Art Therapy- A fun way to get rid of Mental Illness

Art therapy is a therapeutic technique that is considered as an idea of creative expression that can heal in stress conditions. Art is either the process of creating it or viewing others' artworks both can be used to help people explore their emotions, develop self-awareness, cope with anxiety, boost one's self, and work on various social skills. It may surprise you to find out that art can be an effective tool in the treatment of mental health.

The main theme of art therapy is to utilize people's inner creativity to help them to explore self-expression and, in doing this, find new ways to know about their insight and develop new coping skills.

Techniques used in Art Therapy

Techniques that are used in art therapy include drawing, painting, coloring, sculpting, calligraphy or collage. This is also helpful in finding out what is going on in a person's mind. As clients create art, they may focus on what they have made and how it makes them feel. Through exploring their art, people can look for various unique themes and conflicts that may be affecting their thoughts, emotions, routines and normal life behaviors.

People do not need to have any special artistic talent to participate in art therapy, and people of all ages including children, teens, and adults can take part in art therapy and can gain advantage from this. Little research suggests that just the presence of art can play an important part in boosting one's mental health.

Importance of Art Therapy

Art therapy can be used to treat a wide range of mental disorders and can bring relief from stress. In many cases, it can also be used with many other psychotherapy techniques such as group therapy, etc

Some situations in which art therapy might be a useful tool includes:

• Children with learning disabilities

• People experiencing hard times

• Children suffering from some behavioral or social problems at school or at home

• People suffering from mental health problems

• Individuals suffering from a brain injury

• Children or adults who have experienced a traumatic situation

Treatments from Art Therapy

Some other common conditions that art therapy may be used to treat include:

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Cancer

• Medical conditions

• Aging-related issues

• PTSD

• Emotional difficulties

• Eating disorders

• Drug Use

• Family or relationship problems

• Psycho-social issues

• Stress

Working Methods

An art therapist may use a variety of art methods of your own choice including drawing, painting, sculpture, calligraphy, and collage with clients ranging from young/ teen children to the elderly. Clients who have experienced some kind of emotional trauma, physical violence, domestic violence, anxiety, depression, and other psychological issues can benefit from expressing themselves creatively. 

Some private health offices or inpatient offices, schools, and some community organizations are all possible best places where art therapy services are made available. 

Some specific common places where art therapy might take place include:

• Hospitals

• Wellness center

• Correctional facilities

• Various community centers

• Therapy offices

• Senior centers

• Art studios

• Women's or homeless shelters

• Elementary schools or high schools

• Colleges and universities

• Residential treatment centers

• Group homes

Benefits of Art Therapy

People might wonder what is the difference between an art class and art therapy. So, it answers that in an art class an individual mainly focuses on the formation of a specified finished product whereas art therapy is more about letting clients focus on their inner experience and inner feelings.  In creating art pieces, people can focus on their thoughts, imaginations, and feelings. Clients are encouraged to create a piece of art that expresses their inner world more than making something that is the reflection of the outer world.

Limitations

While research suggests that art therapy may provide many advantages, some of the findings on its effectiveness are also complex. Studies are often small and inconclusive, so further proper research is needed to find out how and when art therapy may be most beneficial for an individual. 

Requirements

Minimum Requirement to become an art therapist is a master's degree in art therapy or counseling field with additional certifications in art therapy. Psychologists with art therapy certifications can also help people in doing so

Summarizing all, if one is feeling stress or is passing through hard times i.e anxiety, panic attacks or depression then art therapy is its one fun solution to get relieved from every kind of stress. One will stay busy in creating his/her final product and will forget worries.