ART THERAPY
Art therapy is a form of expressive therapy that utilises art-making processes and creative activities to support individuals’ emotional, psychological, and overall well-being. This form of therapy typically involves trained art therapists who facilitate the therapeutic process and provide appropriate support. Art therapy can enhance people’s well-being in a variety of ways. While not a substitute for other forms of mental health treatment, it can be used together with different therapeutic approaches and interventions to support an individual’s overall mental health journey.
Below are some ways in which art therapy may address emotional, psychological, and mental health issues:
▪ Emotional expression and release: Art therapy provides a non-verbal and symbolic outlet for individuals to express and process their emotions. Creating art can serve as a cathartic experience, allowing individuals to explore and release pent-up emotions, stress, or trauma. This emotional expression can promote a sense of relief, clarity, and emotional well-being.
▪ Self-exploration and insight: Art-making within a therapeutic context encourages self-reflection and self-exploration. Individuals can gain insights into their thoughts, feelings, and experiences through the creative process. Art therapy can help individuals uncover underlying emotions, patterns, and conflicts, leading to increased self-awareness and personal growth.
▪ Stress reduction and relaxation: Creating art can be a meditative and calming experience. The focused attention required in art-making diverts attention from stressors and promotes relaxation. Engaging in art therapy techniques, such as colouring, painting, or sculpting, can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps reduce stress levels and promotes a sense of well-being.
▪ Enhanced communication and self-expression: Art therapy offers an alternative form of communication, particularly for individuals who struggle to express themselves verbally. Artistic mediums provide a visual language that can bridge gaps in verbal expression, allowing individuals to communicate their thoughts, feelings, and experiences and thus improve interpersonal relationships, self-advocacy, and overall well-being.
▪ Empowerment and resilience: Art therapy can empower individuals by giving them a sense of control, agency, and mastery over their creative process. It fosters a safe and supportive environment where individuals can take risks, make choices, and experiment with different materials and techniques. Engaging in the creative process and witnessing personal growth can enhance feelings of competence, confidence, and resilience.
▪ Integration and meaning-making: Through art therapy, individuals can integrate and make meaning of their experiences, traumas, or challenges. Creating art allows for externalising and exploring inner conflicts and narratives, helping individuals understand their emotions and experiences. This meaning-making process contributes to a sense of coherence, purpose, and well-being. (SH, SJ)
Art therapy versus art interventions
Next to art therapy, art interventions have received increased recognition for their positive impact on well-being. Art therapy and art interventions are related but distinct approaches that use art and creative expression for health and well-being purposes. Art therapy is formal psychotherapy that uses art-making to address mental health issues and promote self-awareness. On the other hand, arts interventions encompass a broader range of activities and programs that use art and creative expression in various settings for different purposes. While art interventions may have therapeutic benefits, their primary focus is not on providing formal psychotherapy. Arts interventions are found in educational, community, healthcare, or recreational contexts and may serve goals such as skill-building, community engagement, cognitive stimulation, social inclusion, or cultural enrichment.
Art therapists are licensed mental health professionals with specialised psychology and art therapy training. In contrast, individuals with various backgrounds can facilitate art interventions, including artists, educators, community workers, or volunteers. Both art therapy and art interventions prioritise ethics but differ in terms of confidentiality and relationship boundaries. (SH, SJ)
See also: Art interventions