mardi 17 juin 2014

An Introduction To The Work Of An Art Therapist

By Ina Hunt


There are numerous types of therapy. Some may be more effective than others. What one person may respond to another may not appreciate. Therefore it helps to consider another approach. One type of therapy you may not have considered is using the services of an art therapist.

For decades therapists have known there is often a connection between the creative work and the individual. Often this creativity works on a level that is deeper than the person may be able to verbally express. Over time therapists began to realise that the symbols used in creative work by patients were often symptomatic of their own subconscious concerns.

Over time therapists began to use this to their advantage, using the creativity of the patient to get a deeper understanding. However it was not until the middle of the twentieth century that art therapy began to be recognised as a treatment in and of itself. More recently people have begun to realise the benefits of getting patients to express themselves.

In effect the idea is that anyone being treated has an equal chance of receiving a positive benefit from the treatment. It may be applied in different ways such as part of their rehabilitation or as a form of psychotherapy. However the act itself is often enough to get people thinking beyond what they would normally talk about with their friends, family and even sometimes illustrate more than they would be able to discuss verbally with a therapist.

With art therapy it is possible to get people to open up through creative work. Whether it is through painting, sculpture or some other form of art it is possible for a patient to focus on the creative work rather than having to verbalise it. Indeed in a lot of cases the very act of creativity itself can release stress and be therapeutic.

It is important to emphasise that the end product is not the issue. Anyone making something does not necessarily need to be a brilliant artist in order to produce an artwork that a therapist can interpret. However the therapist will need to have sufficient art qualifications in order to ensure the work is properly supervised.

It should also be said that this may also be combined with other treatments. Often this is an effective way of getting previously reticent people to be more in touch with their emotions and better able to express them. This is often due to the fact that the creative project allows more objective perspective from their emotional issues. Over time this can mean a change in both perception and behaviour.

You can find numerous therapists online. It is vital to check that they have the appropriate qualifications and experience. In some cases they may also be part of a wider medical or mental health team. Use your regular search engine to find out background information as well as getting feedback from people who have used these services in the past. With the right approach you or someone that you care for will be able to get the full benefit from this kind of treatment.




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