Art therapy: psychological therapy through art

Among the various therapy techniques, art therapy is gaining ground.

It may surprise you to know that art is a very effective therapeutic tool for the treatment of pathologies associated with mental health and well-being. It is a new discipline that aims to promote certain healthy habits, both psychologically and socially, through artistic expression. But how does art therapy work? how does art therapy work?

This type of therapy is used as a means of expression, and can help patients communicate, reduce stress and overcome emotional problems.

Art therapy: what is it?

Art therapy is a form of expressive therapy that uses the creative process of art to improve a patient's physical and psychological well-being.

The expression of one's emotions through art can help resolve past problems and can help improve self-knowledge, self-esteem, emotional control, reduce stress and anxiety, improve awareness, attention or creativity.

In order for someone to benefit from the positive aspects of art therapy, it is not necessary for them to be a talented artist, since the goal of this type of therapy is to improve well-being and quality of life.

Who benefits from it?

Art therapy works with patients suffering from mental disorders, for the rehabilitation of prisoners, for educating young people, for improving the well-being of healthy people, etc.

It is used with individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from war, sexual abuse or natural disasters; with individuals suffering from physical illnesses such as cancer; with individuals suffering from autism, dementia or Alzheimer's disease, depression and other psychological disorders.

With art therapy, patients resolve psychological conflicts, improve social and communication skills and control problematic behaviors while enjoying a pleasant and minimally invasive therapy.

Origin of this type of therapy

While human beings have been using art to express themselves and communicate for centuries, art therapy only began to form art therapy only began to be formalized in the 1920s..

Around that time, health professionals realized that patients suffering from mental disorders often expressed themselves through painting or other artistic forms, which led to the exploration of the uses of art as a therapeutic strategy.

How does an art therapist work?

Art therapists who have a specialized postgraduate degree in Art Therapy. This profession falls within the care professions. Thus, art therapy combines two areas, psychology and the arts. arts. Psychology provides knowledge of the human mind and behavior, its processes and development.

Knowledge about art is important because the art therapist uses different media and techniques to work with his patients (painting, drawing, drama, photography, sculpture, etc.).

The benefits of art therapy

After reviewing the most important aspects of art therapy, the following is a general summary of the benefits of art therapy. benefits of art therapy:

• It allows the person to express their feelings, thoughts and emotions, thus acting as a way of liberation.
• It is an effective way to help those people who have difficulty expressing themselves and communicating.
• It promotes emotional self-awareness and behavioral regulation.
• It is useful in areas such as rehabilitation, education and mental health.
• It helps to improve quality of life.
• It is very effective with people who suffer from sensory, physical, motor or social adaptation problems.
• It is useful to use with people with Down Syndrome, Alzheimer's and Autism.
• It works with children and adolescents suffering from learning disabilities.
• It can be used for the treatment of phobias.
• It reduces stress and anxiety.
• Helps to improve the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
• It is very effective in eating disorders and body image.
• It is effectively used to treat addictions.
• It strengthens self-esteem and helps patients suffering from depression.
• It has been shown to be effective in helping patients with terminal illnesses.

In general, art therapy allows us to give meaning to a highly stimulating task that a highly stimulating task that is also very creative.. At the same time, it offers a way to express feelings and points of view that would otherwise be reserved to the individual, sometimes generating frustration.