What is the difference between an artist and an art therapist?
An art therapist is trained both in fine art and in psychology. Art therapists complete an under graduate degree in art and psychology, and then train for two more years at accredited art therapy school, to learn how to use art as a part of counseling. Becoming certified (registered) requires an additional 1000 supervised hours of work with clients. While just the act of creating art can be therapeutic, additional skills are needed to bring together the experience of art making and mental health counselling.
What is the difference between an art group or class and art therapy?
An art class is likely to center around learning a specific medium or technique. Its focus is on either practicing skills, or creating a skillfully executed finished product. An art group may focus on relaxation, pleasure, or recreation. Any time we get to make art, we have the chance to have a profound personal and emotional experience. But when we use art therapy, do we do it intentionally, with mental health and counselling training backing it up.
Will the art therapist try to interpret my artwork?
No. This is not the purpose of art therapy. Some people worry that the art therapist will try to interpret their work. It is uncomfortable to think that someone is judging you or thinking things about you based on what you make. Luckily, this is not how art therapy works. Art therapists do not tell you what your work means, they do not diagnose you based on your work, and they do not make assumptions about you based on your work. The art therapist’s job is to help you determine what your work means to you.
Why use art therapy?
Art therapy is gentle, but effective. There are several things about the design of art therapy that function as built-in safety measures. This is so important, especially when working with trauma. First, it allows you to set the pace of your sessions and to work at a speed that is comfortable for you. Making art lets you to externalize struggles and express them in a non-threatening, contained way. Art has a calming effect on the nervous system, but it also activates memory networks and enhances communication. This allows for processing to begin before you even start talking. This is especially good for things that are difficult to describe verbally. Examples of this are: fragmented trauma memories, pre-verbal memories, or things that happened before you had the cognitive ability to understand and express them.
Is art therapy just for artists?
Art therapy is for everyone. You do not have to be an artist to do art therapy. The goal of the session is to use art materials to explore your feelings. The focus is on the experience, not on making something that is “good” or “nice”. Unfortunately, many people carry creative wounds. They have felt judged or shamed for expressing themselves in the past, and this prevents them from considering art therapy. Art therapy can actually be a healing and reparative experience for people who have experienced this. Also, since art itself is a language and a valid form of communication, you do not even have to be verbal to benefit from it. This makes it accessible to populations who may otherwise be excluded from traditional counselling.
Jessica Fukushima
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