VIDEO INTERVIEW WITH AN ART THERAPIST

WHAT IS ART THERAPY?

Art therapy activities involve a creative process of art-making to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages. For this reason, it is an excellent stress management tool.

It is based on the belief that the creative process, involved in artistic self-expression helps people resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve insight. The list of possible art therapy activities is endless.

Source: American Art Therapy Association (A.A.T.A.)

See also: Canadian Art Therapy Association (C.A.T.A.)

HOW DOES ART THERAPY HELP?

• Art therapy simplifies the therapy and healing processes.
• Art therapy allows spontaneous art expression.
• Art therapy is non-judgmental and non-critical.
• Art therapy activities allow free articulation of repressed emotions.
• Art therapy allows expression without the threat of repercussions.
• Art therapy activities allow for undisclosed feelings to be externalized.
• Art therapy can be useful as a primary or secondary healing tool.
• Art therapy encourages the use of the creative side of the brain.

Source: Adapted from Wikipedia.

ART THERAPY AT THE MAYO CLINIC

10 ART THERAPY ACTIVITIES YOU CAN TRY AT HOME

1. Deal with anger and sadness by drawing, painting, sculpting or crafting what you’re feeling.
2. Let your creativity flow in response to music to let out feelings and just relax.
3. Think about what makes a perfect day and then draw, paint, sculpt or craft it. Make one of the things happen.
4. Draw or paint your self-portrait reflecting where you see yourself in the future.
5. Work on overcoming some of the unpleasant aspects of your life by drawing, painting, sculpting or crafting a place where you feel safe.
6. Create a motivational collage and view it daily to help keep you moving forward. Use magazine cut-outs or print and cut out images from Google Images or Pinterest, etc.
7. Creating drawings of your good traits to help you to become more positive. Look at the pictures often.
8. Document your gratitude visually. Paint or collage a work that represents these things.
9. Create a blot art. Fold the paper in half with paint or ink in the middle and describe what you see when you unfold it.
10. Collect and use natural materials to get in touch with the more primal side of your personality. Using the materials, draw, paint, sculpt or craft your feelings or imaginings.

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