Art Therapy Essay - 2790 Words

What Is Art Therapy? Most forms of therapy are centered on verbal communication. Art therapy, however, breaks that mold and introduces a more creative means of both communicating ideas and learning to grow. The American Art Therapy Association defines art therapy as: Art therapy is a mental health profession in which clients, facilitated by the art therapist, use art media, the creative process, and the resulting artwork to explore their feelings, reconcile emotional conflicts, foster self-awareness, manage behavior and addictions, develop social skills, improve reality orientation, reduce anxiety, and increase self-esteem. A goal in art therapy is to improve or restore a client’s functioning and his or her sense of personal well-being.†¦show more content†¦However, art therapy is typically the most in psychiatric wards, either individually or in groups. It is currently emerging is family art therapy, and used a lot in the education system, focusing on children who are learning disabled, mentally challenged, emotionally disturbed, socially disadvantaged. According to the AATA, art therapy is practiced in mental health, rehabilitation, medical, educational, forensic, wellness, private practice and community settings. Within these s ettings, art therapy can be applied to an extremely diverse client population in individual, couples, family, and group therapy formats. Art therapy is an effective treatment for people experiencing developmental, medical, educational, and social or psychological impairment. Other individuals who benefit from art therapy include those who have survived trauma resulting from combat, abuse, and natural disaster, along with individuals who have adverse physical health conditions such as cancer, traumatic brain injury, and other health disability, and finally individuals with autism, dementia, depression, and other disorders. Art therapy helps people resolve conflicts, improve interpersonal skills, manage maladaptive behaviors, reduce negative stress, and achieve personal insight. (AATA, 2013) No matter how it is used, all good art therapy leads to both education and growth. It can be beneficialShow MoreRelatedArt Therapy As An Industry2159 Words   |  9 PagesArt Therapy Art therapy as an industry is surrounded by many questions. Questions that are led by a lack of conclusive evidence. Art Therapy has multiple techniques and options, though many are left undiscovered due to such controversy surrounding the industry. Art Therapy can help lead to countless diagnoses, anything from Alzheimer’s to depression; and can be used in marriage counselling or physical ailments. With so many uses, why is this form of therapy still looked down upon by such a vastRead MoreAdlerian Art Therapy Dissertation849 Words   |  3 Pagesthe expression that art is a projection of the soul. Art gives us the way to not only express ourselves, but as well as tell a story that our conscious mind cannot. From some, they believe art is simply a hobby, or perhaps something that only hangs in museums; however, many others, and I as well, believe that art has the â€Å"powers† to be something more than what the subject has previously been defined as. While art is qui te has been stereotyped in such way as â€Å"decorations or [art] hang[ing] in a museumRead MoreArt Therapy And The Creative Process1708 Words   |  7 Pages What is art therapy and does it really work? When one thinks of a therapist and an artist you think of two vastly different people. With therapy being a scientific, analytical study and art a very free and creative one, but when the two are combined they create a strong outlet for a lot of youth. Physical and mental health are very serious matters and are both subjects that children may find hard to talk about. Traditional therapy in some cases can have good outcomes, but for children itRead MoreArt Therapy And Graphic Design1617 Words   |  7 Pagesa future career, both art therapy and graphic design are appealing and possible options for me, but which is the better? Art therapy is just what it sounds like, art combined with therapy. When stated like this it sounds easy and simple, however it is a quite complex and intricate occupation; like a professor trying to solve a complex equation, where the professor is the art therapist and he or she is trying to solve the problem the student is having. Specifically, an art therapist’s goal is toRead More Creative Art Therapy: Essay1037 Words   |  5 PagesCreative Art Therapy: Creative art therapy is a technique that implements theory of three major schools of thought: PSYCHODYNAMIC HUMANISTIC BEHAVIORISM „Y Uses: Therapists use this implementation of theory and introduce this technique to the client at the appropriate time to facilitate creativity, personal growth, and therapeutic change. PSYCHDYNAMIC Creative art therapy can be used as a medium to capture hidden impulses, and emotions. This technique also helps to explore unconsciousRead MoreMode Of Design : Art Therapy967 Words   |  4 PagesMode of Design Although art therapy is a new practice in psychotherapy, art has always been a form of communication since the beginning of the human history. Evidence is found from the finding 40,000 years ago during the Aurignacian period, on a cave painting found in EL Castillo Cave, Cantabria Spain. Since then, art had become an instrument for self-expression and symbolism. However, it was not until the 1940’s that the therapeutic use of art was then define and develop into a distinct disciplineRead MoreEssay about Art Therapy498 Words   |  2 PagesIf there was one thing about kindergarten and grade school that we enjoyed the most would probably be arts and crafts time. We got a break from the mind-boggling math problems, but we also could have time to draw pictures of whatever we wanted to take home to our parents. You know the routine....teacher places a blank sheet of paper in front of you, decorates the table with tons of crayons and markers, and lets us go at it for a good twenty minutes or so until we have a finished product, right? ButRead More Art Therapy Essay1292 Words   |  6 Pages â€Å"Art therapy is a form of therapy in making of visual images (paintings, drawings, models etc.) in the presences of a qualified art therapist contributes towards externalization of thoughts and feelings which may otherwise remain unexpressed†(Walter Gilory, 1992). My vision of Art Therapy was very vague. I always thought art therapy was a form of therapy for distressed or abused children trying to tell a story through pictures or drawings. The American Art Therapy Association defines art therapyRead MoreInformative Speech About Art Therapy809 Words   |  4 Pagesso far. CENTRAL IDEA: Art Therapy is not a common career choice when looking at popular jobs in the workforce; however, it is both a very interesting psychological and artistic career. PURPOSE STATEMENT: I want to bring awareness to this interesting career and hopefully inform more people about its potential outcomes. SIGNIFICANCE: Information on this career can help broaden people’s perspectives and help them to look at the results of both healing through art and art in general. CREDIBILITY:Read More Art Therapy Essay646 Words   |  3 PagesArt Therapy How does Art Therapy help in maintaining a persons health or helping them get well from a sickness?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Before finding the answer to this question it is necessary to understand the background, history, and importance of what Art Therapy is. First of all Art Therapy is a form of psychotherapy. In psychotherapy there is an exploration of feelings and concerns in nonverbal and verbal exercises that use simple visual art materials. Art therapy focuses on the creative process for