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Art Therapy Research Paper

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Why I chose Psychotherapy through Art Therapy, is the same as asking why puppies adopt little boys. The urge I believe was born in me; art makes me want to change the shape of things as they are, to leave behind a mark on this world that will make a different in some degree. I have loved art in all its forms from the time I have memory. I became interested in expressive therapy as a career through my studio art minor classes at Virginia Wesleyan College. I came to Virginia Wesleyan an amateur artist and loved the idea of helping others through expressive art. I personally know it to be a pleasurable distraction where hope is experienced through art symbols, art media, and sensory stimulation. The impact of creating art and how that process …show more content…

Children in the autistic spectrum have social, emotional, and communication disorders, most are withdrawn or internally preoccupied and for whom words are very frightening. I believe using art therapy as words can be extremely helpful with children where change creates anxiety and where their feelings are often expressed by acting out through abrupt or violent behaviors. Furthermore, I believe non-verbal children and those suffering from family breakdown, bereavement and loss, and children suffering from trauma are those individuals who need the safe, non-threatening environment of art therapy and through art can make sense of the confusion and chaos they feel surrounds them. Young offenders also, I believe can gain personal growth and a release of pent up frustrations through safe expression provided with art therapy. Furthermore, for young children who have life-threatening illnesses such as cancer can express fears and anxieties about their future in the safe environment of art therapy. I believe art offers a relaxing, satisfying, and even a mildly therapeutic state of mind just going through the activity of making marks and it is solitary, private, and

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