How Creative Expression Helps Reduce Stress and Anxiety
Art therapy provides individuals with a creative outlet to express their emotions and thoughts in a nonverbal way, making it especially beneficial for those who may struggle to communicate their feelings verbally. By engaging in art therapy, individuals can gain insight into their inner thoughts and experiences, leading to a greater sense of self-awareness and self-acceptance. This process can help improve overall mental health and well-being by providing a safe and therapeutic space for individuals to explore and process their emotions.
What Is Art Therapy?
The use of artistic methods to treat psychological disorders and enhance mental health is known as art therapy. Art therapy is a technique rooted in the idea that creative expression can foster healing and mental well-being.
Doctors noted that individuals living with mental illness often expressed themselves in drawings and other artworks, which led many to explore the use of art as a healing strategy.3 Since then, art has become an important part of the therapeutic field and is used in some assessment and treatment techniques.
Written by: Kendra Cherry
Visit VeryWell Mind to Learn More
Types of Creative Therapies
What Is Art Therapy?
Art therapy is not the only type of creative art used in the treatment of mental illness. Other types of creative therapies include:
- Dance therapy
- Drama therapy
- Expressive therapy
- Music therapy
- Writing therapy
Written by: Kendra Cherry
Visit VeryWell Mind to Learn More
What Art Therapy Can Help With
What Is Art Therapy?
Art therapy can be used to treat a wide range of mental disorders and psychological distress. In many cases, it might be used in conjunction with other psychotherapy techniques such as group therapy or cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
Written by: Kendra Cherry
Visit VeryWell Mind to Learn MoreBenefits of Art Therapy
What Is Art Therapy?
According to a 2016 study published in the Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, less than an hour of creative activity can reduce your stress and have a positive effect on your mental health, regardless of artistic experience or talent.
Clients who have experienced emotional trauma, physical violence, domestic abuse, anxiety, depression, and other psychological issues can benefit from expressing themselves creatively.
Some situations in which art therapy might be utilized include:
- Adults experiencing severe stress
- Children experiencing behavioral or social problems at school or at home
- Children or adults who have experienced a traumatic event
- Children with learning disabilities
- Individuals living with a brain injury
- People experiencing mental health problems
Written by: Kendra Cherry
Visit VeryWell Mind to Learn MoreThings to Consider
What Is Art Therapy?
- You Don't Have to Be Artistic
- It's Not the Same as an Art Class
- Art Therapy Can Take Place in a Variety of Settings
- Art Therapy Is Not for Everyone
Written by: Kendra Cherry
Visit VeryWell Mind to Learn More
How to Get Started
What Is Art Therapy?
If you think you or someone you love would benefit from art therapy, consider the following steps:
- Seek out a trained professional
- Call your health insurance
- Ask about their specialty
- Know what to expect
- Be prepared to answer questions about your art-making process
Written by: Kendra Cherry
Visit VeryWell Mind to Learn MoreTechniques
What Is Art Therapy?
The goal of art therapy is to utilize the creative process to help people explore self-expression and, in doing so, find new ways to gain personal insight and develop new coping skills.
Techniques used in art therapy can include:
- Collage
- Coloring
- Doodling and scribbling
- Drawing
- Finger painting
- Painting
- Photography
- Sculpting
- Working with clay
Written by: Kendra Cherry
Visit VeryWell Mind to Learn MoreWhat Art Therapy Can Help With
What Is Art Therapy?
Some conditions that art therapy may be used to treat include:
- Aging-related issues
- Anxiety
- Cancer
- Depression
- Eating disorders
- Emotional difficulties
- Family or relationship problems
- Medical conditions
- Psychological symptoms associated with other medical issues
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Psychosocial issues
- Stress
- Substance use disorder
Written by: Kendra Cherry
Visit VeryWell Mind to Learn More
Effectiveness
What Is Art Therapy?
- In studies of adults who experienced trauma, art therapy was found to significantly reduce trauma symptoms and decrease levels of depression.
- One review of the effectiveness of art therapy found that this technique helped patients undergoing medical treatment for cancer improve their quality of life and alleviated a variety of psychological symptoms.
- One study found that art therapy reduced depression and increased self-esteem in older adults living in nursing homes.
Written by: Kendra Cherry
Visit VeryWell Mind to Learn More100 Art Therapy Exercises
Here is a popular internet list of art therapy activities originally posted up in 2011 by the Nursing School Blog.
- Emotions : Deal with emotions like anger and sadness through these helpful exercises.
- Relaxation: Art therapy can be a great way to relax. Consider these exercises if you're looking to feel a little more laid back.
- Happiness: Art can not only help you deal with the bad stuff, but also help you appreciate and focus on the good. Check out these activities all about reflecting on your personal happiness.
- Portraits: Often, a great way to get to know yourself and your relationships with others is through portraits.
- Trauma and Loss: These activities will ask you to face some unpleasant aspects of life, but with the goal of overcoming them.
- Collaging: If you prefer to cut and paste rather than draw or paint, these projects are for you.
- Self: Examine aspects if who you are and how you see the world through these art projects.
- Gratitude: Here you'll find a collection of projects that will help you be happy about what you have and express your gratitude for it.
- Inside the Mind: Take a look inside your mind to see what's going on with these projects.
- Miscellaneous: If you're still looking for something to empower, help or soothe you, these projects may fit the bill.
Written by: Shelley Klammer
Visit Shelley Klammer Expresive Art Inspirations to Learn More