Lesson 5: What is Art Therapy?
What is Art Therapy?
Art Therapy is the use of artistic expression and imagery for the purpose of understanding (assessment) and helping (therapy) an individual, family or group. Related fields include music therapy, dance therapy, psychodrama and poetry therapy.
- Definitions and Approaches Vary:
Most emphasize the 'therapy.'
Most approaches emphasize art as a tool for discovering, expressing and working through psychological conflicts and issues. Discussion of the work is central to the process.
But some emphasize the 'art.'
In such approaches, the process of creativity and self-expression is believed to be healing in itself. Discussion of the work may take place, but it is not the central component.
Take a minute to take some Notes: Describe an art therapy procedure that would emphasize the “therapy “vs. one that would emphasize the “art."
- Applications
Art therapy can be used with almost any population. Here are some examples:
- Children with disabilities and/or emotional problems Links to an external site.
- Adolescents in juvenile detention centers Links to an external site.
- Adolescents and adults with substance abuse disorders Links to an external site.
- Families in crisis Links to an external site.
- Prison Inmates Links to an external site.
- Adults with psychiatric conditions (depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, etc…) Links to an external site.
- Adults receiving medical care for cancer and other serious illnesses (same link) Links to an external site.
Art Therapy Basics
- Art therapy can be a primary therapy or a supplement to traditional therapy
- Art therapists have a solid knowledge of art, art materials and the creative process. Many are artists themselves.
- Art therapists work in hospitals, community mental health centers, senior centers, schools, private practice and other therapeutic settings.
Most art therapists assume that:
- The creative process has positive, healing effects
- All people have the capacity to be creative with art
Art therapy nearly always involves two process:
- Doing - image-making, working with materials, creating something
- Reflecting - thinking about the work that has been created, understanding it, and discussing its meaning.
Emphasis is almost always placed on doing and reflecting – not on the final art product. People with little or no art experience benefit from art therapy. The therapist almost never focuses on the quality of the work produced. The point is not to create a masterpiece or improve artistic skill, but to increase self-awareness and confidence.
Goals
The goals of art therapy are similar to the goals of other forms of therapy. Art therapy facilitates awareness, communication, self-understanding, catharsis, self-esteem and problem solving.
Are there unique advantages to art therapy?
When might art therapy be preferable to traditional therapy?
- Art therapy is advantageous primarily because it is a form of non-verbal expression.
- Projection and the lowering of defenses occurs more readily because people are generally not accustomed to communicating with images.
- Art therapy has specific benefits for people with limited verbal skills and for people with well-developed verbal skills
- In the first case because clients my have trouble with expression
- In the second, because verbal expression my be used as a defense mechanism
- Difficult issues can be initially explored through the art at a safe psychological distance.
- Over time, a tangible 'record' of progress emerges.
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE: Lesson 5: Art therapy is uniquely suited to help