Yes, we are biased when it comes to advocating anything and everything artsy, but trust us there are various positive effects art can have on your mental health.
So let us start from the basics:
What is the real deal with Art Therapy?
So by definition, art therapy is a specialized area of mental health that uses art materials and the creative process to explore emotions, reduce anxiety, increase self-esteem, and resolve other psychological conflicts.
The American Art Therapy Association states that art therapy can be an effective mental health treatment for individuals who have experienced depression, trauma, medical illness, and social difficulties. Making art in therapy can be a way to achieve personal insight as well as healing.
It’s a form of expressive therapy that utilizes different art materials such as markers, clay, collage images, oil and chalk pastels and coloured pencils to support the client in externalizing their thoughts, feelings and beliefs so that they can be addressed and explored in a non-threatening way.
“Art washes from the soul the dust of everyday life.” —Pablo Picasso
How Art Therapy Works?
Through integrative methods, art therapy engages the mind, body, and spirit in ways that are distinct from verbal articulation alone. Kinesthetic, sensory, perceptual, and symbolic opportunities invite alternative modes of receptive and expressive communication, which can circumvent the limitations of language. Visual and symbolic expression gives voice to experience and empowers individual, communal, and societal transformation.
Is it just for kids?
Why do we think all the amazing and fun things are for kids in this world? Well! The short answer is no, art therapy is most certainly not just for kids. Of course, children can benefit greatly from creative and expressive therapies, but art therapy is just as effective for adults.
Health issues treated by Art Therapy
Art therapy has been shown to benefit people of all ages. Research indicates art therapy can improve communication and concentration and can help reduce feelings of isolation. This type of therapy has also been shown to lead to increases in self-esteem, confidence, and self-awareness.
Positive results in art therapy may often be achieved by those facing issues such as:
Anxiety
Depression
Substance dependency
Stress
Posttraumatic stress
Attention deficit hyperactivity
Ageing and geriatric issues
Cancer
Compassion fatigue
Heart disease
Anorexia
Bulimia
Other eating disorders
Cognitive impairments
Family or relationship issues
Because art therapy allows people to express feelings on any subject through creative work rather than with speech, it is believed to be particularly helpful for those who feel out of touch with their emotions or feelings. Individuals experiencing difficulty discussing or remembering painful experiences may also find art therapy especially beneficial.
Do you need to be good at Art in order to benefit from Art Therapy?
Absolutely not. The power of art therapy lies in the process of creating the art itself. And you need not be “afraid” of expressing yourself through art. Though it may seem different and unnatural at first, it is typically because the individual is not used to communicating via the arts. The creative process can be one of the most rewarding aspects. Coupled with an art therapist, you should gradually, if not immediately, feel comfortable with this newfound form of expression. After all, the goal is not necessarily to create an art masterpiece.
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