Description
This innovative Art Therapy Group integrates principles of neuropsychology and positive psychology with the therapeutic creation of mandalas. This workshop aims to provide participants with a holistic approach to mental well-being through creative expression and psychological education. Each session will begin with a brief overview of neuropsychological concepts, emphasizing the brain’s capacity for growth and positive change. Participants will then engage in a guided art therapy exercise focused on creating mandalas infused with mantras and positive affirmations. This combination of artistic creation and cognitive reinforcement aims to enhance self-awareness, reduce stress, and promote a sense of empowerment and positivity among participants.
Throughout the program, participants will explore the therapeutic benefits of mandala-making, understanding how the act of creating intricate patterns can promote relaxation and mindfulness. By incorporating mantras and positive words into their mandalas, individuals will learn to harness the power of affirmations to cultivate a more optimistic mindset and strengthen their psychological resilience. Group discussions and reflections will provide opportunities for participants to share their experiences, deepen their understanding of the mind-body connection, and deepen their personal growth journeys. Creating Mandalas: Integrating Neuroscience and Positive Psychology Art Therapy Group seeks to foster a nurturing environment where creativity, neuroscience, and positive psychology converge to promote holistic well-being and empowerment.
About Kate Van Doren
Kate Van Doren (American, b.1978) explores human resiliency, connection, and the healing power of nature through her realism paintings, drawings, and photography. With over two decades of experience as an art therapist in the mental health field, Kate offers a unique perspective that deeply connects with her subjects and fosters their stories about the human condition.
Kate received an honors degree in Fine Art and Psychology from the University of Oregon (2002) and earned a double master’s in Counseling and Art Therapy from Marylhurst University (2006). As a board-certified art therapist, she has developed and administered art therapy programs for at-risk youth, individuals with severe mental illness, trauma survivors, the elderly, and hospice care patients. She also mentors artists and art therapy students globally.
Kate is the creator of the Healing Words Project, a photography and painting workshop for women that documents the healing journeys of over 2,000 participants. This project has been recognized internationally, including in Newsweek Español as an early intervention program to prevent violence against women.
Her work has been exhibited in galleries and museums across the U.S. , Europe and Mexico, including Art Basel Miami, and is held in private collections worldwide. Kate has been featured in Fine Art Connoisseur, American Art Collector, PoetsArtists, Mod Portrait, and the Art Renewal Center. In 2022, she was an ARC and Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize Finalist and earned 2nd Place in the international FIKVA award for painters. Her work is included in the Peregrine Collection, a time capsule of digitized art and literature sent to the moon.
Kate is based in San Miguel de Allende, México, where she devotes her time to her family, her art therapy practice, activism work, and her fine art studio. Visit katevandoren.com to explore her portfolio.
