Art therapy is the practice of using creative techniques to treat psychological illnesses and improve mental wellness. The practice of art therapy is based on the notion that artistic expression can promote recovery and mental health.
For thousands of years, people have relied on the arts as a means of self-expression, communication, and healing. But it wasn’t until the 1940s that art therapy began to evolve into a formalized program.
Drawings and other artistic works were frequently used by people with mental illness to express themselves, which encouraged many doctors to consider using art as a therapeutic technique.
Since then, art has grown to be a significant component of the therapeutic community and is utilized in several evaluation and treatment methods.
Art therapy is not the only type of creative art used in the treatment of mental illness. Other types of creative therapies include:
Dance therapy
Drama therapy
Expressive therapy
Music therapy
Writing therapy
The purpose of art therapy is to use the creative process to support individuals as they explore their own self-expression and discover new avenues for self-understanding and coping mechanisms.
People can explore their emotions, grow in self-awareness, learn to manage stress, increase their self-esteem, and improve their social skills by making or appreciating art.
Techniques used in art therapy can include:
Collage
Coloring
Doodling and scribbling
Drawing
Finger painting
Painting
Photography
Sculpting
Working with clay
Clients may evaluate their work as they develop it and the emotions it evokes. People can look for themes and conflicts that may be influencing their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours by studying the themes and conflicts in their art.
What Art Therapy Can Help With
Art therapy can be used to treat a wide range of mental disorders and psychological distress. In many cases, it might be used in conjunction with other psychotherapy techniques such as group therapy or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT).
Some conditions that art therapy may be used to treat include:
Aging-related issues
Anxiety
Cancer
Depression
Eating disorders8
Emotional difficulties
Family or relationship problems
Medical conditions
Psychological symptoms associated with other medical issues
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Psychosocial issues
Stress
Substance use disorder
No of your level of artistic ability or experience, a 2016 study in the Journal of the American Art Therapy Association found that engaging in creative activities for less than an hour can lower stress and improve mental health. 10
With clients ranging from young children to elderly individuals, an art therapist may employ a number of artistic techniques, such as collage, painting, sculpting, and drawing.
The ability to express themselves creatively can be helpful for clients who have dealt with psychological disorders such as anxiety, depression, domestic violence, and emotional trauma.
The following are some scenarios where art therapy might be used:
Adults experiencing severe stress
Children experiencing behavioural or social problems at school or at home
Children or adults who have experienced a traumatic event
Children with learning disabilities
Individuals living with a brain injury
People experiencing mental health problems
