2.
What the Heck is Art Therapy?
It is definitely different than your normal "talk therapy."
We all have our own challenges with growing up and doing art. Sometimes we were told that we weren't "Good enough" at creating.
From my perspective, we all are creative beings and need to express ourselves in whatever way feels natural. For some, it might be art, dancing, acting, music, writing, or even doing math.
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So when it comes to engaging in art making in session, it has the ability to put feelings on paper- which we get to look at those feelings in a new way, a safer way. Those feelings get to emerge outside of us and we get to reflect in a new way.
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Art therapy is a mental health profession that uses the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages. It is based on the belief that the creative process involved in artistic self-expression helps people to resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve insight.
- American Art Therapy Association