What is Art Therapy?
Whether you fancy yourself as a bit of a Picasso or you struggle to draw a stick figure, art therapy is a fantastic tool for your mental health.
In fact, some studies suggest that art therapy can be a useful practice for treating some mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, PTSD and even some phobias.
So what is art therapy anyway? And what are the benefits you can experience when you practice art therapy regularly? Read on to find out.
What is art therapy?
In its essence, art therapy is about allowing yourself to express your feelings through the act of creation.
What it’s NOT about is creating a stunning ‘work of art’. Of course, if your piece happens to turn out well that’s fabulous! But that’s not the point of art therapy.
Another way to define art therapy is applying visual arts in a therapeutic context. This doesn’t mean you need to work with an art therapist. You can experience many of the therapeutic benefits of art therapy on your own at home.
You can try things like art journaling, drawing, painting, sculpting with clay or even simply making a collage. The medium doesn’t matter, what matters is finding comfort in expression through whichever medium you choose.
That being said, working with an art therapist also has its own advantages. A professional can help to tailor the art therapy activities to your particular needs. You can also attend group art therapy sessions which can assist in fostering healthy connections with other people. This can be particularly helpful if you’re currently fighting depression.
The most important thing to remember is that you should only try art therapy if you feel called to. The process of releasing your emotions through art can be both revealing and painful. If you don’t feel ready for it, that’s ok.
