Art Therapy

Art therapy combines creativity and psychotherapy to help patients explore and process their feelings and experiences, as well as treat psychological disorders. It is effective for any demographic: people of all ages; individuals, couples, families; various settings including counseling agencies, schools, hospitals, treatment centers, and more. Though art is widely considered therapeutic, art therapy specifically refers to the formal use of art to improve psychological health.

(image: art therapy uses creativity to improve mental and psychological health)

Due to the healing properties of creating art, art therapy can greatly improve one’s mental health. Being able to express oneself through art can help resolve emotional issues, reduce stress, and help develop/manage behaviors and feelings. Art therapy exercises can include drawing or painting one’s emotions, creating an emotion wheel, creating a meditative painting, and designing a postcard.

(image: a common exercise in art therapy is painting how you feel)

Art therapists are professionals trained in both therapy and art who treat patients, using creativity to improve their psychological wellbeing. There are also many other types of creative therapy, such as music therapy, dance therapy, and writing therapy.

(image: creative therapy comes in many different forms—it is not just limited to art)

Sources

• https://intuitivecreativity.typepad.com/expressiveartinspirations/100-art-therapy-exercises.html

• https://arttherapy.org/about-art-therapy/

• http://www.arttherapyblog.com/what-is-art-therapy/#.Y0DkN1LMKJE

• https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-art-therapy-2795755