Art Therapists are continuing to learn a tremendous amount from the way artistic expressions stimulate dialog with individuals who have a experienced a great deal of trauma. If an individual, for example a veteran, is challenged from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), they may find it nearly impossible to find words to describe traumatic events. In fact, the part of the brain that regards language shut downs when an individual is profoundly traumatized (Gussak and Rosal 83). Since art making is ultimately a non-verbal activity, many veterans are able to express themselves in a communicative way when words are not possible. Additionally, the activities implemented in Art Therapy can reconnect the parts of a traumatized individual’s brain over time. This allows the traumatized individual to eventually be able to talk about his or her experiences. Take two groups of individuals. One group only verbally speaks with each other while the other group verbally speaks while drawing pictures. The group verbally speaking while drawing pictures is likely to communicate two to three times more information than the group only verbally speaking (Malchiodi). Art has always been thought to come from the right side of the brain while language comes from the left side of the brain. It has now been discovered that making art is a whole brain activity, meaning it reconnects the right side of the brain …show more content…
It enhances quality of life and decreases depression. It improves cognitive thinking and reduces stress. Overall, Art Therapy not only helps individuals feel better through self-expression, but also acts as an outlet for relief from a crisis or loss (Figure 5). Most importantly, Art Therapy is available to everyone, regardless of artistic abilities. The creative process of art induces wellness and healing, and will continue to improve lives, one image at a time (Figure
• Art therapy utilizes art media, images, and the creative process, and respects patient/client responses
According to the test I took, the top 3 careers I would be great at based on my personality was Art Therapist, Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teacher, postsecondary, also Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses.
Like any medical treatment, there are common misconceptions about art therapy. For instance, one of the most common misconceptions of art therapy is that you have to be an “artist” in order to benefit from the treatment. However, your therapist will never judge or ridicule your artistic ability; it is not about your finished artwork but more concentrated on the creative process as a whole. Another common misunderstanding when it comes to art therapy is that it is only intended for children. Although children are extremely receptive to the treatment adults can also benefit from art therapy by learning how to better self-express, while decreasing stress levels, and increasing one’s overall happiness.
My senior art therapy capstone class gave me the tools not only to understand my personal art making process, but the benefits of artistic creation for other individuals as well. Through this final project, I was able to therapeutically process a traumatic event in my life and turn something negative into a positive light. Process-based art therapy highlights the educational and transformative properties of art making and natural creation.
The use of art therapy in the mental health setting has received mixed acclaim due to inconsistencies in the evidence supporting its efficacy
Art as a therapeutic method was my primary focus throughout the psychology program at Ryerson University. I am familiar with much research regarding art therapy for mental disorders such as depression
Expressive arts therapy is the use of art modalities, creative process, and aesthetic experience in a therapeutic context. It is a therapy of the imagination (McNiff, 1992). Effective communication is an essential element in therapeutic relationships and, although verbal language is the most conventional means of conveying information, other forms can convey just as much as words. The arts are an alternative form of communication that has recently received recognition for their value in therapeutic settings. There is a long well-established connection between the arts and psychology. Expressive arts therapy builds on a natural, complimentary relationship between the two disciplines. As a formal therapy, this form is relatively new with its
Art facilitates the expression of feelings, thoughts, and memories in ways that words cannot. What is more, art therapy has the potential to help traumatized children make sense of their experiences, communicate grief and loss, and become active participants in their own healing process ( Malchiodi, 2005)
The benefit of using expressive arts therapy for the patients in the healthcare, it reduces their symptoms such as stress, anxiety, confusion, pain, and depression. It allows them to understand and to accept the life, death, and bereavement through the therapy. At the same time, it enables them to improve communications between patients, families, and staff. It establishes the positive general wellness in the healthcare. Besides, it engages and enlightens public image of
In the field of mental health, therapists face to work with diverse populations. To provide a superior quality of therapy and elicit positive results, establishing a relationship with a client should be the priority. An adolescent population might be the one that is difficult to build a relationship and thus might be a challenge for beginner therapists. Artistic activities in a therapy session can help adolescent clients open their minds up to a therapist and build a therapeutic relationship. In this paper, I will explore a therapeutic relationship with an adolescent population in art therapy.
Almost every theoretical orientation has adapted the use and techniques of expressive arts therapy in some way. Humanistic psychology, for example, emphasizes the importance of play, creativity, and spontaneity. The creative process is intrinsic to self-actualization. Self-actualization makes life more meaningful and enhances abilities,
Despite all the ways art and music therapy can help people cope with their trauma, there are some disadvantages for them. For instance, art therapy is not very consistent; the results rely heavily on the patient and the therapist. There are a large variety of methods to art therapy and it differs from therapist to therapist. For example, a patient could be truly benefiting from their therapy under one therapist and moving to another then using methods that aren’t as effective for that particular person. Sometimes during a session a patient may express something with no relevance to their trauma. Or a patient may fail to see the correlation between their artwork and the problem. Another example would be that the patient doesn’t feel comfortable with either the medium or the environment and it could cause
Art can be therapeutic in many ways. Other purposes for art include the creation of a sense of self-understanding, a search for meaning, and promotion of personal growth. Art therapy is even healing for some children. As Cathy Malchiodi states, “Many of us have lost contact with these purposes or have not realized that art is more than novelty or ornamentation” (What is Art Therapy? 2). Art has always depicted a wide range of emotions, from happiness to devastation and in that way, it has conveyed experiences without words. Art therapy does this same thing; it conveys emotions through using art rather than using words. Many historical events have been recorded using artwork and Malchiodi explains, “Cultures through the ages have been defined and understood through their art” (What is Art Therapy? 2). Considering its history however, art therapy is still not widely known and often
Psychological improvement is the primary aim of art therapy and the many psychological benefits of art therapy include:
Art therapy is a mental health profession in which clients, facilitated by the art therapist, use art media, the creative process, and the resulting artwork to explore their feelings, reconcile emotional conflicts, foster self-awareness, manage behavior and addictions, develop social skills, improve reality orientation, reduce anxiety, and increase self-esteem. A goal in art therapy is to improve or restore a client’s functioning and his or her sense of personal well-being.