What is Art Therapy?
Art therapy is a mental health profession that applies the creative process of art making to improve the mental and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages. Art Therapy combines the use of counseling and psychotherapy with the creative process. It is founded on the idea that the creative process involved in artistic self-expression can help individuals resolve conflicts, gain insight and self-awareness, develop interpersonal skills, reduce stress, regulate behavior, and increase self-esteem and self-actualization. Through this creative expression, clients are able to access an additional level of insight that promotes an alternative format in which to process difficult experiences/emotions when words may not have been previously adequate to express the individual’s thoughts and feelings. Art Therapy primarily focuses on the process and what is learned during the creative process rather than the completed product. This allows it to be applicable to all levels of creativity and age ranges.
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Who can benefit from Art Therapy and what does it treat?
Art Therapy is used with children, adolescents, adults, older adults, groups, and family units. Art Therapy is utilized to assess and treat the following: Depression, anxiety and other mental and emotional problems; trauma and loss; family relationship issues; abuse and domestic violence; social and emotional difficulties related to disability and illness; substance abuse and other addictions; physical, cognitive, and neurological problems, and psychosocial difficulties related to medical illness.
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Who is an Art Therapist?
Art Therapists are master level professionals who have a degree in Art Therapy. They must be certified by the Art Therapy Credentials Board and uphold the ethical standards and continuing education requirements required by that board. Art Therapists are experienced in the application of numerous artistic medias (painting, drawing, clay, sculpture, and other mediums) to utilize for assessment and clinical treatment.
