Caring Minds^2:
Teenage mental health Support
Art Therapy
In the past few decades, art therapy has become more developed. Besides traditional psychotherapies, art therapy is one of the most widely used therapies. Art therapy is a unique and transformative form of psychotherapy that utilizes the creative process and the visual arts to address mental health challenges and promote personal growth. It is a proven and effective modality that can help individuals of all backgrounds and abilities overcome emotional challenges and achieve personal growth. By promoting self-awareness, communication, and stress reduction, art therapy can contribute to a stronger and more resilient sense of self. Various techniques are employed in art therapy, such as collage, painting, drawing, and so on. Music therapy, dancing therapy and expressive writing can also be classified as art therapy, but in this part we are merely focusing on fine arts and visual arts.
Brief History & Definition
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Although art therapy's acknowledgment as a professional treatment is relatively recent, its roots can be traced back to the 18th century, when art was employed as a part of the "moral treatment" for psychiatric patients. The term "art therapy" was coined by English artist Adian Hill in 1942 during his recovery from tuberculosis. Almost concurrently, Margaret Naumberg and Edith Kramer, now considered pioneers of art therapy in the United States, began exploring this field. Several years later, in 1964, the British Association of Art Therapists was established, followed by the American Art Therapy Association five years afterward.
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The IEATA defines expressive arts as visual arts, movement, drama, music, writing, and other creative processes to foster profound personal growth and community development. Expressive art therapy is a treatment that employs expressive arts to facilitate human growth, development, healing and achieve positive changes.
TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES
Common techniques art therapists could employ includes Collage, Coloring, Drawing, Photography, Sculpting and more. Most of them require the guidance and companionship of a professional therapist.
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Collage: Collage is one of the most widely used methods. This art type does not require any artistic foundation or knowledge and is helpful to visualize thoughts that the client cannot or is unwilling to express verbally or subconscious thoughts. Art therapists encourage clients to choose images that cause vast emotional shock to them, positive or negative. Therapists will carefully ensure clients are not putting too much thought into the selection process and make sure all the choices are made spontaneously. Every piece the clients chose is symbolic and has a specific meaning. Art therapists analyze them and the composition and combination of the entire artwork to find out the possible problem and explanation.
2. Sculpting: This is a unique technique because it allows clients to use three-dimensional forms to express their thoughts and feelings. When people are sculpturing, the tactile sense is involved. The touches and movements facilitate clients to express their unconscious feelings or thoughts they cannot express directly. Moreover, tactile senses can arouse subconscious memories or feelings. Thus, clients will release more information in their artwork. In addition, making a sculpture is a process of producing something from none, which can significantly increase the sense of self-satisfaction and self-achievement. Furthermore, it can encourage clients, especially younger clients, to accept their positive and negative identities while becoming themselves. Similarly, sculpting is not harmful, does not require verbal expression, and all parts of the artwork are lenses for looking into clients' minds.
3. Photography: Therapeutic photography includes taking, analyzing, and using photographs. Research conducted by Lancaster University in 2018 demonstrated that taking one picture every day can improve mental well-being, increase the ability to appreciate the good things in life and enhance self-awareness. Anybody on their own could do therapeutic photography. It can be defined as conscious daily behavior. Another approach, phototherapy, is different. A professional therapist is necessary, and clients will look at photos of their lives and families. Therapists analyze the memories and emotions these pictures evoke.
EFFECTIVENESS
Numerous observations and investigations indicate that art therapy can alleviate diseases such as cancer, as well as psychiatric disorders including bipolar disorder, persistent depression, autism, and trauma therapy. This therapeutic approach is a potent means to enhance self-awareness and cognitive functions, nurture self-esteem, mitigate stress and anxiety, alleviate distress, and improve communication by helping clients to express their emotions and experiences in a non-verbal manner. Art therapy has been implemented in some hospitals by displaying landscape artwork in patient rooms to promote healing and recovery. Furthermore, this modality yields remarkable outcomes, particularly for elderly patients.
