What comes to your mind when you hear the word art therapist? Some people think that an art therapist psychoanalyzes art.

I first became aware of the power of the visual image and art therapy through my son. He was four years old when his father and I separated. The next day he drew a huge, scribble picture in red crayons……….unusual for him as he literally teethed on crayons and could draw detailed figures. He was in emotional turmoil. Next, and for about a year his people drawings no longer had faces. One would not need to be an art therapist to understand that this child was confused about his self-image and the people around him.

Art need not have words. It is a non-verbal language.

What is Art Therapy?

Art therapy is an established mental health profession that uses the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages. It is based on the belief that the creative process involved in artistic self-expression helps people to resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve insight. Art therapy integrates the fields of human development, visual art (drawing, painting, sculpture, and other art forms), and the creative process with models of counseling and psychotherapy. It is in essence the marriage of art and psychology.

Although art therapists do not psychoanalyze art, they are skilled in the application of a variety of art modalities (drawing, painting, sculpture, and other media) for assessment and treatment. Several pieces of art are used to form an assessment based on elements within the art and its process.

How Does Art Therapy Work?

Although some people confess that they do not have any artistic abilities, it is my belief that artistic expression lies in all of us and requires a sense of trust and the freedom to allow the flowing for magic to happen.

An art therapist sets the stage for the magic to happen. In other words, the magic is the process by which a person explores their world using art medium to foster self-awareness guided by an art therapist. Similar to other mental health professionals, an art therapist provides a safe environment in which a person feels comfortable to share from the heart

The process of creativity is transforming and allows the person to realign with oneself. Thus, creating art provides the opportunity for healing of personal issues which cause a person to be out of touch with one’s true essence. The art product is not only a representation of this process, but also a product of the Self.

It is known that just the process of creating art is therapeutic and talking about it may or may not enhance the experience. The sharing of artwork allows the person to be heard or understood as well as integrates the insights. It is a product of Self and how incredibly healing it is to have someone listen or be present when sharing at a deep personal level. This is the essence of art therapy.

In Summary, art therapy utilizes the creative process of artistic expression to promote healing. Art therapists are trained to understand and evoke artistic self-expression whereby a person gains greater understand of himself and the world. Art therapists promote individual well-being in an environment of safety and fun where a person feels free to be himself and share from a heart level. Art Therapists treat the person, his process and art with the utmost of compassion and skill to foster self-esteem and discovery.