Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy based on the process of creating visual images through drawing, painting, sculpting, and the use of other art materials. In art therapy, emotions and thoughts are expressed symbolically through the creation of personal imagery. Art bypasses verbal defenses and limitations, allowing for insight to occur in a non-threatening way. The art produced can be reflected upon, and with guidance from the art therapist, one can explore the meaning of the images and work through areas of conflict and distress.
All behavior has meaning. It is a way of communicating feelings and needs.
So called problem behavior is one way a child expresses conflict, which are difficult to conceptualize and verbalize. A child can channel and give conceptual form to negative feelings and behaviors through working with art materials. The clarification and responses of an art therapist facilitates the child’s awareness of patterns, intentions, and the meaning of behavior.
HOW DOES IT CHANGE BEHAVIOR?
WHAT IS ART THERAPY?
ART THERAPY FOR CHILDREN & ADOLESCENTS
Sometimes feelings and conflicts are too threatening for a child to face directly.
These can be externalized and safely resolved by the use of visual or graphic images. With the art materials a child releasees, discovers and clarifies feelings and fantasies.
Art therapy can help children learn more about themselves and to raise self-confidence.
Art therapy is also a means of helping young people who are experiencing emotional or behavioral problems.
In addition, it can be beneficial in the treatment of the particular difficulties caused
by learning disabilities, giftedness, physical and developmental handicaps.Art therapy taps the creative potential in each child and provides a way of exploring difficulties in
a manner which is not threatening or intrusive. It is applicable to preschool, elementary and high-school aged children and where desired, to family groups.
People of all ages, in particular those who have difficulty identifying feelings or expressing themselves verbally can benefit from art therapy. Art therapy can be effective for a number of medical conditions, as well as those with mental illness,
and applied to the treatment of a variety of issues such as childhood trauma, women’s issues, life changes, eating disorders, professional stress, depression, and bereavement.
therapeutic Counseling services