Art therapy allows feelings to be expressed through art. Like regular therapy, art therapy might not be for everyone. Art therapy uses both artistic and therapeutic techniques to provide clients with a way to express themselves through their work. Art therapy is used in many places and provides benefits for those who participate. It is important to implement art therapy into everyday life because it will allow one to find themselves. The first person to refer to therapeutic applications of art was Adrian Hill, in England, while being treated for tuberculosis. Edward Adamson, another artist, continued Hill’s work and opened a studio for patients to freely create art without being judged. Art therapy was introduced in America during the 1940’s by Margaret Naumburg and Edith Kramer. Margaret Naumburg was a psychologist whose work was based on the idea “of using art to release the unconscious by encouraging free association” (“The History”). Naumburg would encourage patients to interpret and analyze their artwork. Dr. Edith Kramer, an Austrian woman, founded the art therapy graduate program at New York University and served as the Adjunct Professor of the program from 1975 to 2005. According to the Art Therapy Journal, by the middle of the 20th century “many hospitals and mental health facilities began including art therapy programs after observing how this form of therapy could promote emotional, developmental, and cognitive growth in children” (“The History”). Art therapy incorporates art and therapeutic techniques and aids people of all ages. Many people may benefit from art therapy because they may “find it scary or difficult to express themselves in a clinical setting” (How Art). Art therapy is “the prescripti... ... middle of paper ... ...lletin 2 Dec. 2013: n. pag. Health Reference Center Academic. Web. 3 Dec. 2013. “How Art Therapy Can Help Children.” Art Therapy For Children. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Dec. 2013. Johnson, Carol M., and Eileen M. Sullivan-Marx. “Art Therapy: Using the Creative Process for Healing and Hope among African American Older Adults.” Npaonline. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Dec. 2013. Peebles, Alison. “How Can Art Therapy Benefit People with Depression, Anxiety, and Stress.” Counselling-directory. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Dec. 2013. “The Rialto Jean Project Partners with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles to Supply Art Therapy to Children.” Entertainment Close-up. 4 Aug. 2013. General OneFile. Web. 3 Dec. 2013. Schwartz, Deah, Dr. "Art Therapy Activities." Art Therapy RSS. N.p., 2008-2013. Web. 03 Dec. 2013. “What Is Art Therapy.” American Art Therapy Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Dec. 2013.
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.
Art therapy uses media and the creative process in healing, the key word here being process. We all know how revealing the artwork of children can be of their emotions. Art therapy applies this concept across the spectrum in a multitude of situations. It functions in many of the same settings as conversational therapy: mental health or rehabilitation facilities, wellness centers, educational institutions, nursing homes, in private practices or in a client's home. An art therapist may work with an individual or group, in families or couples. While most therapy is based on conversation between the therapist and his or here client/s, art therapy integrates visual communication into th...
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
In recent times, trying to express oneself has become increasingly difficult; this is as such with patients suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a result of extreme exposure to physical harm or danger. These traumatic experiences could be caused by reasons such as near-death, serious accident, violence, war, torture, or any event that causes extreme fear. A common occurrence with patients dealing with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a hesitancy or inability to discuss or express emotions and thoughts verbally. We as art therapist need to come up with a method to reawaken the positive emotions and address the symptoms of emotional freezing in patients with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. If not, these patients will suffer lifelong with damaged relations and innumerable ailments, both physical and mental. With that being noted, the method of associative art and its various forms will bridge the gap between the imprisoned emotions detained by those suffering Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and the positive aspects of their life.
My vision of Art Therapy was very vague. I always thought art therapy was a form of therapy for distressed or abused children trying to tell a story through pictures or drawings. The American Art Therapy Association defines art therapy as a mental health profession that uses the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental, and emotional well being of individuals of all ages. Art therapy is a form psychotherapy that has been practiced for over sixty years and it has been promoted as a means of helping people who find it difficult to express themselves verbally (Crawford, et al., 2010). Art therapy sessions usually start with a form of relaxation such as deep breathing , progressive muscle relaxation, or setting an intention for the session ahead (Hart, 2010). Art therapy is used for several different types of people with diverse illnesses such as: Autism Spectrum Disorder, people living with HIV/AIDS, mental disorders and even Cancer. Studies show that art therapy can lead to increased self awareness of self, as well as improved ability to cope with symptoms, stress, and traumatic experiences (American Art Therapy Association). This form of therapy helps these patients express positive feelings that may not be easy to access in the midst of a fear provoking experience (Hart, 2010). Art therapy help people to identify their feelings, and resolve the issues associated with their illness. Although, my lack of knowledge on this therapeu...
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
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.
Anticipated results and limitations As mentioned above, this eight-week module of group art therapy plan is designed for children at risk population to increase their self-esteem, to develop communication skills, and to develop a positive sense of self and others. Since the population are young children, they might not be able to understand the concept of art therapy and how the process works. Therefore, enjoyableness is considered as the priority in order to engage clients in the art process; this also help clients’ healthy socialization. The art directives introduced in the plan focused on positive aspects, rather than addressing their problems, thereby encouraging them to be aware of their strengths.
Art had always been a big part of my life, so I feel that art is more than just an academic subject as it is a way of life that gives people an outlet to express themselves. Art allows us to express ourselves when words fall short while also giving us the ability to share a story without a single word being said. For centuries, people from all over the world have used art to communicate their thoughts, feelings, and actions throughout their lives, creating stories for others to observe, interpret, and make meaning of. Art not only encompasses expression, it also includes creative thinking, higher order thinking, and problem solving. Art stresses the importance of developing creative problem solving skills to express and learn about ourselves and the people around us.
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.
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Brooke, S.L. (2004). Tools of the trade: A therapist's guide to art therapy assessments (2nd ed., Rev.). Springfield, Illinois: Charles C. Thomas.
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