The Connective Power of Art Therapy
By: Eiman Mir
Humans have used artistic expression as a means of communication for centuries. From the primitive cave paintings of our hunter-gatherer ancestors to the expressionist movement led by Munch and Monet, art has become a critical aspect of how humans connect. Not only can art convey meaningful messages, but it can allow one to articulate suppressed emotions as a form of therapy. It is the expressive nature of art that allows for its therapeutic uses and has brought forth the practice of art therapy. Art therapy is a viable alternative to traditional therapy formats and can foster psychological healing and growth.
Arts Expressive Nature
Art is more than just imitation. Not only can it mimic the external world, but it can also reflect the artist’s internal state. The job of an art therapist includes the ability to understand the meaning of these visual cues in art by breaking down every aspect. Within a piece of art, shapes, colors, and textures all combine to reveal emotions and experiences. For instance, rigid lines can indicate feelings of anxiety, warm colors can reveal emotions of happiness, and colors like black and gray can indicate feelings of grief or depression. It is important to note that these are all generalizations and certified art therapists with years of experience can devise more precise meanings based on their clients’ circumstances. Not to mention, the interpretations provided by the art therapist are rarely black and white, as they account for any assumptions and try to clarify details with their client. Additionally, the client can also provide additional details that can help their art therapist better understand their clients artwork.
History
Although art therapy is often preconceived as a new practice, many of its principles are rooted in the ideas of famous modern psychologists. Most notably, art therapy can be connected back to the works of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung during the early 20th century.
In fact, it was recorded that Jung often made his clients draw out their dreams to assess their psychological meanings. He wrote, “To paint what we see before us is a different art from painting what we see within ‘’ (Jung). Here, Jung distinguishes between art as a form of impression versus art as a form of expression. Freud tackled this subject as well by connecting his theories about the unconscious mind and artistic expression by psychoanalyzing artists through their works.
In addition to art in psychological practices, many famous fine artists such as Picasso, Van Gogh, and Munch used art to convey emotion. Together, psychological theories and fine art practice eventually brought forth the practice of art therapy. The term art therapy was first used by Adrian Keith Graham Hill, a British Artist, Author, and Art Therapist. Hill devised the term in 1942 and published his book Art Versus Illness in 1945. His book is one of the earliest works in the field and deeply elaborated on how art-based activities can assist in various types of treatment.
With time, art therapy gained attention from scientists and psychologists and eventually led to the formation of the British Art Therapy Association in 1964 and the American Art Therapy Association in 1969. Today, art therapy is a profession that continues to grow and attract more people.
What is Art Therapy?
Art therapy is defined by the British Association of Art Therapists as, “a form of psychotherapy that uses art media as its primary mode of expression and communication”. Art therapy uses the creative and expressive nature of art to analyze the client’s state of mind. Art therapy is meant for individuals of all ages to better understand their emotions, become more self-aware, reduce anxiety, and more. In clinical practice, patients can use a variety of mediums including drawing, painting, sculpting, and more since the main focus is simply understanding the client’s inner thoughts and feelings. The practitioner does this by examining any symbols, metaphors, or undertones to understand the client’s thoughts and feelings. Possible symbols include storms, animals, and any other objects associated with specific events or experiences. Importantly, through art therapy, clients can convey strong emotions through their artwork allowing for meaningful conversation that would have been harder to initiate verbally.
Currently, the demand for mental health treatment is increasing. According to a report by the American Psychology Association, “Nearly 8 in 10 psychologists (79%) said that they had seen an increase in the number of patients with anxiety disorders since the beginning of the pandemic, and 66% saw an increase in demand for treatment for depression”. With this growing demand, it is important for there to be more individualized treatment options to ensure effective and widespread treatment. As an alternative therapy method, art therapy might attract clients who previously would not have been comfortable seeking help using traditional therapy methods such as talk therapy (APA). Furthermore, art therapy is becoming an increasingly popular career in both research-based and clinical-based sectors. The career is especially rewarding as it is based on helping individuals improve themselves through an alternative method of therapy.
Benefits of Art Therapy
Art therapy is useful for its ability to turn art into a medium of communication. Art therapy opens the mind and helps individuals seek ways to problem solve without resorting to harmful substances. In the long run, art therapy can also improve one’s ability to cope with emotions in a healthy way. Currently, art therapy aids in the treatment of a range of mental illnesses and conditions in various age groups. The latest research has proved art therapy to be effective in patients dealing with Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Autism, Depression, and Anxiety. Art therapy has also been found to improve the psychological conditions of individuals experiencing physical illnesses. In fact, A 2018 review finds that art therapy can reduce anxiety and depression in women with breast cancer.
The benefits of art therapy will only continue to surprise us. With the ability to go beyond conversation, art therapy allows patients to express themselves without using words. Although art therapy might sound unfamiliar, it is ultimately a practice originating from ancient human civilizations and modern psychologists alike. With the knowledge we have today, art therapy can be used to effectively heal communities around the world.
References
Art Therapy Credentials Board, Inc. Credential Conversations,
Asli Arslanbek, “Indigenous and Traditional Visual Artistic Practices: Implications for Art Therapy Clinical Practice and Research.” Frontiers in Psychology, 16 June 2020,
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Bethune, Sophia. “Increased need for mental health care strains capacity.” American Psychological Association, 15 November 2022, https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2022/11/mental-health-care-strains .
Hu et al, J. (2021, August 12). Art Therapy: A Complementary Treatment for Mental Disorders. Frontiers in Psychology.
https://doi.org/10.3389%2Ffpsyg.2021.686005
Jung, Carl. Practice of Psychotherapy. 1954.
Tang et al, Y. (2018, 11 13). Art therapy for anxiety, depression, and fatigue in females with breast cancer: A systematic review. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology.
https://doi.org/10.1080/07347332.2018.1506855
Potash, J. S. (2018, September 14). Special Issue on Medical Art Therapy. Journal of American Art Therapy Association.
