Art Therapy

Discovery and Healing Through Art

Art therapy is a form of therapy where the key is personal expression through the use of art materials.   It combines traditional psychotherapeutic techniques with the creative process and its psychological impact on humans.  Different art materials can spark a creative avenue in a client that the art therapist can obtain with no other theory or method.

Art therapy became a distinct profession in the 1940’s and was prompted by the artwork created by patients in mental hospitals.  Doctors saw intriguing images and insights come from patients who were otherwise incommunicative.  At this same time, educators discovered that drawings/art was an indicator of mental, emotional and cognitive growth of children.

Art therapy is not art for the sake of art…it is much more.  No client in art therapy need be a great artist.  In fact, most adults who are in art therapy would not consider themselves artists.  However, it is through art that emotions and occurrences that are hidden or stifled might come to light.

According to the American Art Therapy Association, art therapy is based on the belief that the creative process of art is both healing and life-enhancing.  Art therapists use the creative process and the issues that come up during art therapy to help their clients increase insight and judgment as well as cope better with stress.  Traumatic experiences and memory issues are two of the most important concerns between art therapists and their clients.  Much can be learned through the creative process in terms of life affirming pleasures and how the process enhances them.

The purpose of art therapy is much the same as any therapy: to improve the emotional well-being of a client through drawing, painting, sculpture, photography or any other form of visual art expression.  Non-verbal symbols and metaphors are communicated within the creative process, and underlying thoughts and feelings are expressed through drawing and painting, etc.

Art therapy takes place in the same private environment as traditional therapy sessions.  These sessions can be very quiet or very energy charged, but the end result is help through senses other than excessive speech.   Even though it may seem unproductive to some, many people are better served by art therapy than through traditional means.  Children who have experienced traumatic or exceedingly frightening events are but one example.

The horror of Hurricane Katrina has been documented with a recent exhibit of art by children at the New Orleans Museum of Art:  Katrina Through the Eyes of Children: Art by Displaced Children at Renaissance Village. The exhibition was comprised of 50 works - 32 drawings, 11 photographs and 5 three-dimensional pieces – that dramatized the impact of a monumental act of nature on humans, especially children.  View examples of this exhibit online at www.katrinaexhibit.org. The images you see will amaze you and let you share the visions of many youngsters.

Other examples of art therapy include different disciplines besides painting and drawing:  clay work and sculpture of any type, writing/poetry, weaving, embroidery and other stitchery, and even gardening—"Gardening is the art that uses flowers and plants as paint, and the soil and sky as canvas."—Elizabeth Murray.  Creativity of any type can be soothing and relaxing and can temporarily transport you to another level of concentration.  

If you have the desire to try new art experiences or to learn a new way to clear your mind and concentrate, use simple sketching or painting, writing or stitchery to enhance your life.  When you do, you experience the real meaning and benefits of art as therapy, even if it is just to relax or take a breather.

Copyright ARTtalk Vol. 18 No. 3 — January 2008