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Art therapy is often used in treating children who have been through some sort of trauma. But we are now understanding that art therapy is equally effective in treating adults with addictions. What Is Art Therapy? Art therapy was developed in the 1940s and has been used ever since for treating a variety of mental […]
Art therapy is often used in treating children who have been through some sort of trauma. But we are now understanding that art therapy is equally effective in treating adults with addictions.
Art therapy was developed in the 1940s and has been used ever since for treating a variety of mental health conditions. Creating art helps people of all ages bring unconscious feelings to the surface and work through interpersonal conflicts.
You do NOT have to be “good” at art to find art therapy useful. Art therapy doesn’t focus on the artistic outcome, rather on an awareness of personal change through the process of creative expression.
Art therapy is generally used as an adjunct or complementary therapy alongside individual cognitive behavioral therapy (CBD) or group therapy. Whether it’s painting, sketching, collaging or any other art form, the goals are the same:
The powerful thing about art therapy is, when you look at those bullet points, each may seem like a hard or, to some, impossible goal to attain. But you are so engaged with the process of creation, you don’t even notice the bullet points are happening all on their own.
If you are in addiction recovery, you may find it difficult to verbally and emotionally express yourself. And that can be incredibly challenging because addiction treatment usually causes complex emotions to arise within us.
And this is why so many people quit therapy and end up abusing drugs or alcohol not long after – because they can’t quite handle processing these emotions.
But art therapy can be a fun and powerful outlet for you to experience your emotions and manage your feelings in a safe and healthy way.
If you are currently receiving treatment for addiction and would like to explore art therapy, please reach out to me. I’ve seen it help countless people on their road to recovery, and I believe it can help you, too.
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At some point in most of our lives, there will come a time when we experience a mental health crisis. It may come after a divorce, the loss of a loved one, or another traumatic event. Many traditional types of therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT, can be very effective at helping people […]
At some point in most of our lives, there will come a time when we experience a mental health crisis. It may come after a divorce, the loss of a loved one, or another traumatic event.
Many traditional types of therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT, can be very effective at helping people overcome their depression, anxiety, and other symptoms. That is, if they are comfortable using verbal communication to share their pain.
Many people are not comfortable enough with their communication skills or their own emotions to be able to benefit from traditional talk therapies. This is especially true with young children. In these cases, art therapy can be very worthwhile.
Art therapy uses creative outlets such as painting, collage, and drawing to help people express themselves in a way they feel comfortable. The art they create can then be used by the therapist to better understand their behaviors and emotional health. Just as our dreams use symbolism to “tell” us about ourselves, art does the same.
Art therapy is a great option for small children, adolescents, and adults who have a difficult time understanding their own emotions or speaking about them. Art therapy has been successfully used to improve self-esteem, relieve stress and anxiety, manage addictions, and improve symptoms of depression.
If you are interested in exploring art therapy, please get in touch with me. I would be more than happy to answer any questions you have and see if art therapy may be a good fit for you.
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