What is Art Therapy?

Art is a way for someone to express oneself. Art can be a tool to speak in one’s own language that says something about the artist or to the artists audience. For some who find that words cannot describe how one feels, art may be the only way to do so.

For some art is a form of therapy. A way of healing.
A way to discover oneself, and experience personal growth. Art therapy is available to anyone and everyone of all ages.

Let’s first learn about what art therapy is…

Art therapy could happen with a therapist, but could also happen on your own, even with one your hobbies. Something as simple as drawing or doing photography can play a part in someone’s therapy. It can help a large range of different types of people like: children, adults, the elderly, people with disabilities and people with emotional disorders. You do not need to be an artist to do art therapy. The focus is about creating personal growth within a new experience with self discovery.

Something special about art therapy is that it works from first hand experience. This is a type of therapy where you create things with your own hands. You are the creator. You decide what to make, the direction of your work, and how much time you spend on it.

Art therapy is the combo of art and psychology. It’s combining visual arts, creative process, human development, behavior, personality and mental health. You get to explore your feelings, perception and imagination. You get to solve your own conflicts, create new perspectives, and perhaps create positive change, growth and personal healing.

While art therapy works from first hand experience, it is also a visual experience. You are taking your feelings, imagination and thoughts and putting it down onto paper, into film, through a paint brush. You put your perception of the world into a creative experience for just you, or whoever you choose to share with. For some creating visual art is a unique way to express yourself without words. Visual thinking is sometimes easier with children because of their smaller vocabulary. Creating art as a child is a much more natural way of communication. Even for someone older, creating art is a more tangible experience, making it easier to explain to one another.

Another positive of art therapy is the emotional release one can achieve. The whole process lessen stress and anxiety on oneself. For most it can change your mood. “While family, work and friends may fulfill your life, creating creative experiences might help us reach parts of ourselves that other interactions cannot.” For some creating art is an experience that doesn’t resonate the same as it might for someone else. It’s different for each person. For some art making might be the only way to escape the feelings of depression, fear, anxiety and stress in our daily lives. It can give someone great enjoyment and stable oneself.

Intuition plays a part in art therapy as well. Making art has no boundaries. It is entirely up to the maker to decide what is right or wrong. Sometimes it’s also not even about the end result of a project, but more of the experience of how you got there. Everyone’s art therapy experience is different. The main thing is to create projects for yourself that you enjoy doing, while creating a positive environment for growth and self evaluation.

“The creative process involved in the making of art is healing and life enhancing.”