"Walk on a rainbow trail; walk on a trail of song, and all about you will be beauty. There is a way out of every dark mist, over a rainbow trail."
-- Virginia Woolf

From the dawn of time, man created art to entertain his fellow, stimulate the mind, and soothe the soul. Art is an integral part of the human condition. It is one of the things that makes us unique in all the animal kingdom. We express our creativity in every way possible - music, dance, poetry, literature, and the visual arts.

In this section of the site we explore the use of art as a therapeutic tool. Whether coping with a mental disorder, stress, or just looking for a way to enrich your life, the process of creating art can provide tremendous benefits to anyone. You don't have to be a professional artist in order to enjoy making art. It is the process of creation that enriches our soul, and provides a positive outlet for our emotions, thoughts and ideas.

There is also ongoing research into a possible connection between certain mental disorders and creativity. For example, statistics show that the occurrence of bipolar disorder within the creative community is significantly higher than in the general population. This section will also explore some of the research and work being done to explore this possible connection between mental disorders and creativity through articles on the topic.

This section also provides an opportunity for anyone to exhibit their art - whether visual, or literary - and share it with others. We hope to add a music gallery in the future. If you wish to share your art with us, please contact us.

Are Creativity and Mental Illness Linked?
All poets are mad," asserted English writer Robert Burton in his 1621 book, The Anatomy of Melancholy. Burton was exaggerating, of course. However, many people do believe that artists are more likely than others to be mentally ill. Many well-known artists, writers and musicians had a history of mental illness, in some cases leading to suicide.

Dialogues with Madwomen
What does it mean to be a "madwoman" and an artist in American society? A review of Allie Light's documentary on the subject, along with an interview, try to answer that question.

Perspectives on the Profession of Dance/Movement Therapy: Past, Present, and Future
Dance/movement therapy developed as a formal psychotherapy practice in the 1940s and has spread internationally. Dance/movement therapists address a great range of difficulties experienced by individuals of all ages in their work. This article offers an overview of the history, development, and current state of the profession of dance/movement therapy. Information is presented on educational training for dance/movement therapists, practice issues, and assessment tools. Reviews of some of the research, research applications, and resources for learning more information about dance/movement therapy are included.

Poetry as Therapy
As a child I remember sitting in school daydreaming. My mind would wander out the window, and as it did, my feet would begin to tap a rhythm. The more I would fall into the rhythm, the more complex it would become, and then words and images would swim to mind.

The Gift of Saturn: Creativity and Psychopathology
As shown by many studies, there is a surprising link between a creative gift and the risk of mental disorder: in fact, the prevalence of mental problems among creatively gifted people is significantly higher than in the general population. This would suggest that genius, as a result of creative aptitude, and madness are connected by a non-casual link.

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