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Is Art Therapeutic?
Do you find that art or craft has a therapeutic or healing effect on you?
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2 Replies
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Yes, art therapy is considered a therapeutic approach that can be beneficial for individuals in various ways. Art therapy combines the creative process of making art with psychological techniques and theories to promote healing, self-expression, and personal growth.
Here are some ways in which art therapy can be therapeutic:
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Emotional expression: Art provides a non-verbal form of communication, allowing individuals to express and explore their emotions, thoughts, and experiences that may be difficult to put into words. This can be particularly helpful for individuals who struggle with verbal expression or have experienced trauma.
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Stress reduction: Engaging in art-making can be a calming and relaxing activity that helps to reduce stress and anxiety. It can serve as a form of self-care and provide a sense of relief from daily pressures.
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Self-discovery and self-reflection: Creating art in a therapeutic setting can promote self-exploration and insight. The art created can serve as a mirror, reflecting aspects of the individual’s personality, beliefs, and experiences, which can lead to greater self-awareness and understanding.
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Healing and trauma recovery: Art therapy can be a valuable tool in the healing process for individuals who have experienced trauma. It provides a safe space to process and express difficult emotions, and can aid in building resilience and coping skills.
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Enhancing communication and interpersonal skills: Art therapy can facilitate the development of communication skills, as individuals can share their artwork with others and discuss the thoughts and feelings behind their creations. It can also help improve social skills and foster connections within a therapeutic group setting.
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Empowerment and self-esteem: Engaging in art-making and witnessing the creative process can boost self-esteem and promote a sense of accomplishment. Creating something tangible can instill a sense of empowerment and control, especially for individuals who may feel limited or powerless in other areas of their lives.
It’s important to note that art therapy should be facilitated by a trained art therapist who can guide the process and provide appropriate support and interventions based on the individual’s needs.
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Yes, art can be therapeutic, it is a way of expressing ones self and therefore allows us to express what we cannot express in words or language. Apart from the professional art therapy, one can still approach art as a therapeutic release.
It’s important to know what you want to drive out of your practice after a certain period. If it’s therapeutic release, you should focus on making art nice and relaxing. Take out time and try to make the space calm and relaxing, i would suggest the use of watercolors as a beginner because it allows one to be free and you can experiment a lot with just a few colours.
Hope this helps!