Art Therapy

Disclaimer: This information is in no way intended to be a substitute for modern medical care. Do not self-treat any medical complaint without the guidance of a licensed health care provider.

      Art and creativity are thought to be fundamental human abilities and needs. Art therapy builds on this idea: People work through the emotional difficulties of depression, addiction and other mental disorders by pursuing artistic endeavors. Usually used in conjunction with other treatments, such as psychotherapy, it draws on the visual, less analytical capacities of the brain. This allows for the expression of unconscious feelings, need and conflicts that may be difficult to describe in words or in other forms of therapy.

      Artistic talent is not required or even relevant for the treatment to be successful. Painting, sculpting, dance, music and eurhythmics, which combines movement, music and talk, are common forms of art therapy. They awaken our creative potential to help us deal with conflict and illness. It can be beneficial for aiding psychosomatic disorders, emotional conflict, depression, anxiety, apathy, lack of energy, addiction, lack of contact, chronic pain, mental problems in the elderly, stress and behavioral disorders.

      Experiment with various art materials and techniques, such as pastels, charcoal, watercolor or oils, to discover the mediums with which you are most comfortable and to which you respond most strongly.

The Colors of Painting Therapy
      In painting therapy, the patient is encouraged to express his or her feelings, wishes and thoughts pictorially, using colors and shapes. The color a patient selects are thought to have a psychological meaning. Black may stand for fear or grief, red may mean energy and liveliness and blue may be the symbol for peace.

Environmental Therapy
      Environmental therapy concentrates on making creative changes to the environment to make it more livable. In groups, participants decide on a joint project - for example, redecorating a room, building a piece of furniture or digging a pond outdoors. The important thing is for every member of the group to do something that is new to him/her. This teaches participants not only to develop and try new creative skills but also to integrate them into everyday life.
      Discussion with other participants in the group is just as important. When working together on a group project, people learn to deal with rivalry, uncertainty and responsibility. They experience new types of behavior, therefore expanding their potential and developing strength. A new self-confidence is experienced, which allows a person to deal more effectively with an illness.

The Treatment
      You can use art therapy to explore your feelings by painting or drawing in your everyday life. Keep in mind, though, emotional and psychosomatic disorders require treatment by a psychotherapist with specialized training. Health insurance funds generally will not cover the cost of art therapy sessions.

The Effects
      Because creating expands our minds to a new dimension, art therapy stimulates self-healing abilities. Painting, sculpting or playing a musical instrument promotes concentration, imagination and creativity. Patients participating in art therapy can express themselves and work through internal tensions. Colors, sounds and movements create order and form for both the mind and body.

The Viewpoint of Mainstream Medicine
       Art therapy is considered to be a supplemental treatment. It is a well-established and widely applied therapy in health spas, rehabilitation centers and psychiatric institutions.

Therapeutic Sculpting With Clay
       Sculpting with clay opens the door to your own feelings and needs:

  1. Make a sphere from a ball of clay by slowly rolling and kneading the clay with your hands.
  2. Close your eyes while working the clay. Concentrate on how the material feels.
  3. Give your imagination free rein, and shape the sphere into a sculpture. It can be an abstract form or a real object.
  4. When you have finished your work of art, concentrate on how you feel, what the figure means to you and why you decided to make it. Does the figure connect to something that is on your mind?
  5. The shape of your sculpture will show you your current weaknesses and strengths.
    • Is the figure powerful and stable, or does it seem rather delicate and ornate?
    • What aspects of your character does it suggest to you?
    • Do you like the shape, or do you want to change it?
    • Does the sculpture tell you something about the goals that you would like to achieve?
    • Try to look at the figure objectively.
Confidentiality Statement: (for anyone who does not respect copyright and/or is confused regarding this issue) The information, data and schematics embodied in the document are confidential and proprietary, being exclusively owned by Ellen J. Lord (aka Purpleflame or Firefly). This document is being supplied on understanding that it and its contents shall not be used, reproduced, or disclosed to others except as specifically permitted with the prior written consent of Ellen J. Lord. The recipient of this document, by its retention and use, agrees to protect the same from loss, theft, or unauthorized use.

Sources:
      All information provided in this article is the result of research using (but not limited to) the following books and guides: Herbs for Health and Healing, Rodale; Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, Scott Cunningham; Magical Herbalism, Scott Cunningham; The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, International Masters Publishers; Earthway, Mary Summer Rain; Teach Yourself Herbs, Susie White; Natural Beauty from the Garden, Janice Cox; Nature's Prescriptions, Editors of FC&A Medical Publishing, and The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies, Joe Graedon and Theresa Graedon, Ph.D