What is Art Therapy

Art Therapy:

Knowledge of therapeutic qualities of art exists from ancient times and thus in the process of understanding art and the emotions behind it, psychotherapy and art were blended to form a new Therapeutic setting which is known as Art Therapy.

“Art therapy combines the creative process and psychotherapy, facilitating self-exploration and understanding. Using imagery, colour and shape as part of this creative therapeutic process, thoughts and feelings can be expressed that would otherwise be difficult to articulate.” 

- Canadian Art Therapy Association 

While psychology uses communication as the healing tool, art therapy utilizes art as a healing activity and yet it embraces the psychological aspects of analyzing the problems and understanding the healing process of an individual.

“Art Therapy is an integrative mental health and human services profession that enriches the lives of individuals, families, and communities through active art-making, creative process, applied psychological theory, and human experience within a psychotherapeutic relationship. Art Therapy, facilitated by a professional art therapist, effectively supports personal and relational treatment goals as well as community concerns. Art Therapy is used to improve cognitive and sensory-motor functions, foster self-esteem and self-awareness, cultivate emotional resilience, promote insight, enhance social skills, reduce and resolve conflicts and distress, and advance societal and ecological change.”                                                           

- American Art Therapy Association (AATA, 2017)

How art therapy works?

There are multiple ranges of therapies for enhancing human life and to untie the emotional conflicts; while all therapies have certain structures to provide treatment, art therapy engages the emotional chains in questions to cognise and reform the conflicts through art as underpinnings of intervention and therapy.

Whom will art therapy help?

Art therapy can be used for self-exploration by any person. Also, Art therapy can help people with stress, learning disabilities, mental health problems, eating disorders, juvenile delinquency, behavioural problems, cancer, depression, identity crisis etc.