“Art therapy is a discipline that encourages us to create from the difficult places in life and the skilled art therapist helps us to openly engage in the most challenging conditions with a confidence that the creative process will transform conflicts into something new” - McNiff, 2004
Art as a tool for healing
For all of the artists I know who have told me that art-making has a healing impact on their lives, it is surprising that so few people have heard of, or experienced art therapy. Art is symbolic. When we create art work, we search for symbols to help express ourselves metaphorically. Art helps people to consider multiple perspectives and engages our imaginations. Making art is an empowering experience, one that can help us to express ourselves in ways that are limitless. This expressive power comes to life in art therapy.
But what IS art therapy?
People may think that the only way of “getting help” or going to therapy is by working through life’s problems, relationship issues, or difficult feelings in talk therapy. Art therapy goes beyond using words. In art therapy, the art therapist uses a variety of art-based activities to help clients with whatever challenges they might be facing. Clients are empowered to choose which art materials to work with, make decisions about what images or art works they will create, and decide what different aspects of their work represents.
Using art-making in a therapeutic way, like you do in art therapy, can help clients to consider different perspectives, use metaphors and symbolism to understand their challenges or even transform their difficult feelings or personal struggles. In art therapy, challenge and discomfort is used as rich and personal source material for art (Moon, 2016). Even if the art created in art therapy is abstract, or non-representational, the process of art-making itself could still be helpful. This might be soothing, relaxing, playful, joyful, or even just fun!
Art therapy uses a combination of the expressive power of creativity and the supportive relationship of talk therapy to help clients improve their lives, understand their emotions, and overcome personal challenges.
McNiff, S. (2004). Art heals: How creativity cures the soul. Shambhala Publications.
Moon, B. L. (2016). Art-based group therapy: Theory and practice. Charles C Thomas Publisher.