Healing Through Art Therapy

Art therapy is a type of therapy that uses art as a tool to encourage healing. It can be used in many different settings and with people of all ages. You may find art therapists in hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and private practices, just to name a few. They often use a variety of materials such as those used for painting, drawing, clay, collage, and many other different kinds of art. There are many different ways to make art. If you decide to try art therapy, then let your art therapist know if you have a favorite kind of art. They may be able to incorporate this into your sessions to facilitate the healing process.

Art therapists are trained professionals both in counseling techniques and in art strategies. They may be licensed, board certified, or registered in the field of art therapy. They will know how to use art as a tool to guide you in processing emotions and ground you in times of stress. Art can offer you a chance to explore new coping skills and it can be used to support people struggling with anything from anxiety, depression, trauma, and many other things.

One of the best things about art therapy is that anyone can try it. You don't even have to be good at art to benefit from it. This is because art therapy focuses on the process of creating and not on the final product. You do not need to create a masterpiece, you just need to give yourself the chance to create something, anything really.

What exactly might an art therapy session look like? That can often vary depending on the person and the reason they are seeking therapy. One example might be that you are given a topic, and then asked to create art about it. Your therapist might then discuss the topic, what the process of making the art was like, and any insights or observations that might have come up while you were creating the art.

Art therapy can be done with any age, but there is an added layer of benefits when using it with children. There are many ways to communicate besides verbal communication. Children naturally gravitate towards drawing pictures as a way of communication. They still believe in magic, imagination, and possibilities. We often get to see this come out in their art. By using art as a type of communication with children, it helps us to get on their level and meet them where they are at. When children are struggling with a problem, they often do not have the words to tell us what is going on. We can use art as a way to bridge that gap. They may not always have the words to tell us, but they can often use images to show us.

Art is a great tool to use to help empower children and build confidence. It encourages them to learn how to problem solve and be creative. Art creates a safe space for them to explore and process their emotions, as well as building up their tolerance for frustration when their art does not go as planned. Interestingly enough, these reasons can be just as much of a benefit for adults too.

The path to healing can sometimes be a long one with lots of twists and bumps on the way. Art therapy can be just one more tool to help you along on your journey.

Compass Counseling accepts self pay, commercial insurance and Kentucky Medicaid.

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