In Art Therapy we use drawings or artwork to express thoughts, emotions and behaviour. Art Therapy can be very helpful when verbal language is difficult to express certain experiences, for example trauma. In an art therapy session the Therapist guides the client by asking questions and the client uses various art tools like crayons, colour, pencils, paint et cetera to express his or her feelings. In Art Therapy the artwork can be scribbles, blotches of paint, symbols, lines et cetera and in this way it distinguishes itself from other ways art is used.
In art therapy we are expressing through images which can have different meanings. This helps in processing our thoughts and gives new perspectives to narratives. Its unique because it helps us to be creative. it taps into our psychic space and works on our creativity. The importance is given to the processing of thoughts, emotions and behaviour rather than to the artwork. The self exploration gives insights into things that could have been very difficult to do verbally. It’s interesting because there is no judging the art work and gives the client freedom to express whatever they want to. The lines and shapes and scribbles can have many meanings to the explorer
What is Art Therapy?
Art Therapy combines psychotherapy and creative process. It Incorporates various psychological theories with art making.Art and creative process are used as a way to express thoughts and feelings
How does Art Therapy work?
Art Therapy enables us to express thoughts, feelings and perspectives that might be not be easily expressed through
How art therapy works with images?
During an art therapy session, the therapist gives directives to the clients and the clients work by observing the spontaneous images that come to their mind from memories and experiences. It is important in an art therapy session to observe these images and the artwork is based on the images that popped into our mind. Once the art work is done, it is encouraged by the therapist to have a dialogue with the image that is drawn asking the image questions and answering it can help the clients know what has happened and what they are seeking.
Art Therapy and spontaneity
In art therapy being spontaneous is encouraged. These spontaneous images, thoughts and emotions that spring to our mind could be repressed in our subconscious mind and visually expressing them is healing, which happens automatically. For many of us spontaneity might be very difficult due to the judgement in our society. But in due course working on being spontaneous, can help to reveal the authentic self and also improve our creativity. Spontaneous artwork can speak to us in many ways which could have been very difficult to express verbally. Spontaneous drawings can be very original and it would truly represent our thought process, emotions and experiences that are very individual to the person.
How art therapy works in the context of visual expression?
In art therapy we express our inner world to the outside by drawing and colours. This process can access deeply embedded images which are in the subconscious mind. The visual expression can give meaning in different perspectives. Self exploration through the artwork provides the client with various insights that otherwise could have been very difficult to express verbally since art making is also a creative medium, where there is innate joy in creating something which is tangible. It is a symbolic representation in visual form. Research in neuro science has proved the therapeutic value of art making. The spontaneous image creation helps to form new neural pathways.Art Therapy enables us to express thoughts, feelings and perspectives that might not be easily expressed through words.
How art therapy works in the context of bodily sensations?
Art Therapy activities aim to integrate the mind and body. Trauma is often trapped in the body and memories of traumatic events can dissociate us. Emotions are usually felt in the body in different areas with different sensations. For example, fear can be a fluttering or churning sensation in the stomach. Art Therapy activities such as body map, makes us aware of what emotions we feel and how we feel it in the body. This awareness over a period of time can help us regulate our emotions. By expressing difficult emotions in the body through art work can be very healing.
How art therapy works in the context of perception?
Perception is the understanding of the sensory input received by the brain. In an art therapy session, clients' perception of the art materials and the directives given by the facilitator are sensory inputs and the clients perception based on their learning, memory, and attention is the art work which can hold deep meaning. The sensory input of the past can be perceived in different perspectives at the present moment and can give the client an avenue to work on to suit the present life.
How art therapy works with trauma?
Research suggests that trauma affects the brain. Recent brain image scans show the decrease in Broca's area of the brain, which is the speech Centre and without the efficient functioning of the broca's area it would be difficult to put thoughts and emotions into words. Trauma can numb our brain function to such an extent that thinking and talking would be a challenge. Due to the effects of traumatic experiences on the brain, individuals with PTSD have low serotonin levels which makes it difficult to cope socially and the main stress hormone cortisol stays constantly in a state of threat. This affects physical health and so trauma has a physiological basis. So healing the trauma involves acknowledging the symptoms in the body and integrating the mind and body is vital in addressing trauma. Body oriented therapies such as art therapy activities involve the body and mind. Clients are directed to draw their pain, tightness, discomfort, et cetera and which part of the body carries the pain. Art Therapy materials also provide a way to integrate the body and mind by the sensations. Each material is different and it is important for the client to be made aware of these materials and the properties of each material, for instance, oil pastels are very sticky, dry pastels are powdery. The sight and smell of art supplies also is a stimulation.
How art therapy works with cognition?
Cognition is the mental process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience and senses. It encompasses all intellectual functions and processes such as perception, attention, thought, imagination, intelligence, the formation of knowledge, memory and working memory judgement and evaluation reasoning and computation problem-solving and decision making comprehension and production of language. cognitive processes use existing knowledge to discover new knowledge.
Many researchers are conducted to study brain activity while making art. It is found that during art making there is increased brain activity compared to sensory motor tasks. Drawing and colouring can help in memory processing and create new neural pathways. Art activities also activate the reward pathways in the brain. Studies show that art therapy helps improve all aspects of cognition such as attention, language, information, processing et cetera.
How Art Therapy works in the concept of imagination?
Aristotle in On the Soul considered phantasia (imagination) as the capacity for making mental images. It is the art of creating experiences in your mind with the help of previous memories, people, objects and places. From personal experience, I can say I created an art piece which was purely based on imagination which depicted an unrealistic image. For me it was another new journey in art making. I could not paint for a very long time and I felt that a block was removed due to the process of creative therapy. During an art therapy session, it is possible for images to come flooding from the subconscious mind and this can fuel our imagination in altering and transformation thereby helping to create solutions to old stories.
The origins of psychotherapy looked at imagination and how it relates to pain and healing.
The arts - in all forms - are rooted in imagination, and can be used to reflect our pain and healing.
The difference between creativity and imagination
We create what we imagine! In art therapy, you are asked to use your creativity to make original and imaginative artwork.
How art therapy works with creativity?
Creativity is making something new and original. It could be an idea, a product etc. Art therapy provides freedom of expression and it’s a non judgemental space and this can foster creativity. This non-threatening space gives the participants a free hand in choosing what materials they want to use and are allowed to express in an empathetic setting. Creativity is present in all human beings and certain experiences in life might block thought processes which makes it difficult for the clients to explore their emotions.Making art in a therapeutic setting can access hidden images and expressing and exploring them in a creative medium is very healing.
Art therapy, a tool for self expression
Art Therapy activity helps to get in touch with the inner world of a person and helps to express in a creative way what could have been difficult to express through words. Art work can help identify insights into Thoughts, emotions and behaviour. It can help us express the images that come to our mind in our own way, expressing the self through creative mediums helps in automatic healing and also gives a sense of accomplishment. Using art as a tool to express the inner world removes blocks in our creativity and helps to progress towards a harmonious self.
How art therapy works with healing?
Art Therapy is based on the belief in the inherent healing power of the creative process of art making. From Time in Memorial man has turned to creative medium to express himself and in the process find fulfilment. The process of making art is healing because of exploring our thoughts and emotions related to trauma, stress et cetera and this journey of expression gives answers and meaning to many hidden questions. According to research based on https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6124538/
Art Therapy helps to reduce depression, anxiety and fatigue due to chemotherapy in cancer patients and improves their quality of life. In children, art therapy helps with coping. In incarcerated women, art therapy helped with positive emotions and also provided a safe space to explore grief. In adults distortions in cognition were reduced due to Art Therapy intervention. Though Art Therapy is relatively new and exists and gained prominence in he last few decades, there have been many research papers conducted in various populations to prove that Art Therapy is an effective intervention for various physical and mental ailments.
What are Scribbles in Art Therapy
Scribble - rhythmic kinaesthetic sensory experiences can bring relief and help in addressing trauma. Scribbling is a grounding practice and brings us to the here and now which can be a relief from stress. Scribble is an imperfect work of art, but in Art Therapy we find meaning in the scribble work by giving more detail by colouring, hatching et cetera. This type of art reduces anxiety by understanding the beauty in imperfection.
Symbols and metaphors in Art Therapy
Symbols and metaphors, a way of expressing the inner world. It is a bridge between the unconscious and the conscious. Clients express certain images, thoughts, emotions, by way of metaphors and symbols and having a dialogue with the client about what they mean helps to find the meaning behind the artwork which could be the shadow parts of the self that we find difficulty in expressing through words.
Art Therapy and caveman drawings
Art goes back as long as caveman paintings so it would be difficult to ascertain the reasons for this type of visual representation in prehistoric times but we can say that art has been a form of visual expression for a very long period. Most prehistoric art is about animals, beliefs and religious practices.
The tools used were natural materials that were available from nature and in the colours of nature. But we can certainly say that art was a means of communication then and now.
How art therapy works with various populations?
Children - verbal expression for children to express abuse and fear might be difficult, Art Therapy can help in engaging children visually represent their trauma
Young adults - Art Therapy can help in finding goals and meaning with young adults. It can also relieve stress and other difficult emotions and experiences which would otherwise be difficult to express.
Adults - Art Therapy can help with motivation and can increase self-esteem. It can also reduce anxiety and depression in adult population with difficult life experiences and past traumas
Geriatric population - Art Therapy can help in opening new neural pathways and improve cognition and also reduce depression in the older population.
Art materials in an art therapy session
The choice of art materials can help the Art therapist in understanding the type of activities the client is gravitating towards. This also helps in assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the client and their level of creative functioning.
In an out therapy session, it is important to have a wide variety of art supplies and having the client choose a material that they are comfortable with is also helpful for the client to find their comfortable art tool. It also helps the art therapist to gain insight into the cognitive functioning of the client.
Art Therapy in group sessions
Art Therapy sessions in groups are helpful because it helps clients to share their stories and find a sense of togetherness in knowing about others' experience. This can create meaningful relationships by seeking and providing support for each other and brings about positive mental health. Positive social interactions go a long way in maintaining well-being and decreasing negative moods. Since communication and social interactions are basic human needs, group art therapy sessions will bring about harmonious relationships.
Misconceptions About Art Therapy
I have to be an artist
The art in art therapy is an expression of the clients which can be scribbles, geometric shapes and patterns, metaphors etc. This artwork is accepted as it is and the clients give their own meaning which makes it a non judgmental and safe space to express, giving the client total freedom to choose and represent their inner world as they see fit.
Art therapy is only for a certain group of people
Art therapy is psychotherapy and it differs only in the way the client expresses his or her feelings. As psychotherapy addresses all populations so is art therapy and can be applied for all types of populations.
I am an artist and I can be an art therapist
Art therapy requires a Master’s degree in psychology to be an art therapist and if you have a bachelor’s degree in psychology, with an additional diploma in art therapy you can be an art therapy facilitator. Individuals from other disciplines will be required to do further study in psychology.
Art VS Art therapy
Art by its creative nature is healing and the learning is with the help of an art instructor or by the individual through various methods. Art therapy is supported with psychological theories and guided by psychologists and facilitators who have a degree in psychology.
Conclusion
Art Therapy is a way of healing the mind and the body by integrating both areas into one wholesome space. The creative aspect of Art Therapy by making unique artworks, the art mediums and the colours add an interesting perspective to this form of healing. The images in the artwork which speak to us bring meaning and improve our self worth.
References
King, Juliet L., and Girija Kaimal. \”Approaches to Research in Art Therapy Using Imaging Technologies.\” Frontiers in human neuroscience 13, 2019.
The art therapy sourcebook Book by Cathy Malchiodi
