Maryam Medan is an art therapist, founder of Art Therapy Journey, self love & healing journey. “I believe everyone has light in their hearts, I’m just here to help them reconnect with their soul and their nature.” And founder of Donate A Toy, to bring joy into the hearts of children who need love and mercy around the world.
Written by: Rahma Ahmed Farid 20060283
Tell me more about Art therapy journey?
My own journey, started at first after I graduated, I always loved drawing as a child. But I never really gave myself a chance or time to grow my talent. I remember my mental health was a bit down right after graduation. I was depressed because I’ve studied a matter that didn’t interest me. I felt like my identity was lost. I wasn’t sure what after all the years of hard work? I had 3 months after my graduation where I had free time, I gave Maryam a chance to paint and express herself. Beside that I didn’t take any Arts course, I was surprised with my ability to express my emotions through painting. And I made really pretty Art works. And when I left my job in medicine I had many doors open to me in the field of Art therapy that I had previous background on from Donate A Toy, my initiative to help make children in need happy by collecting toys and sharing it with them
When did you find about your passion in Art therapy?
Back then, I didn’t know what was it that I’m painting, but It helped me not only break free from my depressed emotions with no extra help but also it gave me a great self confidence. I knew I was an artist in the making. That was the only time I felt alive. I could paint for 10 hours straight and I wouldn’t get bored. The first time I saw art therapy live was in a hospital in Cairo with autistic children, where I was there for giving them the toys. At that time I wished I would study Art therapy.
How did you manage to work on nurturing that passion?
In 2020, I took the decision of leaving the field of medicine as I knew I couldn’t find my soul in what I do. At first it was a challenge to leave it, as the field of arts in Egypt doesn’t seem to pay well. And my paintings were mainly expressive art and not landscape or portraits, I painted when I felt something I would express. But I trusted in god and I had thanks to god many opportunities to study art therapy online as well as many other sciences, that included self help and self awareness. Whilst studying those subjects I was driven by love and understanding to Maryam. I saw that as a ceasefire to my soul, after 12 years of feeling my soul imprisoned. For me it was a sort of inner healing, to understand myself more. And as soon as I saw the inner difference throughout my journey, I believe I was able to reflect in the same way with other people. I was able to listen to them, empathize with their emotions.
What were your main goals, what message did you want to deliever through introducing people to the journey?
Mainly I wished everyone would go back to his authenticity and nature that god created within him. Everyone has a true heart but when you supress your emotions, it becomes like a block. When we give ourself the chance to express ourselves and our emotions in a safe environment with no judgment, we reconnect with our soul again. I believe everyone has light in their hearts, I’m just here to help them reconnect with their soul and their nature. I thought it would take me a while to introduce art therapy to people, but I was amazed that many people were interested. I worked with people from America, Europe, Maghrib, Tunisia, Algeria, and different governorates of Egypt. I wasn’t imagining people were interested in art therapy. They told me how they’re happy they finally found someone who mixed between the science of the west with the religious culture of the east. Because I believe the religions over all didn’t guide us to supress our emotions or neglect them.
What is the most important benefit in Art therapy for mental health in your point of view ?
As I first remember art therapy with autistic children it has made them connect with their soul. I believe that art therapy is the langauge which speaks to the soul. For me, art therapy is the oldest therapeutic program ever used in history. It was the first way of expression used by the early humans before learning to write. The child is born with the desire to grab coloring pens and color before learning to write. Art therapy not only helps you to break free from your emotions by expressing them but it also helps turn it into something that’s beautiful. And this for me, is the definition of healing.
Contact & Background info
Written by: Rahma Ahmed Farid
A Healthier You 
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