GIVE ART A CHANCE

The wide range of therapies available to us today creates a daunting task for individuals seeking help. Art therapy being a less traditional therapy is often overlooked, but studies have proven the effect of art making on the brain is tremendously beneficial.

Traditional therapies tend to be those where everyday forms of communication are used such as a client seeking aid using verbal communication in discussing their ills with a trained therapist. However, these therapies involve a certain level of comfort — with your self and the issues you struggle with. They also require you to be comfortable relinquishing your emotions with others. Art therapy can be an excellent alternative when you crave a more personalized, self-help approach to healing.

According to The Art Therapy Blog, art therapy exists as, “The creative process involved in expressing one’s self artistically which in turn resolves issues as well as allowing you to develop and manage behaviors and feelings, reduce stress, and improve self-esteem and awareness.” In contrast to standard verbal communication type therapies, art becomes the language for expression. Often individuals find that they can only verbally communicate surface level emotions and conflicts, but the act of art making allows the brain to delve deeper into the subconscious mind. The brain has less concern with how to verbally relay emotions correctly to another personal but it is solely focused on the act of making. As described by Psych Central, this form of therapy is, “rooted in the intersection between psychotherapeutic interventions and art as expression.”