Art Therapy

Art therapy combines psychotherapy and the therapeutic value of creating art. The World Health Organization has acknowledged that art therapy improves mental and physical health. Art therapy promotes integration of both hemispheres of the brain (the left hemisphere is responsible for logic and language; the right hemisphere deals with creative and emotional processes), allowing for information to be processed in a different way than just talking allows. Art therapy also reaches the unconscious in a way that can’t be accessed through verbal therapy. Art therapy allows for non-verbal expression of emotions, thoughts, and experiences that can’t be put into words.

There are two overarching  approaches to art therapy:

• Art as Therapy: The process of making art alongside an art therapist has therapeutic benefits. It can be easier to talk about difficult topics while your hands are busy.

• Art Psychotherapy: Clients intentionally make art to explore from a perspective of the art being a representation of their inner experience. Art activities that specifically address what you are working on will sometimes be suggested, or clients can have their own ideas of how to express their inner experience creatively. The art therapist is trained to ask questions and explore insights with the client to help the client find deeper meaning in the art.

Art and play are the language of children; it’s how they express their emotions, thoughts, and experiences. Art therapy allows them to work through challenges and express themselves in their language that feels safer.

Creativity is how humans have always explored meaning and a form of communication- I believe people of all ages can benefit from connecting with their creative side. Adolescents and adults can engage in art therapy to work with challenging emotions, explore and express themselves in new ways, and discover a deeper understanding of themselves. Groups can be helpful in developing skills and experiencing a sense of belonging and shared experiences.