WHAT IS ART THERAPY AND HOW DOES IT HELP TO OPEN NEW AVENUES 

Military veterans who have experienced combat are profoundly changed, regardless of the conflict or generation.   Some even say the real war began when they returned home to their civilian life.   Art therapy helps people tap into aspects of ones psyche that aren’t always accessible.

The Fabrication Shop will be a place of sacred healing.  Warriors will be  guided through the process of working with metal as a way to build/create artwork to enhance their healing process.  The process of repurposing scrap metal into something new assists them in their healing process as they are repurposing their lives.  The warrior will continue to build their personal insights through this expressive art activity.

The projects and personal art will be made by warriors who participate in our art program.  In this environment veterans will work together to support each other to learn process in metal fabrication and the use of tools safely and the design process and building strategies.  Each warrior will have the opportunity to design their own creation from start to completion either personally or in groups.  Some of the art will be up for sale and 100% of the proceeds go to the Metal Health Forging Forward to help support the cost of operations and keep the movement growing.  Currently we are located in Brighton, Michigan operating in a small garage supported by several individuals. 

During the working process, the warriors will be encouraged to interact and talk about whatever they feel they need to without judgement. We have two professional therapists, a phychologist specializing in PTSD who also was an officer in the Air Force specializing in phychology  and worked with the VA and now is in private practice, and a neuropsychologist who works with TBI, PTSD and trauma as well as works with the VA.   We will also have bon fires, hangout sessions, classes  and cookouts where we will grow our community into a family so the warriors can have a safe palce to relax and reconnect with the comfort of brotherhood.