelings and emotions. This helped them be better equipped to navigate personal feelings and also guide clients through theirs. All the sessions began with a mini-lecture followed by practical sessions.