Source: bellamonterecovery_how-art-therapy-can-help-with-depression
Art has always been recognized as one of the most powerful tools required for communication as well as emotional release. It has recently emerged as a sort of therapy for people who are suffering from mental health issues. People who use this sort of therapy are able to control their stress, anxiety, and other mental challenges which trouble them.
Art therapy is able to provide relief with the help of non-verbal communication and hence, has gained the approval of both clinical and non-clinical settings. It has become a very useful way of addressing emotional and mental health issues by helping individuals express their emotions.
What is Art Therapy?
Art Therapy refers to the use of artistic methods for encouraging emotional expression and providing a safe space for the people who opt into this. This therapy was able to make people feel physical and emotionally better and they become more receptive to other forms of therapy as well. It is provided by licensed professionals who conduct regular sessions for people of all ages. It can include painting, drawing, and sculpting which are all great skills to develop.
Art Therapy has become more prominent since researchers have pointed out the fact that people with mental illness often try to express their feelings by drawing. When they are already using it for expression, why not make it help in therapy?
The Healing Power of Creating Art
With the advent of mental health issues, it has become important for health officials to come up with new and better methods for combating these problems. Traditional therapeutic methods are very efficient, but the new ones we come up with can be more inclusive and effective. Such is the method of Art Therapy which is equally effective for people of all ages and conditions. This has been emerging as one of the most promising approaches to foster emotional well-being. People can explore it at their personal pace and don’t have to relive any painful memories to get treated.
Research shows us that Art Therapy has reduced symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression, and has helped victims of domestic violence as well as natural disasters.
Art Therapy in Practice
In practice, Art Therapy is taught by licensed professionals and is integrated into schools, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers. Since, it is being put in every other community and healthcare organization, it becomes easy to access and caters to diverse populations, which includes people with physical as well as mental problems.
Children benefit from this because many-a-times, they are not able to put their emotions into the right words and hence, lack an effective way of communicating their feelings. Using Art Therapy, they are able to use non-verbal communication to communicate and cope with their emotional stress and illness.
Adults also benefit from these programs just as much, as they are also not able to express some feelings properly to their therapists. They regain their sense of control and self-esteem in the process and give form to their progress and healing.
Impact
The impact of this therapy isn’t to be taken lightly. It can lead to greater self-awareness, improved sense of control, and better well-being. It greatly empowers these people to identify patterns in their thoughts and behaviour. As they find more patterns and perspectives for their life, they are able to find breakthroughs that can become great coping mechanisms.
A lot of scientific research backs these claims and has found that visual arts therapy can greatly reduce the cortisol levels in the victims, improve their overall health, and give rise to more positive emotions. The sense of accomplishment that comes with the completion of one’s own art is always extremely gratifying and increases their self-worth.
Resources
What is Art Therapy?
- https://www.facebook.com/verywell. (2023). How Art Therapy Works. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-art-therapy-2795755
- ‌ Dresden, D. (2020, September 29). What is art therapy, and how does it work? Medicalnewstoday.com; Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/art-therapy
- About Art Therapy. (2024, February 7). American Art Therapy Association. https://arttherapy.org/about-art-therapy/
The Healing Power of Creating Art
- Shukla, A., Choudhari, S. G., Gaidhane, A. M., & Zahiruddin Quazi Syed. (2022). Role of Art Therapy in the Promotion of Mental Health: A Critical Review. Cureus. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.28026
- ‌ The Healing Power of Art | Magazine | MoMA. (2021). The Museum of Modern Art; MoMA. https://www.moma.org/magazine/articles/629
Art Therapy in Practice
- Hu, J., Zhang, J., Hu, L., Yu, H., & Xu, J. (2021). Art Therapy: A Complementary Treatment for Mental Disorders. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.686005
Impact
- José, H., Joao Apostolo, Luciano Magalhães Vitorino, & Manuel, L. (2023). Editorial: The impact of art therapy on mental health and well-being. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1275915
