Frequently asked questions.
Arts Therapy Kits
We've compiled some commonly asked questions to help you decide if a Papernook Arts Therapy kit is right for you. Have a read or feel free to reach out with your own question by emailing [email protected].
Q: I just want to know a bit more about the kit.
Our product is a one-of-a-kind 'therapy in a box'. It has been specially designed to help you try Arts Therapy from the comfort of your own space, at a pace that feels comfortable. It includes a full instructional process to follow - developed by professional and registered Arts Therapist, Jasmine Sernberg. The instructional guide prompts you to create, reflect and notice. Plus, you'll be inspired to ask yourself questions that lead to new insights and invites more curiosity around what emerges from the inquiry process. You may have heard about Arts Therapy and are curious to know more about this kind of intervention. Or perhaps you just want to give it go for yourself. Perhaps you previously engaged in some Arts Therapy (or still do) and think our boxes look pretty cool! Q. But, what if I am not artistic?
You don't need to be an 'artist' or even achieve a creative outcome. Our kits are not designed to produce a work of art, rather it is more about engaging in a therapeutic process. Q. Who are the kits suitable for?
Our kits are designed for adults and teens. They are a great option for health professionals, carers or people in support and client facing roles and can be used as part of Supervision. The kits are also suitable for employees as part of well-being assistance programs and for teams looking for professional development opportunities. We take a deep dive into a key aspect using a simplified self-guided Arts Therapy approach. Every kit comes with a comprehensive instructional guide (written) and includes a complementary telehealth debrief with an Arts Therapist. Papernook's kits also make a thoughtful gift for loved ones or friends and can be used by workplaces for staff that would like to engage in something alternative to EAP. The kits are not designed or suitable for young children or people with a language or cognitive impairment (or other barrier that would prevent a person to read and/or follow instructional prompts independently). We understand that for many, it can take some time before feeling ready to go and see a Therapist or other health professional. Perhaps it feels difficult to leave your home or there is another reason holding you back from getting in-person help. That's why we've made it our mission to make Arts Therapy easily accessible to everyone in a supportive way. Even if it is just a first step. Please note: if you are in crisis, please seek appropriate and immediate professional support. Q. What are you guided to make in the kit?
Arts Therapy is different to an art lesson or learning a new creative skill, although it can certainly incorporate these aspects. Our Papernook kit incorporates Arts Therapy procedures - so less about being instructed to paint or draw and more about using items to help engage, depict, and make meaning. You may wish to incorporate additional creative materials that feel right to you throughout. The guide invites you to group materials together, to notice key themes that emerge and then create or capture this in visual ways. Kits invite you to engage with tangible, sensory items to describe what is resonating for you and enables you to articulate feelings and thoughts creatively. If you are still feeling unclear, that is perfectly normal and it will make more sense as you begin to unpack the kit. Craft construction, arrangements, story boarding, sketching, colouring and even sewing are examples of some commonly incorporated 'arts-based techniques' we have seen. However, it will be personal to you with no expectation to achieve a creative output. |
Find out what you get in our Arts Therapy Home Kit. Meet Jasmine Sernberg, professional Arts Therapist and creator of therapy in a box - by Papernook.
Q. What comes in the kit?
Stimulus materials including mixed craft objects, nature, image and word cards are some of the things you will find in the kit. They are incorporated specifically to help you engage in the creative process. Not seeing or knowing all of the items is actually key to the explorative and emergent journey. Each box is slightly different, meaning the way you resonate with and engage with these materials will be unique for you. You are welcome to incorporate any other resources or tools along the way as it feels important to your inquiry. Remember: there is no right or wrong! All kits include a Welcome card, Instructional 5-stage guide, the starter materials, additional Expression cards, Journal card and Papernook pen. Q: How long does it take to complete?
There is no right or wrong with how long it might take you to work through a kit. It may take you as little as 1 hour, or up to a few weeks. You may prefer to sit down and work through your kit in one sitting. We often recommend setting up somewhere that allows you to place aside and revisit as often as you feel ready and able. This might mean taking a few sittings to work through the full Arts Therapy process from start to finish. Our instructional guide prompts you to take breaks as often as you need to. Q. What should I do once I've finished?
Once completed, please feel free to either reach out with an image and/or overview for a personalised response OR book a 15 min Telehealth debrief (all-inclusive with your purchase). If you feel comfortable with what you have come to know through the creative process and do not wish to engage further, that is also perfectly fine! We often hear that even after people have completed their kit, many chose to display a visual queue from their kit to remind themselves of a key take away or message. Q. Can I use the Home Kit instead of going to Therapy?
In essence, initially yes. It is important to remember our kits do not replace the expertise and value of a professional Therapist. We believe our kit will definitely help you get started with unpacking something important and will safely guide you to engage in a creative arts-based therapy process. We also include an opportunity to debrief with a professional Arts Therapist as part of this purchase. However, the process may uncover more than you expected. This may require seeking further professional services. Reach out at any time if this occurs for you. Our feedback loop to debrief at the end of your kit ensures you have access to assistance. We will help you to make sense of your process if it is still feeling unfinished and recommend or suggest additional allied health services (if required). We do acknowledge the current long wait lists to see many health practitioners. Our kit may offer you a supportive introduction to Arts Therapy or fill a gap while you await professional services. Learn more about Arts Therapy here. |