Art Therapy: An Alternative to Traditional Treatment
By Madison Glende
Throughout most of my time in high school, my issues with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD, depression, and high stress levels) continually grew worse. Each day was a busy nightmare filled with college class after college class. During my junior and senior years, though, I made sure to make time for an art class in my schedule—I’d always loved creating art, but somewhere within my busy life I lost touch with it. Those studio art classes were my safe haven during the average school day, where I would spend a bit over an hour sketching concept art, or kneading and forming clay into sculptures. For the most part, I focused on bringing my feelings and thoughts to life through my hands. Little did I know, I was actually partaking in my own, self-administered form of art therapy.
The practice of art therapy refers to the use of creative expression for promoting healing and mental well-being. Although this field of psychology is relatively new, at least in a professional sense, creative expression has long been observed by psychologists. For years now, doctors have noticed that people struggling with mental illnesses are often drawn to art, and will create in order to express themselves and what they are feeling (Cherry, K., 2018). It is important to note that patients aren’t expected to be modern-day Picassos. Rather, they are encouraged to use art forms such as drawing, painting, or sculpting, among many others, to sort out their thoughts or feelings in a new way.
How Does Art Therapy Work?
Contrary to popular belief, art therapy is much more than adult coloring books. While adult coloring books can be a great way for individuals to relax and destress, art therapy more closely resembles actual therapy (DiConsiglio, J., 2016). Generally, the first session with an art therapist will only be spent talking, which will allow the art therapist to get a feel for why the patient is seeking their support, and how they can support them in the best way possible. Additionally, this first session is often used to work with a patient to develop a plan for creating a piece (or multiple pieces) of artwork. During all other sessions afterward, an art therapist will teach their patient different techniques for different art forms, or observe their patient as they work. An art therapist will also generally ask a variety of questions, such as “how do you feel about the artistic process, what was easy or difficult about creating your artwork, and what thoughts or memories you may have had while you were working” (“Art Therapy”).
Who Is Art Therapy For?
Much like other traditional forms of therapy, art therapy can be used by any individual looking to improve their mental health, or even simply to maintain a positive mental health. Aside from this, though, art therapy has been used as a treatment to help individuals with a variety of different mental health issues, such as learning disabilities, severe stress, mental illnesses (such as depression and anxiety), brain injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma, among many other things (Cherry, K., 2018). Additionally, art therapy can be given in a variety of different formats; therapists can work one-on-one with patients, or they can even work with couples and groups during a given session.
Overall, this budding field in psychology shows a lot of promise. By allowing individuals to explore their mental health through creating something, we may just provide a more approachable form of therapy in the process. I know for me, personally, I was always (and still am) intimidated by traditional forms of therapy and I’ve still avoided going to this day. If therapy were more like an art class, though, I think I would’ve gone a long time ago. Since it can be just as effective and may help individuals that have tried traditional treatments to no avail, I believe it is vital to explore and develop this treatment method further.
References
American Art Therapy Association (2017). About Art Therapy. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
Art Therapy (n.d.). Retrieved April 10, 2019.
Cherry, K. (2018, November 3). How Art Therapy Is Used to Help People Heal. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
DiConsiglio, J. (2016, February 10). Color Me Cautious: Don’t Mistake Adult Coloring Books for Art Therapy. Columbian College of Arts & Sciences.