Art therapists are experts, trained formally in both art and therapy. They have also learned the essentials of human development and psychology before receiving a Master’s Degree in this specialty to start professional practice.
There is a unique set requirement for someone to become an art therapist. As art therapy is now used a springboard for assessment and treatment of clients in various conditions in serious illnesses, therapists need to have essential academic qualifications and license to practice.
Art therapists usually work with people of different ages, creeds, professions, etc. Apart from individuals, they work with couples, family, teams/groups, or other social entities. Sometimes, many types of art therapists may also work together in the form of a clinical team.
Art therapists are skilled and experienced in picking the cues, metaphors, and nonverbal symbols from the artistic expression of individuals to understand their emotional state. Sometimes, the feelings and emotions are difficult to express using words, where art therapy can be an apt medium of expression. Through this visualization process, individuals start to see the effects of this therapeutic method and how discoveries are made.
Benefits to the clients
You may have noticed it by yourself as to how doodling something may have relaxed you at a hectic environment. Sometimes, the same effect is created with music or drawing something after a hectic day. So, if done properly, all these art forms can have a therapeutic effect.
If you see a skilled art therapy professional, he or she can help to interpret your actual feelings and emotions, which get reflected in your design or the piece of music you produce. This can also further be extended to help resolve your problems. Studies have shown that creative art forms like singing, coloring, to even digital art forms everything have tremendous benefits.
Expressive art therapy has grown to a large extent over time. As explained at http://macfineart.com/art-therapy/, every form of creative art is now used as a form of therapy, which does wonders in people’s life. Apart from helping an individual to explore and express themselves, art therapy also helps control emotions, get rid of addictions, and also to enhance confidence and self-esteem.
Other major beneficiaries of art therapy are children. We can see that music, drawing, painting, etc. are naturally their favorite activity. So, art therapy based on these will help children with developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, and other emotional or mental disturbances. Art therapy is ideal for all sort of people of any age.
A form of art therapies
The major expressions of art therapy can be music, art, and dance, etc.
- Music therapy may include a mix of singing, playing a variety of musical instruments, listening to music, etc.
- Art therapy may be a fine mix of doodling, drawing, painting, sculpting or anything you can find artistic. This now includes digital arts also.
- Dance therapy is in the form of movements and dance, which is also found effective as various types of endorphins also get released in the body when you dance.
Apart from these, there are various other activities too people love to do, which comes under the categorization of art to be considered in therapeutic format.
Besides helping an individual to enhance their emotional state, art therapy is also used in the treatment of general illness in combination with other treatments. Apart therapy is found to be effective in cancer treatment and also to reduce withdrawal symptoms in drug addicts etc. As an art form like dance or music is powerful, it can help to relieve anger, stress, or grief, etc. Someone who is undergoing therapy to gain some relief from any disasters in life may also be an ideal candidate for art therapy.
Source: Visit http://macfineart.com/art-therapy/ for art therapy services.
