How to Use Art Therapy to Unlock Your Full Creative Potential

Here I dive into the incredible art therapy session I had in Playa Del Carmen with Unleash Your Creator. I interview the founder where we discuss what art therapy is, and how she built her business.

When we arrived in Playa Del Carmen we connected with a friend who invited us to an art therapy session. I had never tried it, but had always been intrigued. What happened during our two hours together was healing, empowering, and motivating. 

For this article, I sat down with Mónica Liceaga, the founder and art therapist of Unleash Your Creator. I wanted to know more about what drew her to art therapy, and how it works. I also wanted to know how she created her business in Playa Del Carmen.

If you’re heading to the Quintana Roo or Yucatan region you have to schedule an art therapy session with Monica. You can do group sessions, or individual sessions. You can use me as a referral to get $5 off your session. Monica provides all the supplies and a truly transformative experience.

Whether you’re trying to work through an emotional, creative or professional block, or you just want to have a fun afternoon- these sessions are helpful and enjoyable to all. Below you can find my interview with the founder and art therapist of Unleash Your Creator, Mónica Liceaga:

Q: What got you started in/attracted to Art Therapy? 

M: Finding my thing began with getting lost, which was during a “professional and existential crisis” back in 2017. My life was shaken from head to toe by this profound confusion about my purpose and what I really wanted to do.

You probably know the saying “never waste a good crisis.” I know now that it means that feelings are moving forces. They are invitations, especially the uncomfortable ones, to confront the fact that we have derailed somewhat from our authentic selves and need to come back to it.

So, when this happened, I intuitively knew that this sadness and pain came to say, “Hey, look within and get back to your path.” The extreme discomfort became my motivation to get more curious and to try out new, or old, hobbies again.

That’s when I started painting and began to find true relief through it. I realized how much the stories of artists like Basquiat, Van Gogh, and Leonora Carrington had shaped me, and that art was a big part of me.  I had ignored it because it didn’t previously fit into my “practical” world.

Q: How did you turn this passion into your business, Unleash Your Creator? 

M: I had a feeling that I wasn’t alone in this craving for authentic expression. Even though not all of us need to walk the Artist’s Way, I believe that we all need art in our lives. Even before speaking, we were painting the walls to communicate- art is an instinct, and it’s there for a reason.

Then I thought, “If there’s a need, there’s a market.” I’m a mix between an artist and a business-oriented person. I found in Art Therapy my Ikigai– the sweet spot between my different passions, talents, proclivities and what the world needs. It involves expression, healing, mindfulness, designing, community, and coaching- so it feels made for me!

So the initial idea was to create options to say, “Hey, you can still be a surgeon or a stock marketer, or whatever, but you can also come and take two hours a week to unleash the artist within you too.” If you think about it, creativity is what makes us human. It’s the ability to imagine and manifest not only solutions but beauty, and to get lost in the mystery within ourselves.

We’re becoming more and more practical collectively. We live in a very conditioned and repetitive society filled with concrete jungles. We’re losing the ability to get in contact with emotions and that “jazzy” aspect of ourselves that helps us improvise and deal with uncertainty with grace, and not suffering and fear.

When you see art from that deeper perspective, it doesn’t seem useless anymore. It may seem contradictory, but we need it now more than ever.

Q: How has Art Therapy personally helped you?

M: First of all, it gives me the possibility to serve and work with pleasure. I think that’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever felt. Secondly, when I feel distressed or confused, I sit and take my own medicine (Art therapy). I can use it to recenter and process unsettling emotions.

Art therapy has taught me how to use my “lonely” times to enjoy myself and reinvent myself; without having to have big crises, pain or a breakdown. Ultimately, it has given me the gift of being at peace with myself.

Q: How has the response been to Unleash Your Creator?

M: I think this interview is a perfect example of what usually happens. After taking a session, people get curious and want to talk about it. For me, that’s the most significant achievement.

I’ve been invited to speak about Unleash Your Creator at radio interviews. The project was mentioned in the Riviera Maya Entrepreneurial Magazine as the highlighted cultural entrepreneurship of December 2020. The real jewel for me, however, is that thanks to these channels, more people can come and work with me to experience the treasure of our full creative capacity.

Q: What is the most rewarding thing for you when leading a group?

M: I used to be a “lonely child,” so I know the pain and struggles of feeling like you don’t belong. That’s the root of my passion for Community Building. I believe that the feeling of togetherness is therapy in itself.

There’s nothing more healing than when you can relax, share your true self, transcend the barriers of judgment and play with others. It’s like coming back to innocence. It’s also genuinely empowering because we are now resourceful adults that can add to each other’s lives when working together.  

Q: How do you hope to grow Unleash Your Creator moving forward? 

M: Taking the brand to the next level will mean things like organizing more complex events, and building my branding and online presence.

The real challenge for me will be to grow without losing the core values of freedom, simplicity, and community. Yet, I’m excited about it. I think that Unleash Your Creator is a name that reminds me that I will forever be transcending my own limits. Even as I take on the new challenges of building a sustainable business to serve more people in better ways.

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I personally had an incredible experience working with Monica. I was able to tap into a part of myself I usually can’t access. As a somewhat rigid thinker and recovering perfectionist, it’s hard to let go. This is especially difficult in a group setting. I have struggled to stay in touch with my creative and playful side.

Monica immediately sets the mood, makes the space incredibly safe and welcoming and opens with a meditation. Everyone in our group, including me, was able to truly get into the art process. We discovered important insights when discussing the challenges that arose during the process, and what we ended up creating.

Monica does group and individual art therapy sessions, and she also hosts draw and sip nights. 

Special Promotion: 

A 1:1 session is 20$ USD. Use me as a referral to get $5 off for a total of $15 USD per session. 

Coming to Playa Del Carmen in March or Living in Mexico?

Monica is leading a 12 week accountability circle and creative coaching, using the Artist’s Way Challenge. Contact her to sign up. It’s possible to participate remotely as well. Challenge begins March 1st. 

You Can Book By Contacting Monica at:

P: (+52) 4771643574

E: hi@unleashyourcreator.com

F: Unleash Your Creator

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