Art Therapy Near Me. Both art therapy and therapeutic art-making can provide alleviation to the adverse effects of stress and trauma by giving individuals a new medium of expression. Anyone who has shown any interest in the idea of art as therapy has likely wondered about the main difference between therapeutic art-making and art therapy itself. This is actually something that many art experts are asked about often, and in fact, there are a few differences between the two that should be made note of.
Here are some of the most common differences between therapeutic art-making (aka “art as therapy”) and art therapy.
GOAL OF EACH
Perhaps one of the most common differences between the two is the overall goal, which is self expression. In other words, the main goal involving art therapy is to either communicate or express something, while the main goal involving therapeutic art-making is to either experiment or learn something. Whether through a new technique involving creating something specific or replicating an example or instruction. Additionally, creating and learning something will also impact how both artwork and art supplies are also viewed by others.
RELATIONSHIPS
Another common difference between therapeutic art-making and art therapy involves the general relationship between the artist and the professional involved.
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While art therapy typically involves a therapeutic relationship, which is considered to be the most important part of any type of therapy, there are certain elements and boundaries to a therapeutic relationship. An
art therapy session is facilitated by a professional art therapist who leads a client through art exercises that encourage emotional, creative, and spiritual growth.
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On the other hand,
therapeutic art-making
can potentially involve relationships; however,
they don’t involve a traditional client/therapist relationship
, as the role of an instructor is different than that of a therapist. While the student/teacher relationship has different dynamics than a more traditional relationship. When it comes to art teachers, they will need to be both competent and skilled in all areas that they teach; however, they do not receive all of the same training that is required in order to practice as an art therapist.
INTERPRETATION OF ART
One other common difference between art therapy and therapeutic art-making is how the actual art product itself is viewed.
- In terms of art therapy, artwork will generally be viewed as either a reflection or extension of a part of the client.
Essentially acting as a mirror that reflects their general thoughts or feelings.
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Therapeutic art, on the other hand, tends to focus more on the product itself, with the overall goal being to create a specific piece of beautiful artwork. Oftentimes, the goal is to
create something that is interesting, beautiful, or visually appealing,
with students also wishing to either frame their creations or display them in some other fashion.
ART THERAPY BENEFITS
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You will be able to take advantage of having a safe and private place to express anything and everything that may be on your mind.
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As a result of self expression, you will be able to work through past traumas or experiences with a professional therapist.
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You will be a part of the therapeutic relationship, which is considered to be extremely unique.
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An art therapy session itself is able to offer an opportunity for both intentional discovery and self reflection.
THERAPEUTIC ART MAKING BENEFITS
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You will be able to learn all sorts of new skills, which can help to greatly increase your self esteem.
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You will be able to develop and increase your technical abilities, which you can use for your visual self expression.
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Social interaction will be able to be achieved, which can greatly help you with building relationships with other individuals taking part in the same class.
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As a result of self expression, you will be able to experience a feeling of catharsis
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You will have the chance to indirectly learn more about yourself.
Thank you for visiting the Art From The Streets blog, an Austin based nonprofit that
provides a safe and encouraging environment in which the positive spirit and creativity for those experiencing homelessness are nurtured through their own therapeutic art-making.
If you are looking to further discuss our program , please contact us today for more information.
Art for the Journey offers specialized certification training in partnership with Miami University-OH for people from across the USA. The OMA Facilitator training makes it possible for others to provide the best-practice program in places around the nation and beyond. Art for the Journey provides training and orientation sessions for volunteers in our our prison, veterans, and regular OMA programs, all of which are through partnerships with VCU Doctoral students completing their OT Capstone projects. OMA was developed by a gerontologist and is considered a national best practice in the engagement of older adults with dementia and Alzheimer’s. It has been described as a “non-pharmacologic therapeutic intervention”. Visit the Scripps OMA “Hybrid Training.” https://www.scrippsoma.org/hybrid-training-locations/#richmond-va
Art for the Journey has upcoming plans to partner with VCU in designing training for the children’s programs.
Art for the Journey’s overarching goals are to foster self-esteem and self-awareness, promote positive social skills, and set the stage for bringing about a sense of well-being, and even healing, through art-making within the context of a supportive community. Everyone benefits, our participants and our volunteers.
For those interested in traditional art therapy with the populations we serve, we invite you to view these articles:
Veterans: Healing Invisible Wounds: Art Therapy and PTSD
Children: Benefits of Expressive Art Therapy for Children and Child Art Therapy: How It Works
Older Adults: Aging: What’s Art Got To Do With It?
People Experiencing Incarceration: How Art is Transforming the US Prison System and The Importance of Art in Prisons .
Art making is a universal activity that we can do for novelty, exploration, relaxation, and creative expression. It can also be used as a method of psychotherapy where the art activity forms part of a treatment session.
Art as therapy has benefits that are purely driven by the act of creative expression while engaging in a relaxing activity. This is similar to watching a movie, taking a walk or reading a book. The act itself is therapeutic in that it transports us away from our daily stresses. During the activity, we may inadvertently experience emotional expression, understanding of ourselves, and moments of personal insight into problems, however, these outcomes are usually an unexpected by-product of the activity. In many cases, although, we experience these outcomes, we don’t know what to do with them once they surface.
Art therapy has the same benefits, however, as the art activity is made in session with a therapist, you are able to be guided on how to process these unexpected emotions and insights. An art therapist can help facilitate the process of identifying and processing difficult emotions that arise from an art making activity. An art therapist can also provide art directives that can help explore difficulties we are experiencing. Examples of these art directives can be seen in our previous case studies:
This is a general overview of how art therapy differs from art as therapy, however, for a more in-depth understanding, you can read our blog post What Happens in an Art Therapy Session.
There are many differences between art as therapy and art therapy, however, the crucial difference is the therapist who is able to develop a therapeutic alliance with the client.
The American Art Therapy Association defines art therapy as below:
“Through integrative methods, art therapy engages the mind, body, and spirit in ways that are distinct from verbal articulation alone. Kinesthetic, sensory, perceptual, and symbolic opportunities invite alternative modes of receptive and expressive communication, which can circumvent the limitations of language. Visual and symbolic expression gives voice to experience and empowers individual, communal, and societal transformation.”
The AATA further explains the purpose of the art therapist as:
“Honoring individuals’ values and beliefs, art therapists work with people who are challenged with medical and mental health problems, as well as individuals seeking emotional, creative, and spiritual growth.”
There is a big difference between art therapy and art in therapy. Some people might also refer to the latter as “art as therapy.” It may seem trivial, but adding one word to the phrase “art therapy” changes the meaning entirely. In order to educate and explain the differences, I’m here to break down some common misconceptions and hopefully provide clarification about the mental health field of art therapy.
In my personal and professional opinion, art therapy is beneficial for treating a wide variety of mental health concerns, but only if offered by a clinician specially trained in art therapy. I am a trained art therapist registered with the American Art Therapy Association, and I provide art therapy as my primary therapeutic service at Hearts for Hope Therapy in Greenville, South Carolina.
Maybe you’ve stumbled on this blog post out of curiosity, because you’ve already tried various ‘traditional’ forms of psychotherapy but are looking for something new. Maybe you have heard about art therapy, but don’t really know what it is. Regardless, this article will leave you with a more accurate depiction of what art therapy actually is, and why it’s important that you work with a trained art therapist in order to truly benefit from this specialized treatment modality.
What is Art Therapy?
Art therapy combines the creative process of making art with psychological theory and a therapeutic relationship. One of the most important aspects of art therapy, as with traditional psychotherapy, is the relationship between the client and the therapist.
According to the American Art Therapy Association: “Art therapy, facilitated by a professional art therapist, effectively supports personal and relational treatment goals as well as community concerns.” [1]
There needs to be a therapeutic relationship specifically between the client and a trained art therapist in order for it to be true art therapy. Many traditional therapists incorporate art in therapy because making art is inherently therapeutic.
However, if these therapists are not appropriately trained in art therapy, they lack the proper tools to support the client through the process of using art as a primary aspect of the therapeutic process. They don’t have the specialized knowledge or skills to recognize symbolism or engage in processing discussions of the artwork with the client after the art has been made.
It is common for clients to experience catharsis or have intense emotions brought to the surface during the art-making process in an art therapy session. An art therapist has been formally trained to know how to safely support the client through this process, whereas a traditional therapist has not.
Another distinction worth mentioning is how art therapy differs from an art class, which focuses on technique, talent and aesthetics. Instead, art therapy is about the process of making art and is accessible to all levels of ability. [2] Art therapy provides clients with creative tools in which they make new discoveries about themselves and work through past traumas, emotions and memories. All of this is done with an art therapist.
Art therapist Linda Turner says, “there are many different approaches to art therapy and there is really no right or wrong approach. While some may use paint and guided meditation, others may use collages to put together meaningful words and images on a singular page. Art therapy is simply a way to tap into the mind with a more indirect, creative approach.” [3]
I agree that there are many ways to use art therapy and there is no one right way, nor is there a ‘one size fits all’ approach. However, I want to make it clear that there is a wrong way to use art in therapy if you are not trained, and it can even be dangerous.
I’ve heard nerve-wracking stories of therapists using art in therapy with their clients. While I am sure these therapists had good intentions, the clients were left unintentionally re-traumatized by the intensity of uncomfortable emotions that arose from the art activity prompt. The art exposed traumatic memories and the therapist was not equipped with how to safely guide and support the client through that experience.
What is the Difference Between Art Therapy and Art in Therapy?
According to Art Therapy Resources in Australia, “…as the art activity is made in session with a therapist, you are able to be guided on how to process these unexpected emotions and insights. An art therapist can help facilitate the process of identifying and processing difficult emotions that arise from an art making activity. An art therapist can also provide art directives that can help explore difficulties we are experiencing.” [4]
I use a combination of directive and non-directive prompts when practicing art therapy at Hearts for Hope Therapy. Directives are specific prompts that drive the art therapy session and intentionally support the client’s individualized treatment goals. Some directive interventions are things like creating a mandala. A mandala is a Sanskrit word for “sacred circle.” I often combine mandala directives with guided meditation, breathing exercises, and mindful movement. This is a powerful tool that promotes calmness, clarity, and insightful reflection for my clients in both mind and body.
Other examples of art directives I commonly use are geared towards treatment of specific issues and are supported by research. They intentionally draw out powerful metaphors that produce profound insight. If someone is feeling lost, stuck, or is moving through a big change or life transition, I might use a ‘bridge drawing’ art directive.
Similarly, I like to use the directive of a ‘road drawing,’ which is especially helpful for people I work with that have substance use disorders. It helps my clients feel confident in recognizing motivations, potential ‘roadblocks,’ and how to take actionable steps forward in their recovery process. According to art therapist Michael Hanes, “road drawings appear to help clients gain insight into a path of recovery and provide a metaphor for their capacity for change.” [5]
When a non-art therapist uses art in therapy, they might have the client color, draw, or paint. Sometimes therapists misuse these activities and attempt to decipher the meaning behind the art that the client made, which is often disrespectful to the client.
Other times, they may use an art therapy directive that they learned about in a textbook or an online resource. I would never suggest that a mental health clinician who isn’t a trained art therapist use art therapy directives that they read about. They don’t have the tools or appropriate experience to properly process the imagery and might misinterpret or misguide the client.
Making art is calming and cathartic. This is one of the reasons why I don’t always offer a directive. Free-form painting empowers my clients to express however they’re feeling at that moment. Intuitive process painting is a great way to uncover emotions and thoughts, and allow us to recognize and develop a new relationship with our own inner critic.
If you were my client in a non-directive art therapy session, I still facilitate the art-making interventions, but you decide the direction of the art, and together we discuss whatever comes up. It’s always important for me to provide multiple options of art materials, so you have the choice to experiment with new forms of creative expression.
Different art materials allow for different therapeutic experiences and have specific benefits for working through various mental health concerns. Art therapists are well-trained in using different art mediums as intentional tools in art therapy through the Expressive Therapies Continuum.
Most non-art therapists who use art in therapy are well-intentioned. They know that making art is therapeutic. I often see therapists offer coloring or a craft activity in a therapy session to help clients relax, which I think is wonderful! However, this is not art therapy. Claiming it as such adds to the insurmountable misconceptions about art therapy, and is quite honestly a little demeaning to the profession of art therapy.
One more thing that is worth pointing out is that adult coloring books or coloring pre-drawn mandalas do not adequately count as art therapy. Your coloring book can certainly help you relax or work through anxiety, but your coloring book is not your therapist.
Sometimes non-art therapists use these in their sessions, which is perfectly wonderful and likely brings a lot of joy and creativity into the therapy room! However, there is a big difference between coloring a mandala and creating one with your art therapist. I am not by any means throwing shade on coloring books; I use them regularly in my own free time and they certainly do have benefits. But, let’s agree to stop calling them art therapy workbooks, okay?
What Are the Benefits of Art Therapy?
There are so many wonderful benefits to art therapy! According to the American Art Therapy Association, “Art therapy is used to improve cognitive and sensorimotor functions, foster self-esteem and self-awareness, cultivate emotional resilience, promote insight, enhance social skills, reduce and resolve conflicts and distress, and advance societal and ecological change.” [1]
Beyond cognitive and emotional benefits, art therapy research shows that there are physical benefits, too. These include reduced physical pain and reduced stress. [6] We know that stress is held in the body and there are many physical stress responses, so we’ll consider reduced stress as a physical and psychological benefit.
Practicing Art Therapy at Hearts for Hope Therapy
Art therapy should only be practiced by therapists who are appropriately trained in art therapy. Art teachers are not art therapists. Non-art therapists who use art in therapy are not able to properly or ethically offer art therapy services.
If you’re a mental health professional reading this and you’re working with clients who enjoy creativity or have challenges with verbal expression, please consider referring them out to a registered art therapist. Art therapists undergo years of specialized training at a Master’s level and are uniquely equipped to treat a variety of mental, emotional, or even physiological concerns.
If you’d like to learn more about how art therapy can specifically help you, reach out to me for a free consultation at Hearts for Hope Therapy in Greenville, SC. I look forward to connecting with you through the power of art!
References
[1]https://arttherapy.org/
[2]https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/news/story/5348/the-benefits-of-art-therapy.aspx
[3]https://blogs.baruch.cuny.edu/multimediareporting2016/?p=539
[4]https://arttherapyresources.com.au/art-as-therapy/
[5]https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07421656.2017.1394124
[6]https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/the_benefits_art_therapy_can_have_on_mental_and_physical_health
