A Little Bit About Art Therapy

5 Aug

A Brief History of Art Therapy

The term, art therapy in a therapeutic sense was first used by British artist, Adrian Hill. At the time, Adrian Hill was being treated in a sanatorium for tuberculosis. He found therapeutic benefits from painting and drawing and would often suggest art projects to fellow patients. Edward Adamson further worked with Adrain Hill to introduce art therapy to long-term British patients in mental hospitals. In addition to that, Margaret Naumberg, a U.S. psychologist then became one of the first pioneers of art therapy and viewed art therapy to release the unconscious by encouraging free association. Margaret Naumberg found that through art therapy patients were able to relate whatever came to mind without censorship, which in turn further allowed patients to learn more about what they think and feel through their artwork. Art therapy has now grown to incorporate other forms of art other than drawing and painting, such as dance, music, and drama, and is used in some hospitals, mental health facilities, and community groups to promote emotional and mental development, and growth.

Art therapy is largely influenced by the disciplines of art and psychology and uses creative processes to help people in treatment to develop self-awareness, explore emotions, address unresolved emotional conflicts, improve social skills, and raise self-esteem. Participants do not need previous artistic experience or natural artistic ability to experience the benefits of art therapy. Art therapy can be a deeply rewarding experience for those with various diagnoses, emotional states, cognitive abilities, and those at various stages of recovery. It is very satisfying for art therapists to make meaningful connections with their clients through art expression, and equally satisfying to help their clients make meaningful connections with themselves as they become more self-aware of who they are, their thoughts and feelings, and the whole artistic process of therapy.

Art therapy has been shown to benefit people of all ages with research indicating that it can improve communication and concentration and can help reduce feelings of isolation, as well as lead to increases in self-esteem, confidence, and self-awareness. Because art therapy allows people to express feelings on any subject through creative work rather than with speech, it is particularly helpful for those who feel out of touch with their emotions or feelings. Individuals having trouble discussing or remembering painful experiences may also find art therapy especially beneficial. Positive results in art therapy may often be achieved by facing issues such as: anxiety, depression, substance dependency, stress, PTSD, ADHD, grief, eating disorders, family or relationship issues…. And the list goes on.

In recent years, researchers have explored the benefits of art therapy for treating a variety of physical health difficulties. Some of their findings show art therapy:

Helped reduce pain, decrease symptoms of stress and improve quality of life in adult cancer patients.
Improved ability to deal with pain and other frightening symptoms in children with cancer.
Reduced stress and anxiety in children with asthma.
Stimulated mental function in older adults with dementia.
Indicated a reduction in depression in Parkinson's patients.

Art therapy integrates mental health and human services by using active art making, creative processes, applied psychological theory, and human experience, all into one. The main goals of art therapy are to improve a person’s well-being and improve or bring back a person’s functioning. During art therapy, the participant is taking part in a process of self-discovery that gives them a safe space to express their feelings and allows them to feel more in control over their life.

The process provides a pathway for participants to participate verbally or non-verbally by providing them the experiences of creating, touching, smelling, listening, hearing, looking, and shaping art materials, which in turn encourages sensory, perceptual, and cognitive development.

My Art therapy sessions are tailored to fit a participant interests and strengths, to achieve their individual goals. During art therapy, the participant is taking part in a process of self-discovery that gives them a safe space to express their feelings and allows them to feel more in control over their lives.

Studies have shown that an hour of creative activity can reduce your stress and have a positive effect on your mental health, regardless of artistic experience or talent.

Participants who are experiencing behavioural or social issues, learning impairments, communication impairments, anxiety, abuse (including psychological & emotional abuse), attention deficits, depression, stress relief, grief, and so much more, can benefit from expressing themselves creatively.

Reported benefits include: