Art therapy
The use of art has always been used for self-expression and to convey ideas
and emotions that are difficult to describe verbally. It's potential as a therapeutic
tool became apparent after World War 2 when survivors of the war used art in hospitals
and rehabilitation centres to help to overcome the traumas they had experienced.
Art Therapy is a non-verbal way of revealing deeper emotions that may not otherwise
be clearly expressed.
Art Therapy is a form of psychotherapy where art (creative expression using
various media: painting, drawing, sculpture etc) is sued to allow safe expression
of emotions. The client is encouraged to express themselves freely through art,
allowing a link between the subconscious the product of the art therapy. The resulting
images can help to bring to light any suppressed emotions or conflicts. Reflecting
on the images can help to understand and deal with the issues that arise. Art
Therapy is also used as a tool for personal growth and greater self-understanding.
There are two main approaches to Art Therapy. One is that the act of creating
the artwork is therapeutic in itself and allows the client to understand their
own inner conflicts and emotions without any interpretation from the therapist.
The other approach takes the view that the artwork is a non-verbal method of communicating
and allows the therapist to understand and identify the client's needs through
interpretation to help them to deal with the issues.
Art Therapy is often used in hospitals, prisons, education centres and mental
health clinics and is suitable for people of all ages. It is especially beneficial
for emotional and psychological disorders as it provides a means of communication
to express feelings that are too difficult to verbalise. It is also of great use
for personal development and growth by helping to identify problem areas and then
transform negative images into positive ones.
Therapy sessions may be on a one-to-one basis or in a group. An initial consultation
is taken to determine general health, medical treatment and lifestyle details
before any sessions commence. No previous art experience is necessary as the purpose
is to use the art media to help to communicate deeper inner emotions which can
then be self-interpreted.
Click here for a list of practitioners, schools and
associations.
Useful Organisations:
Send an email to info@chisuk.org.uk
if you would like to have your school or association listed on this page.
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