Over the last few years, more and more ways of treating various psychological disorders have come into play, inspired by creativity and backed by science. From private drug and alcohol rehab centres to cancer treatment therapy sessions, the idea that creative expression can aid healing and wellbeing is bigger than ever before.
Art therapy is certainly proving that at present, with it formally coming into play in the 1940s but really becoming part of mainstream therapy in more recent years.
But what is it and exactly how does it work?
What is art therapy?
Art therapy is a type of therapy that is used to help people explore their emotions as well as a number of other areas of their psyche, including helping to develop self-awareness, cope with stress and even work on social skills.
The type of art used within therapy can vary, and it will often depend on the patient themselves and what best suits their needs. However, techniques used in art therapy can include:
- Photography
- Drawing
- Sculpting
- Collage work
- Painting
And much, much more. The aim of that is then to analyse what was created by the person, and what it means and how it makes them feel. From the art created, therapists can then find common themes and piece together the puzzle as to why a person is feeling a certain way.
For example, it might find that a common theme is family, and perhaps a person’s family is one of the reasons behind a patient’s pathway to addiction. It’s then about creating a platform to manage and maintain those emotions in order to move into recovery.
What can Art Therapy Help With?
Art therapy can help with a huge range of issues someone may have. We have mentioned addiction, but it can also be useful for cancer, eating disorders, family or relationship problems and age-related issues to name but a few.
The benefits of art therapy are great, with it first and foremost being a fantastic stress buster. Studies have shown that within an hour of creative activity, stress levels can reduce and have a beneficial impact on mental health.
Alongside this, however, is the ability for people to release their emotional trauma through expressing themself creatively, rather than through speech which they may be finding difficult. It will allow a therapist to get a clear understanding and help them on a pathway to recovery without them having to bare all in a group therapy session, or even a one-to-one, which they may not be ready for yet.
And it’s proven to be effective too, scientifically proving to reduce trauma and build self-esteem, helping put people on a positive journey, as well as even finding a new hobby they never knew they’d love.
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