What is Art Therapy?
As defined by the American Art Therapy Association:
Art therapy is an integrative mental health profession that combines knowledge and understanding of human development and psychological theories and techniques with visual arts and the creative process to provide a unique approach for helping clients improve psychological health, cognitive abilities, and sensory-motor functions. Art therapists use art media, and often the verbal processing of produced imagery, to help people resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve insight.
Art therapy has the unique ability to unlock emotional expression by facilitating non-verbal communication. This is especially useful in cases where traditional psychotherapy has been ineffectual. Art and art making are inherently perceptually and sensory based and involve the brain and the body in ways that verbal language does not. Art therapy provides an alternative means of communicating for those who cannot find the words to express anxiety, pain or emotions as a result of trauma, combat, physical abuse, loss of brain function, depression, and other debilitating health conditions.
Although use of visual imagery is the foundational tenet of art therapy, art therapists uniquely draw from multiple theoretical approaches in their understanding, design, and implementation of treatment. Art therapists understand the science of imagery and the therapeutic potentials of color, texture, and various art media and how these affect a wide range of potential clients and personalities. Rigorous clinical training in working with individuals, families, and groups prepare art therapists to make parallel assessments of clients’ general psychological disposition and how art as a process is likely to moderate conditions and corresponding behavior. Recognizing the ability of art and art-making to reveal thoughts and feelings, and knowledge and skill to safely manage the reactions they may evoke, are competencies that define art therapy as a profession.
Source: (http://arttherapy.org/aata-aboutus/)
Are Coloring Books the Same as Art Therapy?
Despite their apparent benefits, coloring books should not be confused with the creative process inherent in art-making that occurs in an art therapy session. Under the guidance of an art therapist, individuals may realize that certain images can tap into the internal experience of the artist in ways that evoke emotions or understanding. The trained art therapist might then guide individuals in focusing on those areas as a therapeutic intervention.
(Source: The coloring book phenomenon: The American Art Therapy Association Weighs In, http://3blmedia.com/News/Adult-Coloring-Book-Phenomenon)
Who Can Benefit From Art Therapy?
Art Therapy is an effective treatment for people experiencing developmental, medical, educational, and social or psychological impairment. Individuals who benefit from art therapy include those who have survived trauma resulting from combat, abuse, or natural disaster; persons with adverse physical health conditions such as cancer, traumatic brain injury, or other health disabilities; and person with autism, dementia, depression and other disorders.
Art Therapy helps people resolve conflicts, improve interpersonal skills, manage problematic behaviors, reduce negative stress, and achieve personal insight. Artistic skill or previous experience with art is not necessary. Art Therapy is beneficial for all ages including children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly. Art Therapy can be utilized with individuals, groups, families and communities.
Art therapy is an integrative mental health profession that combines knowledge and understanding of human development and psychological theories and techniques with visual arts and the creative process to provide a unique approach for helping clients improve psychological health, cognitive abilities, and sensory-motor functions. Art therapists use art media, and often the verbal processing of produced imagery, to help people resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve insight.
Art therapy has the unique ability to unlock emotional expression by facilitating non-verbal communication. This is especially useful in cases where traditional psychotherapy has been ineffectual. Art and art making are inherently perceptually and sensory based and involve the brain and the body in ways that verbal language does not. Art therapy provides an alternative means of communicating for those who cannot find the words to express anxiety, pain or emotions as a result of trauma, combat, physical abuse, loss of brain function, depression, and other debilitating health conditions.
Although use of visual imagery is the foundational tenet of art therapy, art therapists uniquely draw from multiple theoretical approaches in their understanding, design, and implementation of treatment. Art therapists understand the science of imagery and the therapeutic potentials of color, texture, and various art media and how these affect a wide range of potential clients and personalities. Rigorous clinical training in working with individuals, families, and groups prepare art therapists to make parallel assessments of clients’ general psychological disposition and how art as a process is likely to moderate conditions and corresponding behavior. Recognizing the ability of art and art-making to reveal thoughts and feelings, and knowledge and skill to safely manage the reactions they may evoke, are competencies that define art therapy as a profession.
Source: (http://arttherapy.org/aata-aboutus/)
Are Coloring Books the Same as Art Therapy?
Despite their apparent benefits, coloring books should not be confused with the creative process inherent in art-making that occurs in an art therapy session. Under the guidance of an art therapist, individuals may realize that certain images can tap into the internal experience of the artist in ways that evoke emotions or understanding. The trained art therapist might then guide individuals in focusing on those areas as a therapeutic intervention.
(Source: The coloring book phenomenon: The American Art Therapy Association Weighs In, http://3blmedia.com/News/Adult-Coloring-Book-Phenomenon)
Who Can Benefit From Art Therapy?
Art Therapy is an effective treatment for people experiencing developmental, medical, educational, and social or psychological impairment. Individuals who benefit from art therapy include those who have survived trauma resulting from combat, abuse, or natural disaster; persons with adverse physical health conditions such as cancer, traumatic brain injury, or other health disabilities; and person with autism, dementia, depression and other disorders.
Art Therapy helps people resolve conflicts, improve interpersonal skills, manage problematic behaviors, reduce negative stress, and achieve personal insight. Artistic skill or previous experience with art is not necessary. Art Therapy is beneficial for all ages including children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly. Art Therapy can be utilized with individuals, groups, families and communities.
