Our traditional understanding of art (painting, coloring, or sketching) is something that is incredibly creative and beautiful. Artists are appreciated and commended for their creativity.
The last few years have seen growing awareness around issues of mental health issues. Individuals are more willing to come forward and seek expert help to overcome complex issues of past trauma.
However, there is also another dimension of art that is not discussed as much as it should be. The past few years have seen some pathbreaking studies and researches being conducted around Art Therapy. According to leading clinical experts, art can be one of the best ways to help overcome serious issues like-
- Depression
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSDs)
- Anxiety
- Different Phobias
In this resource article, we are going to uncover some of the meaningful benefits of Art Therapy. We speak to leading experts at Solace Art Psychotherapy. If you are someone that is struggling with mental health issues and are looking for ways to help you overcome the same, this article might just be able to help you.
Art Therapy: Meaning and Definition
Many of us are not too comfortable talking about a past incident that has left us traumatized. Talking to near and dear ones, or even complete strangers in the form of experts or counselors might be something that would only end up making us more uncomfortable.
How would these individuals overcome their mental health concerns, anxiety, or depression-related issues?
The straightforward answer is through Art Therapy!
Using art (painting, drawing, sketching, etc.) to convey emotions, feelings, and stresses is what this entails.
Experts point that out that Art Therapy is particularly useful in addressing serious trauma-related issues. For example, an individual that has hidden their emotions with regard to separation, death, or even abuse can manage their emotions, reconcile their past, and work on adjusting their behavior.
Limitations of Traditional Mental Health Therapy and Counselling?
Did you know that the human brain blocks all negative emotions and feelings? Why does it do so? The simple answer is because the brain by cooping up all the negativity allows us to carry on with our normal lives.
You might turn around and say that there are so many ways and strategies through which mental health issues can be resolved. Yes, there is indeed no dearth of mental health professionals, therapists, and counselors.
Yet, there is one major problem that prevents many from seeking help from these experts. You see, the human brain is a beautiful and complex puzzle.
It stores and hides trauma, pain, suffering, abuse, etc. Simply talking to someone about such complex issues is not possible for many. In other words, opening up in front of complete strangers and discussing sensitive and life-changing situations or issues becomes difficult.
This is one of the biggest limitations of traditional mental health therapy and counseling. Art therapy facilitates non-verbal communication. This makes the entire process less intimidating in nature. Additionally, using art as a medium of communication means that you do not have to speak about your problems out loud.
Repeating or voicing cases of mental trauma can bring a lot of grief and stress for the affected individuals.
Major Benefits of Art Therapy according to Experts
Art therapy has been used to treat mental health issues for a long time now. Here, the aim is to process feelings, manage behaviors, reduce stress along with self-esteem.
- Creating art can actually help you in recognizing and acknowledging your feelings, which have been lurking in your subconscious. This takes place specifically on the right side of the brain.
- The entire process will offer you a feeling of self-accomplishment that can be very crucial to enhancing your confidence and self-appreciation. Fostering self-esteem is a critical component of art therapy.
- Complex emotions, like anger, or sadness sometimes cannot be expressed with words. There is a lot of societal stigmas involved. A near relative engaging in physical and sexual abuse cannot be called out upon very easily.
- Non-verbal communication ensures that past trauma is not repeated. In other words, you might start replaying the trauma in your mind when you start speaking about the same. Art therapy prevents that from happening.
The Role of Trained and Experienced Art Therapy Professionals
Art psychotherapists are trained professionals that help patients that have suffered from severe traumatic experiences in their life. Their way of functioning is different from other counselors or therapists.
They are trained to draw meanings and inferences from the art and deduce the implications, sensitivities, and feelings behind the same. The aim is to talk, without talking in an environment that is safe, confidential, and secure.
The end goal is to achieve catharsis by blending psychotherapy with the infinite possibilities that art bestows. In very simple words, it helps you dig deep into your subconscious and release feelings and emotions that you had long buried.
The Bottom Line
With art therapy, you no longer need to suffer in silence. By getting help from registered practitioners, you can manage complex emotions, trauma, and episodes of suffering ethically.
If you have any other doubts or questions, which you would like us to address, please feel free to reach out in the comments below. We would be more than happy to clarify as many of your doubts on art therapy as possible.
