Who can benefit from Art Therapy?
Many different people can benefit from Art Therapy. The qualifier would be how open an individual is to taking part in the art process. There is a way for each person to utilize some type of artform to their benefit whether it be painting, coloring, photography, writing, dancing, singing, cooking, woodworking, etc.
There is no age or skill requirement for Art Therapy, it can be for everyone! Art therapists work with children, adolescents, and adults and provide services to individuals, couples, families, groups, and communities.
Art therapy has provided mental health treatment for clients who have experienced trauma, grief and loss, depression, chronic illness, substance abuse, and much more.
There is no age or skill requirement for Art Therapy, it can be for everyone! Art therapists work with children, adolescents, and adults and provide services to individuals, couples, families, groups, and communities.
Art therapy has provided mental health treatment for clients who have experienced trauma, grief and loss, depression, chronic illness, substance abuse, and much more.
What is Art Therapy?
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Art Therapy can be defined many different ways mainly depending on who you ask. I typically tell people that it is much easier to show people what Art Therapy is rather than explain it because the essence of what Art Therapy is, is truly beyond words. But obviously we need to be able to communicate what it is that we do as well. Below I have collected some great definitions of Art Therapy…
Art therapy is a form of expressive therapy that uses art materials, such as paints, chalks, and markers. Art therapy combines traditional psychotherapeutic theories and techniques with an understanding of the psychological aspects of the creative process, especially the affective properties of the different art materials. |
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From the Art Therapy Without Borders website: Art has the potential to change lives and in profound ways. When words are not enough, we turn to images and symbols to tell our stories. And in telling our stories through art, we can find a path to health and wellness, emotional reparation, recovery, and ultimately, transformation.
From the Art Therapy Alliance: Art therapy is the deliberate use of art-making to address psychological and emotional needs. Art therapy uses art media and the creative process to help in areas such as, but not limited to: fostering self-expression, enhancing coping skills, managing stress, and strengthening a sense of self.
From the book Expressive Therapies [2005]: The purpose of art therapy is much the same as in any other psychotherapeutic modality: to improve or maintain mental health and emotional well-being. But whereas some of the other expressive therapies utilize the performing arts for expressive purposes, art therapy generally utilizes drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, and other forms of visual art expression. For that reason art therapists are trained to recognize the nonverbal symbols and metaphors that are communicated within the creative process, symbols and metaphors which might be difficult to express in words or in other modalities. Art making is seen as an opportunity to express oneself imaginatively, authentically, and spontaneously, an experience that, over time, can lead to personal fulfillment, emotional reparation, and transformation. This view also holds that the creative process, in and of itself, can be a health-enhancing and growth producing experience.
From Art Therapy Sourcebook [2006] and Art Therapy Without Borders: Although art therapists have generated many specific definitions of art therapy, most of them fall into one of two general categories. The first involves a belief in the inherent healing power of the creative process of art making. This view embraces the idea that the process of making art is therapeutic; this process is sometimes referred to as art as therapy. Art making is seen as an opportunity to express oneself imaginatively, authentically, and spontaneously, an experience that, over time, can lead to personal fulfillment, emotional reparation, and transformation.
The second definition of art therapy is based on the idea that art is a means of symbolic communication. This approach, often referred to as art psychotherapy, emphasizes the products–drawings, paintings, and other art expressions–as helpful in communicating issues, emotions, and conflicts. The art image becomes significant in enhancing verbal exchange between the person and the therapist and in achieving insight; resolving conflicts; solving problems; and formulating new perceptions that in turn lead to positive changes, growth, and healing. In reality, art as therapy and art psychotherapy are used together in varying degrees. In other words, both the idea that art making can be a healing process and that art products communicate information relevant to therapy are important.
These definitions were taken form the Art Therapy Without Borders website: http://www.atwb.org/what-is-art-therapy/
From the Art Therapy Alliance: Art therapy is the deliberate use of art-making to address psychological and emotional needs. Art therapy uses art media and the creative process to help in areas such as, but not limited to: fostering self-expression, enhancing coping skills, managing stress, and strengthening a sense of self.
From the book Expressive Therapies [2005]: The purpose of art therapy is much the same as in any other psychotherapeutic modality: to improve or maintain mental health and emotional well-being. But whereas some of the other expressive therapies utilize the performing arts for expressive purposes, art therapy generally utilizes drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, and other forms of visual art expression. For that reason art therapists are trained to recognize the nonverbal symbols and metaphors that are communicated within the creative process, symbols and metaphors which might be difficult to express in words or in other modalities. Art making is seen as an opportunity to express oneself imaginatively, authentically, and spontaneously, an experience that, over time, can lead to personal fulfillment, emotional reparation, and transformation. This view also holds that the creative process, in and of itself, can be a health-enhancing and growth producing experience.
From Art Therapy Sourcebook [2006] and Art Therapy Without Borders: Although art therapists have generated many specific definitions of art therapy, most of them fall into one of two general categories. The first involves a belief in the inherent healing power of the creative process of art making. This view embraces the idea that the process of making art is therapeutic; this process is sometimes referred to as art as therapy. Art making is seen as an opportunity to express oneself imaginatively, authentically, and spontaneously, an experience that, over time, can lead to personal fulfillment, emotional reparation, and transformation.
The second definition of art therapy is based on the idea that art is a means of symbolic communication. This approach, often referred to as art psychotherapy, emphasizes the products–drawings, paintings, and other art expressions–as helpful in communicating issues, emotions, and conflicts. The art image becomes significant in enhancing verbal exchange between the person and the therapist and in achieving insight; resolving conflicts; solving problems; and formulating new perceptions that in turn lead to positive changes, growth, and healing. In reality, art as therapy and art psychotherapy are used together in varying degrees. In other words, both the idea that art making can be a healing process and that art products communicate information relevant to therapy are important.
These definitions were taken form the Art Therapy Without Borders website: http://www.atwb.org/what-is-art-therapy/
Where is Art Therapy used?
As with many other mental health disciplines, Art Therapy is and can be used in many different settings.
The following are a few examples of where you might find Art Therapy programming:
Art therapy can be found in both clinical and non-clinical settings. For example, art studios may offer workshops that focus on developing creativity whereas inpatient treatment could be serving populations individually and in group environments for those struggling with substance abuse, eating disorders, self-harm, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, etc. From this you can see the range that Art Therapy services can take. It is a very versatile therapy in that it can be tailored to each individuals needs easily.
The following are a few examples of where you might find Art Therapy programming:
- Inpatient psychiatric clinics
- Art Studios
- Outpatient clinics
- Senior Living Communities-
- Hospitals (child and adult)
- Nursing Homes
- Day treatment mental health programming
- Private Practice settings
- Community Centers
- Schools
- Non-profit community organizations
- Jails & Prisons
Art therapy can be found in both clinical and non-clinical settings. For example, art studios may offer workshops that focus on developing creativity whereas inpatient treatment could be serving populations individually and in group environments for those struggling with substance abuse, eating disorders, self-harm, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, etc. From this you can see the range that Art Therapy services can take. It is a very versatile therapy in that it can be tailored to each individuals needs easily.
Is Art Therapy for me?
It definitely could be. If you went through any of the information provided on this website or other places and it resonated with you then Art Therapy might just be the right place to start your journey.
The Client/Therapist relationship is very important in this journey. If you are interested in services through Madison Art Therapy with Mary or Kelly then feel free to email us through this page or call us at the following numbers:
If Madison Art Therapy does not seem like the right fit for you try looking through your local Art Therapy Association like the Wisconsin Art Therapy Association (WATA) for therapists practicing in your area. There is also a therapist finder link provided through the American Art Therapy Association (AATA).
The Client/Therapist relationship is very important in this journey. If you are interested in services through Madison Art Therapy with Mary or Kelly then feel free to email us through this page or call us at the following numbers:
- Mary - 608-305-4325
- Kelly - 608-520-0846
If Madison Art Therapy does not seem like the right fit for you try looking through your local Art Therapy Association like the Wisconsin Art Therapy Association (WATA) for therapists practicing in your area. There is also a therapist finder link provided through the American Art Therapy Association (AATA).
Madison Art Therapy700 Rayovac Dr, Suite 320, Madison, WI 53711
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