Art therapy

An art therapist watches over a person with mental illness during an art therapy workshop in Senegal.

Art therapy is a distinct discipline that incorporates creative methods of expression through visual art media. Art therapy, as a creative arts therapy profession, originated in the fields of art and psychotherapy and may vary in definition. Art therapy encourages creative expression through painting, drawing, or modelling. It may work by providing a person with a safe space to express their feelings and allow them to feel more in control over their life.[1]

There are three main ways that art therapy is employed. The first one is called analytic art therapy. Analytic art therapy is based on the theories that come from analytical psychology, and in more cases, psychoanalysis.[2] Analytic art therapy focuses on the client, the therapist, and the ideas that are transferred between both of them through art.[2] Another way that art therapy is utilized is art psychotherapy. This approach focuses more on the psychotherapists and their analyses of their clients' artwork verbally.[2] The last way art therapy is looked at is through the lens of art as therapy. Some art therapists practicing art as therapy believe that analyzing the client's artwork verbally is not essential, therefore they stress the creation process of the art instead.[2] In all approaches to art therapy, the art therapist's client utilizes paint, paper and pen, clay, sand, fabric, or other media to understand and express their emotions.[2]

Art therapy can be used to help people improve cognitive and sensory motor function, self-esteem, self-awareness, and emotional resilience.[3] It may also aide in resolving conflicts and reduce distress.

Current art therapy includes a vast number of other approaches such as person-centered, cognitive, behavior, Gestalt, narrative, Adlerian, and family. The tenets of art therapy involve humanism, creativity, reconciling emotional conflicts, fostering self-awareness, and personal growth.[4]

  1. ^ Dresden, Danielle (29 September 2020). "What is art therapy? A guide for professionals and clients". Medical News Today.
  2. ^ a b c d e Hogan, Susan (2001). Healing Arts: The History of Art Therapy. United Kingdom: Jessica Kingsley Publishers London and Philadelphia. pp. 21, 22. ISBN 1-85302-799-5.
  3. ^ "About Art Therapy". American Art Therapy Association. Retrieved 2020-04-12.
  4. ^ Wadeson, H., Durkin, J., & Perach, D. (1989). Advances in art therapy. New York: John Wiley & Sons.