A Palette of Sunshine: Exploring the Uplifting and Transformative Aspects of Art Therapy
- edwinmoisesluis
- May 20, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 29, 2023
The significance and advantages of Art Therapy
The Purpose of Art Therapy
The American Art Therapy Association plays a crucial role in enhancing cognitive and sensorimotor functions, nurturing self-esteem and self-awareness, fostering emotional resilience, promoting insight, enhancing social skills, reducing conflicts and distress, and driving societal and ecological changes. Through art therapy, individuals are empowered to develop personally by expressing emotions and thoughts that may be challenging to convey verbally. By engaging in the creative process and reflecting on their artwork, individuals gain insights about themselves, facilitating personal growth and self-understanding.
Numerous experts have extensively observed and documented significant benefits derived from art therapy. These advantages encompass improved mood, reduced depression symptoms, and an enhanced overall quality of life. Engaging in art therapy or creating art independently can also serve as a valuable form of distraction, effectively diverting attention from pain and anxiety. Art has the potential to impact brain wave patterns and trigger the release of certain substances in the brain, according to many art therapists. It enables the expression of hidden emotions, reduces stress, fear, and anxiety, and offers a sense of liberation.
Art therapy is particularly advantageous for individuals with communication difficulties. Unlike traditional talking therapies, the art-making process allows for non-verbal and sensory expression of experiences, feelings, thoughts, ideas, fears, hopes, and dreams in a creative manner. By actively participating in art therapy sessions, individuals improve problem-solving skills and foster transformative change.
It has been suggested that art can contribute to increased self-esteem by providing opportunities to acquire and master new abilities. Engaging in art, whether or not one pursues a career as an artist, is inspirational. It nurtures inventive talents and cultivates awareness of work planning and execution. Furthermore, it fosters a sense of self-sufficiency and deep satisfaction as individuals utilize their artistic abilities and mental capacity to create meaningful outcomes that they value and wish to share with others.
Above all, the primary objective of art therapy is not to create aesthetically pleasing artwork. Rather, it is to enable individuals to express themselves and their stories through imagery, movement, or other creative expressions. With the guidance of an art therapist, this process may unlock and articulate memories or emotions that aid in processing trauma, anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions when words fail to easily flow.
Art Therapy Techniques
Art therapy can involve a variety of creative expression:
Visual art therapy
Dance therapy
Drama therapy
Expressive therapy
Music therapy
Writing therapy
Research and Evidence-Based Practice in Art Therapy
In 2010, a study conducted by researchers at National Jewish Health in Denver investigated the impact of seven weekly art therapy sessions on children with asthma. While asthma is primarily a physical condition, the psychological stress associated with it can also affect children's mental well-being. Through a randomized controlled study involving 22 children, it was found that those who received art therapy exhibited greater improvements in anxiety levels and quality of life, even six months after the treatment.
The research conducted by Brady et al. (2017) demonstrated the positive effects of art therapy, revealing an association between art therapy and improvements in quality of life and individual support. Moreover, they discovered that art therapy was particularly beneficial for individuals who experienced difficulty in verbalizing their emotions and thoughts (Brady et al., 2017). Klorer and Robb (2012) further confirmed the positive impact of art therapy, noting improvements in verbal communication, impulse control, peer interaction, attention span, and self-esteem.
Art therapy has been bolstered by a substantial and expanding body of evidence. A recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO) examined over 3,000 creative-based interventions, revealing strong evidence for the positive influence of the arts on physical and mental well-being. Additionally, the Institute for Safety, Compensation, and Recovery Research published a report highlighting the effectiveness of art therapy in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety associated with psychological trauma.
These findings collectively demonstrate the growing recognition of art therapy as an effective therapeutic approach, supported by empirical evidence.
Conclusion
Art therapy holds a profound significance in its ability to foster healing, personal growth, and self-discovery. By engaging in various artistic mediums and techniques, individuals can effectively express their emotions, cultivate self-awareness, and find solace in the transformative nature of the creative process. The advantages of art therapy are vast and encompass emotional release, enhanced communication skills, stress reduction, and improved problem-solving abilities.
As ongoing research endeavors continue to illuminate the effectiveness of art therapy and its integration into comprehensive treatment approaches, it becomes imperative for practitioners, researchers, and the wider community to acknowledge the inherent value of art therapy and advocate for its continual development and accessibility.
Art therapy stands as a powerful modality that harnesses the potential of art and creativity for transformative purposes. Its primary objective is to facilitate healing, personal growth, and self-expression, thereby empowering individuals to lead more enriching lives. Let us embrace the boundless potential of art therapy, opening doors to new possibilities and augmenting the well-being of individuals and communities alike.
Sources:
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-art-therapy-2795755
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6338841/#:~:text=A%20randomized%20controlled%20study%20of,even%206%20months%20after%20treatment.
https://scholistico.com/art-therapy-personal-development-self-discovery/#:~:text=Art%20therapy%20promotes%20personal%20development,personal%20growth%20and%20self%2Dunderstanding.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0197455618301321#:~:text=Researchers%20found%20that%20art%20therapy,et%20al.%2C%202017).
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