Often, words are not enough to express how we feel. However, it’s incredibly important to express our emotions. What we keep inside weighs us down, isolates us, and can harm our mental health. This is why art therapy has become so important.
If you’ve ever wondered what art therapy is, how it works, and why it’s so effective, this blog is for you.
What is Art Therapy?
According to The Art Therapy Credentials Board, art therapy uses art media, the creative process, and the resulting artwork as a therapeutic and healing process.
Clients – young, old, and in-between – are able to explore their feelings, reconcile emotional conflicts, foster self-awareness, manage behavior, develop social skills, improve reality orientation, reduce anxiety, and increase self-esteem.
Art therapy is practiced in mental health, rehabilitation, medical, educational, and forensic settings – as well as in private practice, in workshops and small-group settings. Clients come from all walks of life, facing a full array of challenges. Individuals, couples, families, and groups can benefit from various art therapy formats.
This kind of therapy is an effective treatment for people experiencing developmental, medical, educational, social, or psychological impairment. A key goal in art therapy is to improve or restore the client’s functioning and his/her sense of personal well-being.
Art therapists are trained in both art and therapy. The process isn’t an art lesson – it is grounded in the knowledge of human development, psychological theories, and counseling techniques.
What Can Art Therapy Help With?
According to The American Art Therapy Association, art therapy is particularly effective during times of crisis, changes in circumstance, trauma, and grief.
According to research, art therapy helps people feel more in control of their own lives, and helps relieve anxiety and depression, including among cancer patients, tuberculosis patients in isolation, and military veterans with PTSD. In addition, art therapy assists in managing pain by moving mental focus away from the painful stimulus.
“Exploring the unique power of art therapy to help people improve cognitive and sensory-motor functions, foster self-esteem and self-awareness, cultivate emotional resilience, promote insight, enhance social skills, reduce conflicts and distress, and advance societal and ecological change”, American Art Therapy Association.
Why is Art Therapy So Powerful?
Art therapy is a powerful therapeutic approach for several reasons:
- Non-verbal expression: Art therapy allows individuals to express emotions and experiences that may be difficult to put into words, providing a unique outlet for communication.
- Stress reduction: Creating art can be a meditative and calming process, helping to reduce stress and anxiety levels.
- Self-discovery: Through artistic expression, individuals can gain insights into their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, fostering self-awareness and personal growth.
- Trauma processing: Art therapy can be particularly effective in processing traumatic experiences by providing a safe, symbolic way to explore and integrate difficult memories.
- Cognitive stimulation: Engaging in creative activities stimulates various areas of the brain, potentially improving cognitive function and problem-solving skills.
- Empowerment: The act of creating something tangible can boost self-esteem and provide a sense of accomplishment, especially for those struggling with mental health issues.
These factors contribute to making art therapy a powerful tool in mental health treatment and personal development.
What is the Art Method of Therapy?
According to the Art Therapy Credentials Board, art therapy uses art media, the creative process, and the resulting artwork as a therapeutic and healing process.
Clients – young, old, and in-between – are able to explore their feelings, reconcile emotional conflicts, foster self-awareness, manage behavior, develop social skills, improve reality orientation, reduce anxiety and increase self-esteem.
Is Art Therapy a Good Fit?
According to Psychology.org, researchers don’t have a solid answer to the question “How does art therapy work?” There’s no way to tell for certain whether art therapy is a good fit for any given client. No form of therapy is one-size-fits-all, and a client and therapist may need to explore different approaches before finding the right one.
A client may need to consider several therapists before picking one. As a potential client, ask about:
- The therapist’s experience with your particular mental health concern
- Which kinds of art the therapist use
- How the therapist works with clients with your level of artistic experience
- What outcomes to expect from art therapy
You should be able to tell in 1-3 sessions if art therapy works for you.
You can also check this informative post from Alyse Ruriani – Art Therapist and Author of The Big Feelings Survival Guide – that explains in a really simple way what art therapy is:
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