Art Therapy is a therapeutic modality that uses the art making process with applied clinical psychology and counseling techniques. A specialized therapy, the art therapy approach to healing emphasizes the process of communicating issues, emotions and conflicts both verbally and non-verbally. The client’s art represents communication on a symbolic level and the art images and pieces themselves become significant in enhancing verbal exchange between the client and the therapist. With therapeutic guidance and support, art can facilitate new understandings and insights, resolve conflicts, solve problems and formulate new perceptions that in turn lead to positive changes, growth and healing.
Who are Art Therapists?
Art Therapists are master’s-level professionals who hold a degree in art therapy. Educational requirements include: theories of art therapy, counseling, and psychotherapy, assessment and treatment planning, individual, group, and family therapy techniques, ethics and standards of practice, developmental and interpersonal psychology, cultural issues, research methods and practicum experiences in clinical, community, and other settings. Art therapists are skilled in the application of a variety of art modalities (drawing, painting, sculpture and other media) for assessment and treatment. Art therapists are trained to work with people of all ages and challenges in a variety of settings including hospitals, rehabilitation, psychiatric facilities, medical, residential, educational, assisted living facilities, as well as in private practice.
Art media and forms of expression used in art therapy include:
- Painting (acrylic, tempera, watercolor).
- Sculpting (clay, plaster, mask making and other modeling materials).
- Collage using images collected from photographs, magazines and other sources.
- Drawing and sketching with crayon, pencil crayon, markers, pastels and charcoal.
- Poetry and prose.
- Writing and journaling.
- Colors, abstract designs, images and symbols.
- Graphs and charts.
- Dialogues and letters.
What are the benefits of art therapy?
- Encourages the expression of feelings and thoughts.
- Explores new media of expression through color, images and symbols.
- Offers insight into making more conscious choices and decisions.
- Helps to deal with creative blocks and challenging patterns.
- Assists in enriching the relationship with oneself and with others.
- Provides a clear understanding of life experiences.
- Offers insight into personal potential and strengths.
- Allows space to develop a deeper sense of meaning and life purpose.
What specific issues can art therapy help with?
- Anxiety
- Social issues
- Relationships
- Trauma
- Addictions
- Loss and grief
- Depression
- Challenging behaviour
- Personal crisis
- Transitions/changes
- Autism and spectrum issues
- Developmental disabilities
- Mental health issues
The four Professional associations are:
British Association of Art Therapists – www.baat.org
Association of Professional Music Therapists – www.apmt.org
British Association of Dramatherapists – www.badth.org.uk
The Association for Dance Movement Psychotherapy UK – www.admt.org.uk
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