Why I Believe in Art Therapy & its Benefits
Behind the colouring craze that has hit the UK like a storm, is a long history of the benefits of art therapy. It goes beyond the colouring and having become more formalised in the 20th century now stands as an effective tool to combat mental health problems and promote therapy for other conditions as well as general wellbeing.
For those who find it hard to articulate how they are feeling it offers them a voice and expression that is essential to enable the therapy to develop and continue on a long term basis. There is no pressure to talk but rather to 'talk' through the art and work alongside the therapist to explore the emotions that come through interpretation of the art created.
There are so many different mediums within one therapy that gives a large toolbox to both practitioners and patients in trying to make it a personalised and effective therapy for so many. Here at Time To Heal and like so many others, the fact that on one level this medium of therapy can be conducted on a personal level, at home for mild sufferers or just for stimulation and relaxation.
But on the other hand it can also be accessed by a qualified art therapist for those with more long term and more severe cases of mental health. The variety of mediums covers colouring, drawing, painting, pottery, sculpture and many more art forums meaning there is something for everyone to try. It may just take time to work out which is suited and then to begin the therapy.
It is vital that art therapists think beyond what their own art strengths are and be professionally aware that they may not always be a match with clients. Of course there are bound to be a percentage of people who have no interest in any of the art forms available, in which case it is vital that the practitioner is open minded and can suggest something else for the individual to try with some research needed on other therapies that may need to be explored instead.
For us art therapy at home led by our own instincts are helpful alongside psychology sessions, crafts and brain training which we build into our days and they support our medication and psychology therapy.
We strongly believe that by using art, individuals can use art therapy to express emotions, fears, previous experiences and allow self expression in a way that can be continued long term once therapy sessions are completed. This can then be utilised in a personal setting and moulded into the plans for the day or a weekly session at home if time is difficult to find.
Commitment to continue the therapy, even on a smaller scale is vital to the maintenance of achievement and well being. In summary, words can be hard to find and explain yet the way in which a picture is coloured, a sculpture is moulded or a piece of pottery made, can prove a powerful tool for expression of stress reduction, emotional healing and a sense of achievement.
Want to give it a go? Look at hobbies you may have done in the past and see if you can find a pathway to follow that in a different way. Browse through Pinterest and see what you can find there.
Finally, please send us details of anything that helps you so that we can pass the message on.
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