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Exploring the Role of Art in Therapy

 

The role of art in therapy is provides a safe space for patients to express and untangle themselves from their inner turmoil, as well as learning new skills and techniques.

 

Therapists often use art as a tool to help their patients convey their thoughts and emotions. The role of art in therapy is to allow the patient to explore their emotions, understand their distress, and find resolution and closure. Therapists also use art to help patients enhance their mental health.

 

The Art of the Inner Journey: Symbol as Healing Agent, a Margaret Carpenter Arnett art therapy book, provides an approach to healing and spiritual development. The book provides a process of art therapy for individual and groups, allowing an individual express their inner thoughts and emotions. It also features the works of eleven women and two men whose arts provide a great impact in their lives.

 

Let’s learn more about the role of art in therapy!

 

Art and Healing

 

Art therapy is mostly used for patients with psychological challenges. It is tool that allows a patient creatively express through art, promoting healing and enhancement of the mental well-being. It became a formal program in the 1940s, making it a healing strategy for those experiencing trauma or psychological distresses. The role of art therapy is to provide a medium for the subjects to convey their hidden emotions and deep thoughts.

 

Art and Meditation

 

Margaret Carpenter Arnett’s The Art of the Inner Journey explores art and meditation for the healing journey. The book comes with a CD with guided imagery for people in therapy sessions. The subjects can use art and meditation together to process their deep cognitions and emotions through a creative technique.

 

Art in Creative Therapies

 

The role of art in therapy is to let a subject express what they feel and what they think. Some therapists offer different creative ways to allow their subjects to properly express.

 

• Dance
• Drama
• Music
• Painting
• Writing

 

Some forms of creative therapy are offered to clients with specific conditions. For example, a person with anorexia or bulimia should not undergo dance therapy as the problem lies in the mental well-being of the client. A professional treatment from a therapist or psychiatrist is needed to help the patient.

 

What Art Treats in Therapy

 

Therapies help people find resolution to the issues they experience in life. The role of art in therapy is to open up an avenue for the subjects to share a part of their lives, helping them release the baggage that bother them physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

 

Art therapy is used to treat the following:

 

• Aging-related issues
• Anxiety
• Cancer
• Depression
• Eating disorders
• Emotional difficulties
• Family or relationship issues
• Medical conditions
• Psychological symptoms
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Psychosocial issues
• Stress
• Substance use disorder

 

Art Therapy is for Adults and Children

 

Therapists use art therapy to help their clients share their expressions in a creative way. This tool is both for adults and children. The role of art therapy is to encourage a positive space to express and understand the nature of the clients’ issues.

 

Being Artistic is Not a Requirement

 

Being artistic is not a requirement in art therapy. Even if you do not really paint or draw, you can still have art therapy to help you cope with issues.

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In Margaret Carpenter Arnett’s The Art of the Inner Journey, talent in art is not a requirement. In fact, the author suggests the patient use the non-dominant hand when doing art to help the right brain connect with the hand and to allow one to connect with feelings and the inner critic. With this, the subject will shake away the anxiety about the skill to sketch. Check out The Art of the Inner Journey by Margaret Carpenter Arnett to learn more.

 

Art Therapy is Not an Art Class

 

One might think that doing art in therapy is just like attending an art class. Well, there is a big difference between the two.

 

In an art class, one focuses on and explores the techniques of creating a perfect image for a specific product. The role of art in therapy, however, is to help the client focus on the inner experience, allowing an understanding of oneself to heal. An art class takes place in a specific type of classroom or studio where it is conducive for a student to learn and concentrate, while art therapy is flexible when it comes to setting as long as the client feels safe and comfortable.

 

Art Therapy is Not for Everyone

 

While art therapy allows one to explore the depths of the inner self for healing and meditation, it is not for everyone. Some conditions, such as schizophrenia, do not seem to be affected by this approach.

 

Seek a Professional

 

If you are experiencing issues that affect your functionality, mental state, and well-being, don’t hesitate to call a professional for help. Connect with your therapist today and start your healing journey.