Why is it useful to be creative even for those who cannot draw, sing, or dance at all? Art therapy helps people process traumatic experiences and deal with fears. It promotes adaptation to new situations, corrects difficult behaviour in children, and even improves the condition of people with mental disorders. This article is all about art therapy and how you can practice it.
What is Art Therapy?
The core idea of art therapy is that creative expression promotes mental well-being. Through creativity, a person can understand themselves and learn to overcome difficulties. Of course, you could argue that there are different ways to temporarily escape from your problems. Some individuals may opt to visit free spins no deposit casinos to lift their spirits. However, art therapy offers an immediate and risk-free alternative for addressing your concerns without the possibility of losing money.
Art therapy, in its narrow sense, employs drawing, modelling, collages, and photography. In a broader sense, it includes any type of creativity like dancing, singing, playing music, and theatrical performances.
Art therapy is suitable for children who have behavioural difficulties and learning problems. It helps terminally ill patients to contemplate difficult topics and come to terms with reality. It is used for the adaptation of refugees and people with traumatic experiences. It increases self-esteem and improves the general condition of patients with certain types of psychiatric diseases.
What distinguishes art therapy from ordinary creative activities is the specific request with which a person comes to class. A client approaches a therapist with a specific problem, and they try to solve it using different techniques. The sessions do not aim to develop the ability to draw or sing. Moreover, art therapy does not require exceptional creativity. Its goal is not to create a great work of art but to find contact with one’s inner world.
About Art Therapy Sessions
Clients come with specific issues. Based on the goals, individual, group, or family sessions are recommended. These sessions take place in a designated creative space. The studio may be divided into zones: one for therapist-client communication, another for drawing, sculpting, or creating models, and a third for movement, dancing, or acting out performances. A well-organized environment fosters a sense of safety and encourages clients to open up.
At the end of each session, participants discuss their creative process, feelings, and thoughts. It often takes several sessions to address the issue fully.
How to Practice Art Therapy on Your Own
Art therapy could be an essential part of self-care. Simple self-practices can help you get rid of anxiety, feel your emotions better, be in touch with yourself and maintain mental health.
Draw your mood
Try drawing your mood on paper. It helps to recognize and acknowledge your feelings and experience them fully. Afterwards, you can channel the energy into other important activities like work and creativity. Many artists keep a special notebook where they illustrate their moods regularly. You can use this technique as well.
Try mindful drawing
This exercise is one of the options for meditation. It helps train concentration and awareness. Take a photo with a lot of detail. It could be a close-up of tree bark, a shell, or bird feathers. Try to redraw the photo in as much detail as possible. Try to focus on the process and don’t think about anything. To avoid distractions, you can set a timer for 10-15 minutes.
Make a collage of emotions
If you are stuck in negative emotions, try making a collage that expresses your state. You can use clippings from newspapers and magazines, coloured paper, and paints. Remember that your goal is not to create a “beautiful” piece, but to process your feelings. This exercise helps you feel your inner state through creativity. Recognize emotions, live through them and begin to move on.
Use plasticine
Working with plasticine is a highly tactile and grounding experience that can empower us to regain control of our senses during times of uncertainty. Nowadays, there are various materials available for modelling like lightweight plasticine, natural clay, and kinetic sand. Choose one that you find enjoyable to touch and keep it readily accessible. Whenever you need to unwind, you can sculpt figures or simply knead the pliable mass in your hands.
Say goodbye to unpleasant experiences
This is a powerful exercise for releasing regrets, grievances, anxieties, fears and any negative experiences. Draw on a piece of paper what is bothering you. Then place the sheet in the sink or large bowl and light it. Don’t forget about safety! The bowl must be fireproof and large enough. Just in case, have water ready to quickly extinguish the fire if necessary. Look at the burning paper and mentally let go of your worries.