About Art Therapy

WHAT IS ART THERAPY?

Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses art as a tool within a therapy setting.  Reflecting on the art-making process and the final products can provide insight regarding an individual's development, abilities, personality, interests, concerns, and conflicts. Art therapy utilizes the creative process along with the understanding of psychological theories and human development to help individuals solve problems, resolve conflicts, reduce anxiety, build self-esteem, manage behavior, strengthen communication skills, and foster greater self-awareness. 

An art therapist can help the client find meaning in his or her art expressions and reveal patterns or themes that may be associated with difficulties the client may be facing in his or her life.  Often through the use of symbolism and metaphor, themes emerge, are explored, and can be worked through within the art-making process. 

Feelings and experiences can be difficult and confusing to understand and communicate verbally.  Interacting with and accessing a client through art may provide a safer and more comfortable avenue for exploring difficult emotions and experiences.  Art can help clients organize their inner experiences, create distance from them, gain a sense of control and mastery, and verbally communicate and process the impact they have had on their lives. 

WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM ART THERAPY?

People in all stages of life can benefit from art therapy. Art therapy and the approach taken can be modified to fit the needs of the client and their unique treatment goals. 

Young children or children with special needs may benefit from starting with presymbolic and sensory work and move into more symbolic and representational work.  They can be seen individually or have the option of working within a group to focus on social goals.

School-aged children may be having difficulties within their school environment, at home, or socially with peers.  Art therapy may be able to provide a way to access their feelings and experiences in a safer more comfortable way than verbal therapy alone.

Adolescents or adults going through a difficult time in their lives and who are seeking a different approach to therapy may be interested in art therapy.  No previous art experience is necessary.

Some clients may feel more comfortable exploring the art materials and will focus more on what that process means to them within their art-making.  Other clients will focus more on a final product and the aesthetics of that product.  The art-making process can be explored and discussed at any stage of treatment.  Every client is different and art therapy can address the different reasons clients come to therapy and modify an approach best suited for each client.   

art is....     creativity

                           inspiration

                                         vitality

                                                energy

                                                          release

                                                                     growth

                                                                                realization

                                                                                                resiliency

                                                                                                                 transcendence

                                                                                                                                            freedom

                                                                                                                                                              expression

                                                                                                                                                                                    ....therapy