Visual Art is often used as a form of therapy. It’s a form of expressive therapy that uses the process of creating art to help with the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of a person. The creative process of expressing oneself through art can help resolve unsaid, deep rooted issues and help develop and manage one’s feelings, reduce stress and boost self-esteem. Art therapy is sometimes called creative arts therapy or expressive arts therapy and encourages people to express as well as understand their emotions through the creative yet cathartic process of artistic expression.
Art therapy is used for a multitude of purposes like counseling, healing, rehabilitation, psychotherapy, and in the broad sense, it can be used to provide an individual with a deeper understanding of themself. One doesn’t need to be an artist to receive art therapy and for it to succeed. The idea is to dive into the underlying messages communicated through one’s art. The therapeutic process is not about the artistic value of what one creates, but rather about finding associations between the creative choices made in the artwork.
Art therapists are professionals who are trained in both art as well as clinical therapy. They are knowledgeable about human development, psychological theories, clinical practice along with the healing potential of art which helps them develop healing techniques for their patients. They use art in their treatment as well as assessment and research. Art therapists work with people of all ages and provide sessions and services to individuals, couples, families, groups and communities. Under the guidance of the trained professionals one can decode the nonverbal messages that are often found in the art, which leads to a better understanding of their patients’ feelings and behavior.
One of the major differences between art therapy and other forms of communication and healing is that most of the other forms elicit the use of language as a means of communication. Often times, humans are incapable of expressing themselves through words, they can’t find the right words to explain the turmoil they might be going through. The artwork created in art therapy can be used to rehash memories and tell stories that may reveal messages and beliefs from the unconscious mind without actually talking about them. Children, adolescents and adults can explore their emotions, improve self-esteem, manage addictions, relieve stress, deal with anxiety and depression through art therapy.
Expressive art therapy is a breakthrough field that has proven to work wonders in many people’s lives. It helps people express themselves, explore their emotions, manage addictions, and improve their self-esteem. It can help children with developmental disabilities. There are so many uses and benefits of arts therapy, that help with a holistic improvement. Even if one doesn’t need serious help, art is a great way to release stress after a long day. Art therapy is a growing field that is being more widely accepted today and helping many all over the world.
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