The Full Story
About 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.
There are certain qualifications required of art therapists.
In Canada and the United States, art therapists must have at minimum a master’s degree or a master’s level diploma in art therapy before identifying themselves within the profession. This graduate level education includes supervised clinical practicum hours (minimum requirement for all practicums is 700 hours and at least 350 of these hours should involve direct client contact), thus ensuring the safety of the client as well as professional liability for agencies and employers offering this form of therapy.
Art Therapy for Trauma Recovery
Why Art Therapy in Trauma Recovery?
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Research shows that trauma is stored in the brain as a sensory experience, with fragments of images and sensations, rather than a cognitive, coherent narrative
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A sensory experience such as art therapy can thus provide a vehicle for externalizing traumatic experiences and releasing tension
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The kinesthetic experience of art-making may also serve to enhance a relaxation response and help increase the ability to tolerate stressors
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The manipulation of art material and guidance of the art therapist help to modulate emotions, thus strengthening the person’s sense of control
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The resulting artwork can serve as a symbolic representation and container of the effects of trauma, thus aiding the person in integrating the experience and feelings into one’s life narrative
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Art therapy encourages creativity, and supports the individual to connect with inner strengths and develop alternative responses to stressors and problems
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Art-making can be a pleasurable experience that supports individuals in addressing emotional numbing as a result of trauma, and reconnecting with positive emotions
Art Therapy for Children
Art Therapy Can Help With:
Behavioural issues
Depression
ADD/ADHD
Autism spectrum disorder
Learning disabilities
Physical/developmental disabilities
Anger management
Grief and loss
Anxiety and stress
Interpersonal issues such as bullying, and social isolation
Experiences of trauma/abuse
Attachment difficulties/disorders
Oppositional/defiant behaviour
Dealing with sibling or family dynamics
Identity exploration
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How Can Art Therapy Benefit Children?
Psychosocial support
Assist in coping with physical health conditions such as cancer
Decrease loneliness and social isolation
Increase relaxation
Reduce anxiety and agitation
Build interpersonal skills, and increase meaningful and positive interaction with family and friends
Increase self awareness and self discovery
Build positive coping skills
Promote freedom of choice, sense of achievement, and sense of mastery, thus increasing self-esteem
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Art Therapy for Seniors
Art Therapy Can Help With:
•Major physical, psychological and life changes
•Grief and loss
•Depression and anxiety
•Loneliness and isolation
•Sensory-motor difficulties
•Cognitive decline
•Addiction and mental health issues
•Trauma or unresolved conflicts
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How Can Art Therapy Benefit Seniors?
•Creative process and opportunity to make own choices help to rekindle new energy
•Stimulating the senses and sharpening cognitive and perceptual skills
•Opportunity to learn compensatory techniques through the use of art material
•Preserving a sense of pride and dignity by creating a tangible art product
•Decreasing feelings of isolation and despair through social interactions and opportunity to gain recognition for one’s achievements
•Provide visual focus for reality-orientation and non-verbal means of communication for individuals dealing with loss of cognitive and language abilities
•Support individuals to become aware of and work through emotional reactions to losses and limitations
•Structured activities of reminiscence and life review help integrate unresolved issues, take pride in one’s past, and connect with inner strengths and wisdom