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Recommended: Cons of art therapy
This week’s reading focused on benefits of the art therapy in working with the LGBTQ people. It highlights common issues that the art therapy proved to be helpful for when applied in a therapeutic setting. The paper will reflect on stages and models to improve professional practice by addressing the importance of creative expression during coming out process. I was intrigued by this week’s reading about benefits of the art therapy when applied for treating self-expression for the LGBTQ clients. The highlight of the reading was the common issue of coming out and isolation experienced by the LGBTQ clients. The challenge of building the courage to express about one’s sexual identity persists with the LGBTQ members. The fear of guilt and alienation …show more content…
172). The four aspects of the art therapy: permission, limited information, specific information, and intensive therapy are helpful to bring out the underlying feelings of isolation about sexual attraction. The model permits the LGBTQ client to explore and validate his/her identity, and build supportive network of people who do not pathologies their functionality. Through the art therapy the LGBTQ people examine their unique traumatic and abusive issues. The techniques of “self-portraits, collage, group murals, and sculptures” (p. 172) help them to explore their feelings of internalizing victimization, harassment, and power struggles. Nevertheless, it also provides the LGBTQ people an insight to their familial conflicts and fears; feelings of sadness, regret, rejection, disapproval, and shame are also explored. In addition, the symbols and colors of the art therapy help them with reforming their cognitive struggles of internal and external identities. The aspect of the art therapy helps in increasing the personal strength; provide necessary emotional support, and resources. The expression of emotions through art aims to actualize the hidden identity and provide a safe space for expression, which otherwise might be oppressed by some clients (Pelton-Sweet & Sherry,
People from all around the world suffer from many different anxieties and troubles. They turn to things they enjoy so that they can forget reality and be somewhat happy or simply to communicate with one another. Most of the enjoyment is temporary and not sufficient, that is why they continue doing what they do. Creative Arts Therapy, also known as Expressive Arts Therapy, helps those who find themselves completely lost and have nowhere to go or anyone to go to. They can express themselves however they please. In order to better understand arts therapy one must have a knowledge of creativity, emotions and, of course, people.
Andrew Sullivan, author of, What is a Homosexual, portrays his experience growing up; trapped in his own identity. He paints a detailed portrait of the hardships caused by being homosexual. He explains the struggle of self-concealment, and how doing so is vital for social acceptation. The ability to hide one’s true feelings make it easier to be “invisible” as Sullivan puts it. “The experience of growing up profoundly different in emotional and psychological makeup inevitably alters a person’s self-perception.”(Sullivan)This statement marks one of the many reasons for this concealment. The main idea of this passage is to reflect on those hardships, and too understand true self-conscious difference. Being different can cause identity problems, especially in adolescents.
Drawings and other self-generated forms of visual art produced by people suffering from mental illness sparked the interest of psychiatrists around the end of the 19th century. They were considered “outpourings of the mind in turmoil” (Rubin 6). Fascinated by these samples of artwork, psychiatrists began to study them in an attempt to better understand the creator and the illness. Art therapy is a fluid, adaptable and evolving field. Today art therapists employ a variety of methods and work in a variety of rehabilitation settings, but the focus of this paper is the use and benefits of visual art therapy in correctional settings. Unfortunately, there has been little research to measure the effectiveness of art therapy in prison. Researchers are still in the early stages of understanding what art therapy does, how it does this, and why it is effective. Through art therapy programs, prisoners are able to more fully come to know themselves and are therefore fore able to authentically participate in life and community as well as develop an ongoing motivation towards recovery.
Furthermore, the article clarifies that many transgender people experience a stage of identity development that aids in helping them better understanding their own self-image reflection, and expression. More specifically, they reach out to professional...
If I was an art therapist, I would ensure that no one should be “afraid” of expressing his or herself through art. I believe that art is like a story, where people can open up and draw about their life experiences. Through observing their work, I have a better understanding of what has troubled them and would try to help them encouraging them to continue doing this creative outlet that would eventually reduce the problems they have. I believe art is the language that can be used to communicate with others on a deeper level. I am always open to new creativity, and art therapy is the best method for me to be immersed in this new creativity to have a better understanding of
Mental health professional have tried to correct their ‘‘gender identity disorder’’ with brutal aversion therapies. Tran’s youth who came out often faced crises throughout their family and social systems. Once out, developing a sense of realness about their new gender became extremely important. An urgent need develops ‘‘to match one’s exterior with one’s interior’’ In ad...
Widened with amazement, my eyes watched as my fingers swirled the blobs of red and blue paint into a deep purple. The smell of tempera paint and wet wood-chips surrounded me that rainy day in the small playground of De Colores pre-school. I vividly remember feeling that astounded thrice more; first, when I roamed the aisles of Michael’s craft store for the first time, secondly, when I perfected my favorite shrimp dish, and lastly after my first psychology course. Though I have had countless positive and exciting experiences, I have also had some pretty impactful negative ones. Dropping out of high school was the biggest blessing in disguise of my life. It led to my enrollment in a concurrent enrollment program at a local community college that changed my life, through which I met some resilient people that I will always remember. Art therapy is my number one career choice and the Master of Arts in Art Therapy program at Notre Dame de Namur University
Coming out, regardless of what one is coming out as, is incredibly difficult. An important aspect of accepting ones’ sexuality is the support that one gets from others of the same sexuality. “This support comes not only from loved ones … but also from associating with like-minded others in the gay, lesbians, and bisexual communities” (McLean 63). However, even in a group that’s been discriminated against by heterosexuals, there is an outstanding amount biphobia in the LGBT community.
“Art therapy is a form of therapy in making of visual images (paintings, drawings, models etc.) in the presences of a qualified art therapist contributes towards externalization of thoughts and feelings which may otherwise remain unexpressed”(Walter & Gilory, 1992).
This therapy recognizes heterosexual privilege and explores the trauma and shame that occurs to Lesbians and gays, even as children. With my client this is imperative to explore and also the isolation component.
This approach she felt was prominent during the art making portion of the session. Besides from the art portion of a session, Riley believed the verbal component of art therapy was important. Riley explored the stigma surrounding art therapy and the client's verbal expressions. From the book, Integrative Approaches to Family Art Therapy (Riley & Malchiodi, 1994), Riley states: “Hearing client’s language does not negate the process of looking at the art product. It is a synthesis of two creative means of communication.” Joining these two stories was key in Riley’s
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY The LGBTQ+ community consists of the people whose gender identities, romantic, and sexual preferences do not fall into the traditional category of heterosexuality. Over the years, the community has grown and has become more confident in expressing who they are, and are extremely vocal in terms of their demand for equal rights. However, their very existence has been met with criticism, usually on the grounds that not following the usual norm of marrying or being with someone of the opposite gender is a direct violation of religious beliefs or traditions. People belonging to the LGBTQ+ community have experienced various forms of abuse and discrimination just for stating their own personal preferences.
processes of art expression in therapy, Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 21:3, 125-135
Trauma, as defined by the American Psychological Association, is an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, rape or natural disaster. In order to process and overcome a traumatic experience, most seek a therapist. This is especially true for individuals who have dealt with childhood sexual abuse. There are different types of therapy and therapists that exist that individuals go to. Art therapy is a kind of psychotherapy that uses art as it’s main technique of communications in order to improve the emotional and mental well being of the patients. It combines the areas of human development, visual art such as drawing, sculpture, painting and other kinds of art and the artistic process with counseling and psychotherapy.