How Art Therapy Helps Mental Wellbeing
Art and other creative activities are an important part of self-expression. That’s why art is a perfect medium to promote self-care and self-healing, and it has been used for centuries as a medium for mental wellness. Today, artistic methods are being used therapeutically in a process called art therapy.
Doctors recognized that people who are mentally ill frequently expressed themselves through art, according to verywell mind. This led them to explore how art could be used therapeutically. Art therapy was developed in the 1940s by Margaret Naumberg.
The goal of art therapy is to use the artistic creative process as self-expression and to help patients gain insight into themselves. The creation of works of art, in different mediums, helps people explore their emotions, develop self-awareness, and learn coping skills.
How Does Art Therapy Work
Art therapy sessions should not be confused with art classes. In art classes you learn art techniques and work on a finished piece. Art therapy is done by trained therapists and focuses on your inner experience and uses art and creativity to help with mental health concerns that include anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and even psychological symptoms caused by medical conditions.
The therapist can help you interpret and express your thoughts and emotions through art – drawing, painting, or sculpture – according to Health. This can help you work towards resolving the issues that are causing mental distress.
Art therapy can help you engage your mind and body in different ways than talk therapy by helping you express yourself and gain beneficial insights about yourself.
The Benefits of Art Therapy
Art therapy has been found to be effective in times of crisis, like during grief or trauma. It has successfully been used to treat people with PTSD. A 2018 study published in Frontiers Psychology found that talk therapy significantly reduced trauma symptoms and decreased levels of depression. This type of therapy also helped to reduce depression symptoms in people in nursing homes and prisons.
While art therapy has not been as studied as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), it is an emerging form of therapy, according to Health. Many therapists believe that combining talk therapy with art therapy can be extremely useful for people who suffer from anxiety disorder and other mental illnesses.
While this type of therapy may not speak to everyone, other therapies that use creativity as a way of self-expression include music therapy, dance therapy and writing therapy. Try one that speaks to you and start healing.
