MORE THAN PRETTY PICTURES

Even if you don’t consider yourself an artist, we all know the satisfaction of doodling in the back of our notebooks or crafting projects in our free time, but there is actually a whole science behind why making different forms of art can actually serve as an aid in personal growth or healing. Art can be an escape from reality.

Art therapy is defined by The American Art Therapy Association (AATA) as, “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.” Today you will find this form of therapy practiced in hospitals, psychiatric and rehabilitation facilities, wellness centers, schools, and senior communities. Patients use art therapy to aid a variety of issues some being anxiety, depression, loss of memory, and pain.

The practice of art therapy does not require the aid of a professionally trained creative therapist, although many find it helpful. You can just as easily take it upon yourself to explore the healing qualities art making possesses. Art holds a power that allows individuals of all ages to transform the mind and discover hidden emotions with just pen and paper or paint and canvas.

Often a misunderstood field, the idea and science behind art therapy continues to evolve. In the 1970s, it was still a new profession with innovative thinkers developing clinical approaches based mainly on intuition, the field grew from analyzing experience and clinical work. It is now considered a fully developed profession with the ability to obtain a license as an art therapist.

When it comes to art therapy if you are willing to explore yourself through process you never know what you will uncover. Be open to the experience and give art a chance.