Art Therapy is known as a coping mechanism that helps promote self-expression and feelings through the uses of an artistic medium or concept (Seaward, B.L 2012). When art and therapy are combined it creates a means of creativity, wellness and healing. Art therapy not only promotes self- expression but it also helps patients relax through a creative means. This creative coping mechanism has determined its success rate through various experiments and case studies. An art therapy study was conducted in the United States that involved various students who were experiencing levels of anxiety one week prior to testing. This specific study involved 57 undergraduate students (Sadmire 2012). The art therapy activities included still life drawing, free form painting, coloring pre-designed mandalas, modeling with clay, collage making, and basic acrylic painting. Because of these specific activities the average score for anxiety levels decreased significantly once recorded after each of the art therapy activities (Sadmire 2012). Art therapy is a known stress and anxiety reducer because of the results of this study. This particular study proves that participating in even a short session of art therapy will reduce any sort of stress and anxiety levels, especially in college students (Sadmire 2012). In addition to the previous article this particular study involves the uses of clay and the act of clay making in relation to ball handling. Over the years there has been a fascination with the uses of clay as a therapeutic purpose. It is noted that the uses of clay is a great way to decrease negativity and improve moods (Kimport 2012). The act of clay handling releases tension and allows there to be a success rate with in the individual as far a... ... middle of paper ... ...tive focus. Art Therapy, 25(4), 164-169. doi:10.1080/07421656.2008.10129550 DiSunno, R., Linton, K., & Bowes, E. (2011). World Trade Center tragedy: Concomitant healing in traumatic grief through art therapy with children. Traumatology, 17(3), 47-52. doi:10.1177/1534765611421964 Henderson, P., Rosen, D., & Mascaro, N. (2007). Empirical study on the healing nature of mandalas. Psychology Of Aesthetics, Creativity, And The Arts, 1(3), 148-154. doi:10.1037/1931-3896.1.3.148 Kimport, E. R., & Robbins, S. J. (2012). Efficacy of creative clay work for reducing negative mood: A randomized controlled trial. Art Therapy, 29(2), 74-79. doi:10.1080/07421656.2012.680048 Sandmire, D., Gorham, S., Rankin, N., & Grimm, D. (2012). The influence of art making on anxiety: A pilot study. Art Therapy, 29(2), 68-73. doi:10.1080/07421656.2012.683748
For example, adolescents are often forced into therapy by their parents or school as a result of an inability to cope with stress in a socially acceptable way. Patients at this stage are too old to engage in play therapy, where therapists analyze a child’s behavior during play and when presented with toys. Also, patients acting out during adolescence are often too young to obtain the maturity to verbalize their emotions in a socially acceptable form. Art therapy is useful at this stage of development because similar impulses expressed in play therapy are expressed through drawings, meanwhile not requiring verbal communication. Art therapy introduces the mature defense mechanism of sublimation to the patient, guiding them to achieve better self control as they learn to communicate their impulses through art and talking about their art. A particular form of therapy is managed in groups, and adolescents are encouraged to engage in conversation about their drawings while they are creating them. This creates an environment of low anxiety, allowing patients communicate internal conflict and disregard their normal defense mechanisms that are used to conceal these emotions. The defense mechanism of sublimation is apparent in this process, as the use of color, composition, space and shapes to provide an
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.
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.
Occupational therapy (OT) theory offers valuable contribution to support professionalization since possessing a unique body of knowledge is essential to define a profession (Cooper, 2012). To utilize theory effectively, it is essential to differentiate between generic and specific theory as knowledge of the core theory helps to form OT identity and action as a practicing practitioner. In this essay, OT theory refers only to philosophy and OT specific models. Frame of references (FOR) will not be included since it can be shared with the other professions (Boniface & Seymour, 2012).
“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).
Occupational therapy is an area of rehabilitation. Occupational therapists help to improve their patient’s’ ability in performing everyday tasks. They assist people of all ages who have a physical or developmental issues which prevent them from living independent lives. A job in occupational therapy may involve assessing patient’s environments, creating therapy plans, educating families or employers of patients, recording patient’s’ progress, or instructing patients’ on how to use equipment or perform exercises to handle their impairment.
Kramer, Edith. “The Art Therapists Third Hand: Reflections on Art, Art Therapy, and Society at Large.” American Journal of Art Therapy Feb. 1986: 71-86.
Dance group for people of older age also help to improve and maintain physical health. Furthermore creative arts can also improve mental health, Bagan (2015) states that “Current studies in the fields of art therapy, music therapy, and other creative modalities confirm that art can affect individuals in positive ways by inducing both psychological and physiological healing.” Bagan states that incorporating expressive arts into older people’s routine helps to improve cognitive ability particularly for people who may be suffering from alzhimers or dementia. Ibid (2015) also states that studies have shown art can reduce depression and anxiety associated with these
mpairment. Work for an occupational therapist is also about more than simply having the individual employed and earning an income, from the occupational therapy perspective having an individual engaged in the occupation of work also allows for social engagement and contributes to protecting the individual from being exposed to occupational risk factors such as occupational deprivation which can be defined as the influence of external agency which prevents a person from participating in occupations which allows them to experience well-being (Wilcock, 1998). Another risk factor which they may be exposed to is occupational imbalance which can be defined as a "state that exists because people’s engagement in occupation fails to meet their unique
Amongst every great profession, there is a strong foundation that it was built on. However, change over time is what keeps the profession moving forward and being successful. We live in a world where things are changing every second, so if we remain in the past, we will let every great opportunity to grow past us by. Occupational Therapy was built to help those who suffered from both physical and mental disabilities. It was the foundation of moral treatment from Philippe Pinel and William Tuke which requires people to treat people with compassion. Also, the Arts and craft movement by John Ruskin and William Morris, that we believed that those who uses arts or crafts, helps them physically and mentally, thus make them healthier (O’Brien et al.,
“To use art, counselors need to learn how to integrate art therapeutically into counseling. In using art, they need to emphasize process over product and clarify the potential benefits to the student. It has been suggested that art therapy fits nicely into the American School Counselor Association’s national standards.” (Howard, 2017).
Art Education is not always valued in school settings. Although some may see it as an unnecessary use of school funding, there are many who believe it is beneficial to students in more ways than one. There are many different studies that have been conducted to test the effects that art education has on school-aged children. Some studies have proven that art education can help students to improve in other academic areas. In a journal article from Ohio State University’s “Theory in Practice,” Karen A Hamblen states, “There are linkages between art learning and learning in other subjects areas and that art study can promote creative behaviors, critical thinking skills, and academic achievement.” It has also been found that the arts can teach children better self-regulatory strategies, and even foster more confidence and self-efficacy in school which relates to confidence in academics. Overall, art education in schools has been very beneficial and has proven to ignite creativity, confidence, critical thinking skills, and academic achievement in students.
Art can benefit the unhealthy as well. With 34,000 soldiers coming back from Afghanistan as proposed by Barack Obama, there are many who consequently have mental disabilities or post-traumatic stress disorder. To cope with depression, or other symptoms, many doctors have used art programs...
While comparing the number of scientific research and evidence for effectiveness collected for both the techniques, I found that there are many more scientific researches done on the effectiveness of expressive art technique for stress management. Moreover, expressive art has also proved beneficial during the treatment of critical illnesses such as cancer. Moreover, expressive art therapy enables one to express their feelings and emotions through art which otherwise would be difficult to express through words. According to me, both these therapies have proved to be extremely effective in helping people cope with stress. Yet, if needed to choose one, I believe expressive art would be the most effective stress management technique amongst the two.