Art Therapy

Venue: Maple Musicology Academy

Date: 25/3/15
Time: 9am 5pm

What is Art Therapy?

Art therapy is a form of expressive therapy
that uses the creative process of making art
to improve a persons physical, mental, and
emotional wellbeing
The
creative
process
involved
in
expressing ones self artistically can help
people to. resolve issues as well as
develop and manage their behaviors and
feelings, reduce stress, and improve selfesteem and awareness.
You dont need to be talented or an artist
to
receive
the

Art therapy can achieve different things for

different people. It can be used for counseling by
therapists, healing, treatment, rehabilitation,
psychotherapy, and in the broad sense of the term,
it can be used to massage ones inner-self in a way
that may provide the individual with a deeper
understanding of him or herself.
Art therapy is the therapeutic use of art making,
within a professional relationship, by people who
experience illness, trauma or challenges in living,
and by people who seek personal development.
Through creating art and reflecting on the art
products and processes, people can increase
awareness of self and others, cope with symptoms,
stress and traumatic experiences; enhance
cognitive abilities; and enjoy the life-affirming
pleasures of making art.

Art therapists are professionals trained in

both
art
and
therapy.
They
are
knowledgeable about human development,
psychological theories, clinical practice,
spiritual,
multicultural
and
artistic
traditions, and the healing potential of art.
They use art in treatment, assessment and
research, and provide consultations to
allied professionals. Art therapists work
with people of all ages: individuals,
couples, families, groups and communities.
They provide services, individually and as
part of clinical teams, in settings that
include mental health, rehabilitation,
medical
and
forensic
institutions;
community outreach programs; wellness
centers; schools; nursing homes; corporate

Who can use Art

Therapy?
In a world where there is a multitude of
ways to communicate and express ones
self, expressive arts therapy is yet another.
One of the major differences between art
therapy and other forms of communication
is that most other forms of communication
elicit the use of words or language as a
means of communication. Often times,
humans are incapable of expressing
themselves within this limited range.

One of the beauties of art as therapy is the

ability for a person to express his/her
feelings through any form of art. Though
there are other types of expressive
therapies (such as the performing arts),
expressive art therapy as discussed here
typically utilizes more traditional forms of
artsuch
as
painting,
drawing,
photography, sculpture, or a variety of
other types of visual art expression.

What does an Art

Therapist Do?
they are masters when it comes to using
art as a springboard for everything from a
general assessment of another persons
state to treatment for aiding serious
illness. Art therapists can work with people
of all ages, sex, creed, et al. They can help
an individual, a couple, a family, or groups
of people and depending on the situation,
there may be numerous therapists working
together as a clinical team.

Art therapists are trained to pick up on

nonverbal symbols and metaphors that are
often expressed through art and the
creative process, concepts that are usually
difficult to express with words. It is through
this process that the individual really
begins to see the effects of art therapy and
the discoveries that can be made.

Why do we use Art

Therapy?
As with most any therapy, art as therapy is
generally used as a treatment for
something usually as a way to improve
ones emotional state or mental well-being.
Expressive arts therapy doesnt have to be
used only as a treatment though. It can be
used to relieve stress or tension, or it can
be used as a mode of self-discovery. Many
people can stand to use some sort of
creative outlet.

Art as a form of
Therapy
Expressive Art Therapy is the use of
creative arts as a form of therapy and is a
fantastic field that has proven to work
wonders in many peoples lives. It can help
someone express themselves, explore their
emotions, manage addictions, and improve
their self-esteem. It really helps children
with developmental disabilities, however;
art therapy is awesome because it can
help everyone.

Listening to music, or doing an activity like

drawing relaxes you after a long day? That is
because it is very therapeutic. If you see a
professional art therapist, they can help you
interpret the feelings that pour into your
design, and even help work through and
resolve problems. Studies have also proven
that colouring, even as an adult, has
tremendous
benefits.
Unfortunately,
colouring, drawing, painting, and playing
music is very taboo in the adult world. Break
away from that social expectation, and see
how freeing it is to let your creativity flow.

Music, art, and dance are the main

expressions for this variety of therapy. Music
Therapy can be a mix of playing instruments,
listening to music, and singing. Dance
Therapy utilizes dance and movement. It
makes sense that it is so effectivelots of
endorphins are released into your body when
you shake it! Art therapy can be a mixture of
drawing, colouring, painting, sculpting and
pretty much everything else you can think of
that is artistic. These are all things people
love to do as hobbies, so why not use it to
better yourself and show yourself some love?

Besides helping someone better their

emotional being, art therapy is great for
many other things. It can help general
illness. Art is a fabulous escape from
feeling icky. Art therapy can help someone
who has a cancer diagnosis. Battling
cancer takes both a very physical and
emotional toll, and is even a struggle
accepting the diagnosis. Art and dance are
powerful expressions of these emotions,
and can help relieve a lot of stress, anger,
and sadness. Someone in need of therapy
to have some relief after a disaster would
also be an excellent candidate for artistic
therapy.

There are so many uses and benefits to

expressive arts therapies, that can help
drastically improve peoples lives for a
plethora of reasons. Even if you dont
need serious help, it can be a great way to
release stress after a long work week. Art
therapy is a growing field that is being
more widely accepted, so it is also an
opportunity as a career field! Be bold, be
creative, and be expressive and give art
therapy a try!