Art therapy is a form of therapy that combines art and the creative process with psychotherapy. This form of therapy allows both the child and the adult to express themselves and see their needs and limitations in a safe form. Name them, and when ready, point in the direction of the expected changes. This form of therapy uses a variety of artistic mediums to facilitate the expression of one’s emotions and restore disturbed harmony at the level of emotions, mind and body. These are helpful activities using art, music, literature or drama to release emotions and help de-stress.
Art therapy is helpful for:
– stress
– Depression, anxiety, neurosis,
– sleep disorders
– eating disorders
– problems with expressing emotions
– problems in family relationships
– bereavement
– chronic diseases
– oncological diseases
– a sense of loss of meaning in life
– lack of harmony in life
Art therapy shapes sensitivity and the ability to express emotions. Supports social networking skills. It allows free artistic expression, which, in the premise of art therapy, gives vent to inner problems, allowing them to be named, analyzed and, consequently, tamed. Therapy through art is a recognized form of psychological assistance, supporting the process of treatment, rehabilitation, finding application in revalidation. The working techniques used in art therapy serve both those who reveal difficulties in the implementation of life tasks, and those who want to improve the quality of their lives in relations with others, develop creative abilities, develop their own personality. Self-expression helps solve problems, helps reduce stress, boost self-esteem and develop interpersonal skills.
A key role in art therapy is played by the therapeutic relationship, which differs from the relationship in traditional forms of psychotherapy because it occurs between the patient, the person involved (client/patient) and the work. This form of therapy can be particularly useful for people who have difficulty expressing their thoughts and feelings verbally. Also as a result of traumas and experiences of various kinds that they are not yet ready to talk about. Also for all those who think that their experiences are hard to name, describe with words, and want to express their emotions.
The main benefit for those undergoing art therapy is the release of accumulated emotions, reduction of tension levels, aggressive behavior, self-acceptance, the possibility of better understanding of the motives of one’s own behavior. Art therapy allows non-verbal communication, satisfying needs for safety, being understood and appreciated.
Importantly, the art therapy participant is not required to have special skills or artistic talent. What is important is the creative process itself, expression, as well as reading the work together, deciphering the meanings contained in it. This gives the person undergoing art therapy a chance to better understand himself, to learn the nature of his problems and difficulties, and this can lead to a change in self-perception. This is the basic difference between art therapy and “ordinary” art or music classes. Here the emphasis is on the strictly therapeutic context of the activities.
The goal of Art Therapy is:
*Remove physical and mental tensions.
*Motivation for action and change.
*Reduction of anxiety and depression.
*Strengthening self-esteem.
*Improving acceptance of self and others.
*Learning to cope with problems and adverse influences of the environment.
*The ability to express feelings through creative activities.
*Expression through symbolism
*Improving communication.
*Developing awareness of one’s own emotions, expression, one’s own IAM.
*Relaxation
*Improving concentration on the task at hand.
*Learning to spend leisure time in a creative way.
*Development of creative thinking and imagination.
Application:
It is used, among other things, in helping children, adolescents, adults and late adulthood, social groups and families, in the treatment of: anxiety, depression, other affective disorders, neurosis, addiction, problems in family relationships, in cases of sexual abuse and domestic violence, in social and emotional difficulties associated with disability and illness, in traumas and experiences of loss, with physical, cognitive and neurological problems, and psychosocial difficulties associated with somatic diseases (e.g. cancer diseases). It is also increasingly used in social prevention, including work with people at risk of social exclusion.
Scope and methods:
*Expression of emotion through art – psycho-drawing.
*Working with Mandala ; shape – color – emotion, micromotor.
*Working with Mask; Portrait – Self-Portrait.
*Relaxation
*Bibliotherapy
*Creative drawing and painting.
*Working with Photography.
*Creative visualizations
*Music therapy as a factor that reduces aggression and improves interpersonal relations.
*Drama
Author: dr. art, dipl. art therapist Patrycja Styrna
