One of the most loved and universal ways of expression is art. Many say that art is therapeutic and soothing, but why do these people say this? Furthermore, why is art therapy beneficial to the brain? What is the reasoning behind art and its potential healing for those who use it as a way of coping with a mental illness? Art therapy is more than just drawing what one feels; it is a way to use a remedial activity as an aid in diagnosing. The creation of art is not found in just one part of the brain; it is produced from many different areas simultaneously. Some of the parts that play a role in the creative process include the motor system, the visual pathway, the affective processing system, the somatosensory pathway, and the cognitive symbolic …show more content…
There are many different approaches to art therapy, one being the placement of importance on symbolic images which are mainly focused on finding the origins of the individual’s unresolved conflicts. Since the creation of visual art engages sensorimotor actions and involves perceptual processes, the piece can be understood verbally and even nonverbally, creating a therapeutic effect “by changing the image or the expressive medium in external reality” (Lusebrink 89). Art therapy is a great way for people with these degenerative brain illnesses, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s, to engage with others through self-expression and validate these patients a sense of self in their current state. It is a way to involve visual expression of imagery and emotions in “different art media using kinesthetic action and sensory manipulation of the media” (Lusebrink 89), meaning that through the physical movements of creating art, this form of therapy has found highly effective methods for accessing and strengthening nonverbal affective functions, as Shore …show more content…
Simply put, both hemispheres are involved in the process of making art. The right hemisphere creates the spatial image of the art itself, while the left hemisphere depicts the symbolic concepts found in art. So, depending on where the legion is, certain points in the creative process will be affected differently than if another area was lesioned. Individuals who have Alzheimer's disease tend to follow a pattern with their artwork; it becomes more simplistic, much like their own mental decline, as time goes on. Not only is art therapy a way to help improve and retain skills that the elderly have, but also it can affect their quality of life, social and emotional growth, and rehabilitation of a physical problem. For example, an artist called Ms. B had apraxia, a motor disorder, and “atrophy that was more marked in the parietal lobes, particularly the right parietal lobe, which is fundamental to art making” (Safar 98). Her art therapists worked with her by giving her helpful tips or tricks to still create what she loved as her brain and artistic abilities degenerated. She would continually work on ways to help her vision in her periphery and arm movements. Because of the help and validation from her art therapists, she was able to become
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...
In the summer of 1956 he met Paul McCartney, and then they began writing songs together and the two of them eventually formed one of the most successful songwriting partnerships in the history of music (John Lennon Biography). In all, The Beatles made over 240 songs, and they recorded many singles and albums (Paul McCartney Biography). They formed groups, and the last of which was the Beatles. With John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, they became widely known as the greatest and most influential act of the era of rock (Hendersonville Lightning). The Beatles were formed in Liverpool, England in the year 1960 (John Lennon Biography). John Lennon played rhythm guitar and keyboard, and sang. From 1956 until 1962 they took pieces of popular American music to form into dance music (Grove, 321). John Lennon was also said to be the leader of the Beatles (Spangler).
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.
One of the disadvantages of art therapy is that the therapist is more vulnerable to misinterpretation in terms of the objective understanding of content. Care must be taken not to make rapid interpretations on the specific piece of art which might prevent or even deny the client the satisfaction of discovering and finding out for herself (Case and Dalley, p. 65). This is because art therapy involves a lot of interpretation, it is understandable that critics about this technique are similar to that of psychotherapy. The client’s images can come across as many things with contrasting ideas, but only the individual themself can explain it. The therapist is urged not to point out obvious red signals, instead they should allow the client to come up with their own interpretations. Their own interpretations alone are something to make note of as it may shed some light on the client's thought process about the
In the beginning, art was never seen as a therapeutic form of expression. Art is now looked at as a good was to relieve stress and express emotions. Rather, art had a more practica...
“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 project started out as a way to visually play. Having a personal desire to do things differently and take a risk was the catalyst of “Art Moves”. As well as a chance encounter with a large yet affordable roll of heavy stock paper from an art supply store.
Before the Beatles were the Beatles, they were just normal musicians. John Lennon the person in charge of the band in the 50’s called the Quarry Men met Paul McCartney on July 6, 1957, where both musicians are performing in Skiffle Groups. After hearing Paul play at the concert John’s manager asked Paul if he would like to join the Quarry Men, Paul accepted his offer. Many musicians tried out to join the Quarry Men, however none of them made it. On February 6, 1958 George Harrison tried out by playing Raunchy and John made him become the newest member of the group. The members of the Quarry Men are; “John, Paul and George, with the addition of Johns Friend from art college, Stu Sutcliffe and a guitarist named Pete Best” (The Beatles pg. 1). They went off to Germany to get a better chance to become known and famous. While they are in Germany, Stu Sutcliffe decides to go back to college to get back into art which he is in love with and be with Astrid which he met in Germany. The members remaining in the Quarry Men group renamed their group and now their group calling it Silver Beatles and returned to Liverpool. As the group thought their luck was terrible, a young record storeowner in the late 1961, with the name of Brian Epstein, noticed the Beatles with their great musicians skills, he thought they have something unique to them (History of The Beatles pg. 1). The Silver Beatles held a tough ima...
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.
processes of art expression in therapy, Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 21:3, 125-135
Pierson, M., & Wilson, H. (2009). Exploring Art as Therapy. In Using Expressive Arts to Work with Mind, Body, and Emotions: Theory and Practice (pp. 202-222). Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsly Publishers.
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.
What is Art therapy used for? It provides an outlet for coping for some people who may be suffering for any type of illness, in Stanford Medicine It was used with cancer patients; with this therapy the Art Therapist will provide and use pictures, art supplies and visual symbols to help create a better understanding of what the patient is feeling and help address their own concerns or conflicts (cancer.stanford.edu). Some of the examples of art therapy could be coloring, painting, doodling, photography, etc. Art therapy is a very pleasant and fun activity but is not to replace treatment and medicines it is only there for the stress reduction, help relieve anxieties and to help the patient express emotions which they could not before, then after the patient is done with their art and pictures; they will sit down with a licensed therapist and go over what they see and why they took pictures of or drew what they did. As for the time being, there are no complications linked with patients and art therapy, ...