Art Therapy

Art Therapy

istory and Development of Art Therapy

Over the history of psychology, many practitioners have been drawn to the use of artistic expression while working with clients. This practice dates to 1912. German psychiatrist Emil Kraepelin and Karl Jaspers notice drawings by the patients could be beneficial in understanding psychopathology. Freud and Jung both had theories that state art expression plays a vital role in psychiatric evaluation and treatment. Freud believed in an unconscious mind, while Jung believed in universal archetypes. Jung explored his psyche, along with his patients through art expressions (Malchiodi, 2007, p.16).

Art therapy has only existed since the mid-20th century. It is based on a variety of artistic forms. This kind of treatment sees the person as a creative being. This therapy allows the client to be the artist of their own story (Reis, 2014). British artist Adrian Hill knew how important it was for one to be their artist. While working with a tuberculosis patient, this idea became very relevant. Margaret Naumburg is recognized as one of the earliest practitioners to define art therapy and its form. She proposed that images were a form of symbolic speech (Malchiodi, 2007, p.17).

Donald Winnicott, a child psychiatrist, saw the value of this therapy. He believed art to be a transitional object. Winnicott knew this therapy to reflect one’s thoughts and feelings. Using this type of reflection, you would be able to define the conflicts as well. Many have gone on to specialize in this field. Art therapy has specialized education and standards of practice. Counselors and social workers working with children find this treatment engaging. Experimental activities provide children a way of expressing their emotions (Malchiodi, 2007, p.17).

Some see art therapy as a hybrid that forms from both art and psychology. The formations of these two fields generated two different theories on why art therapy is useful. The first sees art expression as a form of visual language that creates an outlet for people to express feelings in which they would not usually be able to put into words. The second theory claims that this type of expression can be a way to communicate a problematic past. Many victims of sexual, verbal, or physical abuse find emotional relief (Malchiodi, 2007, p.18).

Many mental and medical settings have influenced art therapy as a form of intervention. Art therapy was used primarily before in psychiatric and day treatment facilities to help better communicate with those who have a mental illness. However, art therapy has evolved and has been multiplying. This therapy is known as a vital tool to help treat those suffering from substance abuse, trauma, eating, and behavioral disorders. With new preventative health programs emerging art therapy has become a more traditional form of medical intervention. This therapy is used among adults, couples, and families (Malchiodi, 2007, p.17).

The Use, Efficacy, and Limitations of Art Therapy

Art therapist uses art therapy explicitly to help clients work on their self-esteem, manage addictions, reduce stress, and cope with illness or PTSD resulting from a traumatic event. This type of therapy is often used as a tool to help clients of all ages, delve into their inner thoughts and emotions. It provides them with the opportunity to visualize their emotions externally. Through the art‑making process and exploration of the artwork, unconscious and conscious thoughts, feelings and fantasies can be expressed (Edwards, 2004). Artistic talent is not needed for art therapy to be successful. The therapeutic process is not about the quality of the work, but the associations made between the creative piece and the client’s inner emotions. The artistic work can be used as a conversation starter during a therapy session. Some clients may find it difficult to talk directly to a therapist about sensitive issues. Using the artwork as the focus of attention may allow the client to see that it is more comfortable to speak to the therapist regarding sensitive topics. Making an image, whether a drawing, a painting, or a sculpture, is an experience of visual thinking and can be an additional source of information for both the client and therapist (Malchiodi, 2007, p19).

Art therapy is not without limitations. Art therapy is often used in the form of group therapy, taking place with one counselor with multiple clients. Art therapy can also be used as a form of independent treatment which can be beneficial to individuals seeking to do treatment privately. Although artistic talent is not needed for art therapy to be successful, individuals who do not have artistic background or expertise may find this form of therapy to be intimidating and not beneficial to them. They may be more reluctant to participate in the session.

Expressive therapy refers to a form of treatment that makes use of the creative process to reach healing. Expressive therapy is based on the idea that by awakening the creative or imaginative side of the client, the therapist can get an insight into the emotions, feelings and thought processes of the individual. The therapists can then make use of the information obtained from the expressive art of the individual to work out a way to help the client overcome the problems he is facing. The therapists behind the expressive art concept follow the argument that many people may find it hard to express themselves using language which defeats the purpose and aims of a therapy session. The therapists believe communication with the clients can be achieved in other ways other than language communication and they, therefore, employ the use of art. Expressive therapies usually do not require the client to be a talented artist to achieve the goals of the therapy process. The expressive art therapy relies on the process of creating the art product and less on the finished product.

An example of a case where expressive art therapy can be applied is for a retired soldier who was involved in active combat. Soldiers who have been engaged in intense battle have a hard time when they retire or after their service period is over, and when they have returned home to normal society. The life and conditions in the battlefield are usually severe, and life-changing as the soldiers experience humanity in one of its worst forms. The soldiers in active war find themselves killing other people and destroying property in the name of serving the country. The soldiers also get to witness their close friends get killed or tortured by the enemy in the worst possible ways leaving them traumatized for life. The memories from war coupled with the miserable living conditions they may come to live in the normal society go the ex-soldiers depressed and frustrated with life and suffering from conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Expressive art therapy will help ex-soldiers reveal their deepest thoughts and worries where they may, for example, show the pain of losing friends or the emotions they are harboring.

Expressive art therapy can also be used for clients who are under a lot of stress in their lives and are looking into treatment to help relax. The tension in the client’s life may be from a high demanding job or when the individual is overwhelmed by everyday responsibilities and expectations. The expressive art therapy will help reveal the main worries of the client and make him relax when he focuses on art and being creating instead of the problems in his life. After he can relax, the therapist can then guide him to put his life in order by arranging the things to be done in his life by order of their importance or priority.

References

Malchiodi, C. A. (Ed.). (2013). Expressive therapies. Guilford Publications.

Malchiodi, C. A. (2007). Expressive therapies (pp. 17-19). New York: The Guildford Press.

Reis, A. C. d. (2014). Art therapy: Art as an instrument in the work of the psychologist. Psicologia: Ciencia e Profissao, 34(1), 142-157. doi:http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.brenau.edu/10.1590/S1414-98932014000100011

References

Edwards, E. (2004). Art therapy. Sage: London.

Malchiodi, C. A. (2007). Expressive therapies (pp. 17-19). New York: The Guildford Press.

Reis, A. C. d. (2014). Art therapy: Art as an instrument in the work of the psychologist. Psicologia: Ciencia e Profissao, 34(1), 142-157. doi:http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.brenau.edu/10.1590/S1414-98932014000100011