How Art Therapy Is Used to Help People Heal

How Art Therapy Is Used to Help People Heal Psychotherapy Print How Art Therapy Is Used to Help People Heal By Kendra Cherry facebook twitter Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author, educational consultant, and speaker focused on helping students learn about psychology. Learn about our editorial policy Kendra Cherry Updated on August 28, 2019 Blend Images - KidStock / Brand X Pictures / Getty Images More in Psychotherapy Online Therapy In This Article Table of Contents Expand History Uses How It Works How to Become an Art Therapist View All Back To Top In psychology, the use of artistic methods to treat psychological disorders and enhance mental health is known as art therapy. Art therapy is a therapeutic technique rooted in the idea that creative expression can foster healing and mental well-being.?? Art, either the process of creating it or viewing others artworks, is used to help people explore their emotions, develop self-awareness, cope with stress, boost self-esteem, and work on social skills. It may surprise you to learn that art can be an effective tool in mental health treatment. What could art possibly have to do with psychotherapy? As an expressive medium, art can be used to help clients communicate, overcome stress, and explore different aspects of their own personalities. What Is It? Art therapy integrates psychotherapeutic techniques with the creative process to improve mental health and well-being. The American Art Therapy Association characterizes art therapy as an approach to mental health that utilizes the process of creating art to improve mental, physical, and emotional wellness.?? The goal of art therapy is to utilize the creative process to help people explore self-expression and, in doing so, find new ways to gain personal insight and develop new coping skills. Techniques used in art therapy can include drawing, painting, coloring, sculpting, or collage. As clients create art, they may analyze what they have made and how it makes them feel. Through exploring their art, people can look for themes and conflicts that may be affecting their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. People do not need to have artistic ability or special talent to participate in art therapy, and people of all ages including children, teens, and adults can benefit from it. Some research suggests that just the presence of art can play a part in boosting mental health.?? A 2017 study found that art displayed in hospital settings contributed to an environment where patients felt safe. It also played a role in improving socialization and maintaining an identity outside of the hospital.   History People have been relying on the arts to communicate, express themselves, and heal for thousands of years, yet art therapy didnt start to become a formal program until the 1940s. Doctors noted that individuals suffering from mental illness often expressed themselves in drawings and other artworks, which led many to explore the use of art as a healing strategy.?? Since then, art has become an important part of the therapeutic field and is used in some assessment and treatment techniques. Uses Art therapy can be used to treat a wide range of mental disorders and psychological distress. In many cases, it might be used in conjunction with other psychotherapy techniques such as group therapy or cognitive-behavioral therapy. Some situations in which art therapy might be utilized include: Children with learning disabilitiesAdults experiencing severe stress??Children suffering from behavioral or social problems at school or at homePeople experiencing mental health problems??Individuals suffering from a brain injuryChildren or adults who have experienced a traumatic event?? Some conditions that art therapy may be used to treat include: AnxietyDepressionCancer??Medical conditionsAging-related issues??PTSDEmotional difficultiesEating disorders??Substance useFamily or relationship problems??Psychosocial issuesStressPsychological symptoms associated with other medical issues One review of the effectiveness of art therapy found that this technique helped cancer patients undergoing medical treatment improve their quality of life and alleviated a variety of psychological symptoms. How It Works An art therapist may use a variety of art methods including drawing, painting, sculpture, and collage with clients ranging from young children to the elderly.?? Clients who have experienced emotional trauma, physical violence, domestic abuse, anxiety, depression, and other psychological issues can benefit from expressing themselves creatively. Inpatient offices, private mental health offices, schools, and community organizations are all possible settings where art therapy services may be available. Some specific setting where art therapy might take place include: Hospitals??Wellness centerCorrectional facilities??Community centersPrivate therapy officesSenior centers??Art studiosWomens shelters??Homeless sheltersElementary schools and high schoolsColleges and universitiesResidential treatment centersGroup homes People often wonder how an art therapy session differs from the average art class. Where an art class is focused on teaching technique or creating a specific finished product, art therapy is more about letting clients focus on their inner experience.?? In creating art, people are able to focus on their own perceptions, imagination, and feelings. Clients are encouraged to create art that expresses their inner world more than making something that is an expression of the outer world. Limitations While research suggests that art therapy may be beneficial, some of the findings on its effectiveness are mixed.?? Studies are often small and inconclusive, so further research is needed to explore how and when art therapy may be most beneficial.   How to Become an Art Therapist Are you interested in a career in art therapy? While laws vary from state to state, in most cases you may need to first become a licensed clinical psychologist, professional counselor, or social worker in order to offer psychotherapy services. Start by checking with your state to learn more about the education, training, and professional credentials you will need to practice art therapy. In the United States, the Art Therapy Credentials Board, Inc. (ATCB) offers credentialing programs that allow art therapists to become registered, board-certified, or licensed art therapists, depending upon the state in which they live and work.?? Requirements According to the American Art Therapy Association, the minimum requirements:A masters degree in art therapy, orA masters degree in counseling or a related field with additional coursework in art therapyAdditional post-graduate supervised experience is also required. You can learn more about the training and educational requirements to become an art therapist on the AATA website. Art therapists fall under the umbrella term of recreational therapists, which also includes mental health professionals who utilize performance, sports, and other recreational activities to facilitate mental wellness. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average yearly salary for recreational therapists was $50,640 in 2018.??