Art therapy is not that well known yet has been around since cavemen days where drawings would be drawn on the cave to depict a story. Many cultures have been depicting stories about their life as a form of art. Think about our indigenous people and Dreamtime, art can and is still used to depict experiences. It became more well known in the days of the first world war, where soldiers would return from war with PTSD, these days it is very well known within hospitals to assist patients to have some space or disassociate from what is taking place, without judgement.
It relies on what is called PCT or person-centred therapy, developed by Carl Rogers. Where the therapy is as it suggested person-centred. There are no questions, or limited questions, which is beneficial for someone who has been traumatised, anxious, depressed, experiencing grief, excellent for children or those who are stuck in the experience, or for someone who is introverted and not so confident talking with others.
The strategies selected during a session is guided by the therapist to achieve the relevant change by guiding the client to get the information about the situation by asking just a couple of things about the art which has been replicated to reflect the problem. The strategies include the use of mindfulness exercises to quieten the conscious mind or in art therapy privilege the unconscious.
Strategies are shared to explore. It could be using drawing, painting, making masks, clay work, doll work, wish boxes, decoupage, cut and paste, it could be dance. It is a therapy which assists a person to get out of their head and be able to look at themselves without judgement
When you see Cindy she may use strategies from Art Therapy or NLP or Hypnotherapy or a mixture.