Misconceptions about Art Therapy:
1. It’s just arts and crafts.
No, in fact Art therapy is so much more..... Art therapy is an evidence based, therapeutic modality that is proven to be effective in supporting mental health.
Benefits arise from the process of making art, and the personal interpretation of the art by the individual.
The work done in these sessions has the potential to challenge and arouse difficult feelings in the participants, along with providing insights, awareness, meaning making and healing.
2. The Finished Art is "Analyzed" by the Art Therapist.
This is a great question! ~No I do not analyze the completed art.
I look at it from the perspective that if I were to judge, make assumptions, place meaning upon a client's artwork by analyzing the work, then I would be silencing the client's artistic voice and may influence what their own interpretations may be.
Art-making serves as part of a dialogue in the aspect that the art can function as the voice, or even a third party, in the therapeutic conversation.
While an art therapist might help you better understand what’s in your art, we cannot presume or project our own thoughts and experiences onto your work.
3. Isn't adult coloring books a form of art therapy?
Almost, but not quite.
Coloring books have boomed in recent years—so much so that colored pencil production has upped the ante to keep pace.
While coloring in premade designs can be self-soothing and have therapeutic effects, it’s not art therapy.
Art therapy is art making through the use and exploration of a wide range of art materials and processes, chosen to support meaning making, awareness, insights and healing.
However, this isn’t to say that calming art activities shouldn't be explored as tools for emotional self-regulating. If an adult coloring book helps regulate your emotions, color away!
4. You need to be an artist or at least good at art.
NOT TRUE!
As a visual language, art therapy need not be “good” or “well done” in the eyes of others to be effective.
The truth of the matter is that you do not need to even use what may be considered as professional art supplies! Found objects, objects from nature, anything that can be constructed or deconstructed or has mark making potential, are all viable options for creating in the therapeutic process of art therapy.
5. Art therapy is only for children or the elderly.
IT IS SUITABLE FOR EVERYONE! Art therapy can be effective for most ages or populations.
In fact, art is one of my favorite things to bring to family therapy, as it has the ability to level the playing field.
Persons of all ages can use the same “language” and often the same skills to interact and communicate.
Art is a universal language accessible to all of us.
1. It’s just arts and crafts.
No, in fact Art therapy is so much more..... Art therapy is an evidence based, therapeutic modality that is proven to be effective in supporting mental health.
Benefits arise from the process of making art, and the personal interpretation of the art by the individual.
The work done in these sessions has the potential to challenge and arouse difficult feelings in the participants, along with providing insights, awareness, meaning making and healing.
2. The Finished Art is "Analyzed" by the Art Therapist.
This is a great question! ~No I do not analyze the completed art.
I look at it from the perspective that if I were to judge, make assumptions, place meaning upon a client's artwork by analyzing the work, then I would be silencing the client's artistic voice and may influence what their own interpretations may be.
Art-making serves as part of a dialogue in the aspect that the art can function as the voice, or even a third party, in the therapeutic conversation.
While an art therapist might help you better understand what’s in your art, we cannot presume or project our own thoughts and experiences onto your work.
3. Isn't adult coloring books a form of art therapy?
Almost, but not quite.
Coloring books have boomed in recent years—so much so that colored pencil production has upped the ante to keep pace.
While coloring in premade designs can be self-soothing and have therapeutic effects, it’s not art therapy.
Art therapy is art making through the use and exploration of a wide range of art materials and processes, chosen to support meaning making, awareness, insights and healing.
However, this isn’t to say that calming art activities shouldn't be explored as tools for emotional self-regulating. If an adult coloring book helps regulate your emotions, color away!
4. You need to be an artist or at least good at art.
NOT TRUE!
As a visual language, art therapy need not be “good” or “well done” in the eyes of others to be effective.
The truth of the matter is that you do not need to even use what may be considered as professional art supplies! Found objects, objects from nature, anything that can be constructed or deconstructed or has mark making potential, are all viable options for creating in the therapeutic process of art therapy.
5. Art therapy is only for children or the elderly.
IT IS SUITABLE FOR EVERYONE! Art therapy can be effective for most ages or populations.
In fact, art is one of my favorite things to bring to family therapy, as it has the ability to level the playing field.
Persons of all ages can use the same “language” and often the same skills to interact and communicate.
Art is a universal language accessible to all of us.