Art therapy entails the use of artistic materials to treat psychological disorders or to enhance mental health. It is a method of treatment employed by psychologists to help their patients communicate their emotions, to explore various personality traits, and to manage stress. The concept is grounded in the understanding that the creative process can be useful for conflict resolution, the development of interpersonal skills, and to help improve self-esteem and self-awareness.

You may ask yourself, “How can painting or creating a piece of pottery help someone achieve better mental health?” That was the very question doctors wondered about in the mid-20th century, when they began to consider the potential uses for art in the emerging specialty of psychoanalysis. It was noticed then that some mental patients naturally gravitated toward art as a means of self-expression. In fact, the symbolic imagery embedded within the works of art – no matter how complex or simple – often provided a great deal of insight into the inner workings of some patients.

There are many situations that might call for art therapy to be used, including helping young children with learning disabilities develop new learning techniques; alleviating severe stress for adults; helping children or adolescents work through social or behavioral problems; helping brain injury victims rediscover the ability to coordinate their thoughts and physical actions; allowing elderly patients with Parkinson’s and other degenerative conditions to order their thoughts; helping people who have experienced a traumatic event, such as the loss of a loved one or severe abuse.

The way it usual works is, a therapist will provide a variety of materials for activities such as drawing, painting, sculpting, collage creation, and more. Often, the first few sessions will entail a non-guided exploratory period. Sometimes, the patient’s selection of the artistic medium will say a lot about his or her inner life. Plus, if a patient is given the freedom to choose what to paint/draw/sculpt, the therapist might gain insight about the patient’s impulses and interests. Eventually, the therapist might move into a period of directed creation, with the goal of illustrating or bringing to artistic life a particular element of the patient’s psyche. Even if no significant breakthrough insight occurs during the course of art therapy, the mere fact that a patient is able to focus on the creative process – rather than dwelling on his or her inner demons – can sometimes help settle the mind. Regardless of what the directions are from the therapist or what medium is used, the emphasis will almost always be on images, emotions, and concepts that come from “inside” a patient, rather than external stimuli.

In order to find a licensed art therapist in your area, you can check the American Art Therapy Association website or consult the Art Therapy Credentials Board. The minimum requirements for a licensed art therapist, according to the Art Therapy Credentials Board, is a master’s degree in art therapy or a master’s degree in counseling with additional coursework in art therapy.

Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to patient education.

Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to patient education. http://www.spineseminar.com/

Author Bio: Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to patient education.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: Patient education, art therapy. mental health