Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy which uses visual art as the main medium for expression. The art therapist”s role is to help clients to access their feelings and thoughts through art expression whether it be through painting, drawing, collage, sculpting, or other visual arts such as crafts.  In art therapy the client is guided to explore their art either non-verbally or verbally to gain a sense of understanding of ones self and move toward resolution of inner conflicts.  Art making becomes an expression of self, a way of transforming views of one’s self and the world around, shifting perspective and healing wounds.

Most people can benefit from the unique approach of art therapy which encourages creative expression and reflection of self through art. You do not need to be an artist or proficient in working with any particular art materials. We are all creative beings with an ability to express ourselves through art.  The art can connect us to our understanding of self and whatever situation we may be struggling with in a way that words sometimes cannot. Because we are using a different part of our brain, for some a less familiar part, we can bypass censors that may impede our progress at exploring difficult issues.

Adults can sometimes get stuck I their head intellectualizing their situation and avoiding emotions.  The art can help them move out of their heads and into their whole body, connecting with self on a different level. Children often have difficulty expressing themselves fully verbally. Using art for expression is often a more accessible and safer way for children to express their emotions especially if they are feeling vulnerable due to trauma or a difficult life situation.

I believe we are all born creative beings. The problem is that at some point or another this creativity is squashed  and we are turned off of creating. Many of us are given messages that we are not “good enough” in artistic expression and we begin to ignore our urges to create because we have bought into the belief that are is reserved for the “talented” and “skilled” artist, forgetting that art is a form of self-expression and historically something that has been an important part of most cultures. Sometimes we avoid dabbling in the visual arts. Sometimes it’s music we steer clear of.  For others it may be creative writing or poetry that has been given-up.  Regardless there is an inner potential to create in any of these modalities. Chances are if you don’t “like” art making it may be that your creative desires were once stifled, causing you to avoid it at all costs and perhaps even not like it.  So, while liking art may make art therapy more appealing to most, I believe art therapy can help rekindle any loss of love for art making with its unique approach to art making.

Expressing one’s self through art is a powerful way of connecting with your inner wisdom and as I mentioned before, bypassing censors that may stop you from exploring sensitive subjects.  Because art expression relies in part on symbolic expression, feelings and thoughts can be safely expressed without full conscious exposure.  Only the artist/client knows the true meaning of her art. Meaning can come out slowly, when the client is ready.  Often, expressing internal conflict through the art does not need verbal explanation in order for there to be a benefit.  Being verbal is only one aspect of our self-expression. Expression through the arts can allow for a more emotionally laden connection.  The other benefit is that the client is the creator of solutions, in some cases literally transforming once difficult  feelings into objects for reflection and a change in perspective.