Critique: Psychoanalysis, Cognitive-Behavioral, Person-Centered

According to Naumburg (1966), the process of art therapy is based on one’s fundamental thoughts and feelings that are obtained from the unconscious and often express in images rather than in words. Understanding the techniques of art therapy are based on every individual’s knowledge that whether trained or untrained in art, the individual all have a unconscious ability to project inner thoughts or conflicts into images. In other words, everyone does not have to be a skilled artist to do art therapy; any form of art is acceptable. For example: scribbling on a piece of paper can be art therapy because the act of scribbling transforms the unconscious thought into an image. (Naumburg, 1966).

“This is where you can find your soul, if you dare.” (Anderson, pg 10) This belief comes from the mind of the Melinda, the progantists, art teacher, Mr. Freeman. Art is truly a door to the mind of an individual, showing things that people aren’t able to say. It shows through images and colors what many people aren’t able to express in words, events and thoughts speaking through the medium. Art is growing as a use of therapy to heal and tell. Psychologists analyze their patients art at a psychological level, interpreting the image into words. One of the theories in art therapy, which is seen throughout “Speak”, is the idea that unconscious thoughts are expressed in an image. (Irvings)These images then can be explained rationally. Melinda’s three major art images, the half dead trees, turkey bone, and cubism represent this theory.

Like everything else, there is a romanticized idea of art. A balcony overlooking Los Angeles/ New York/ Italy/ France/ Greece. A misunderstood starving artist conveying their emotions by painting on a canvas. The underlying aspect is emotion. Art is a way to express emotions if you look at the work of Rene Magritte, Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso what you will see is subconscious emotions on a canvas. Art making is hypothesized to involve bilateral stimulation, engaging the integrating and planning functions of the prefrontal cortex to sequence narratives using left brain functions. Slowly evolving to being used by psychoanalysts and art therapy becoming a profession. This essay will show how art plays an important factor in psychological

Art has always been considered the effervescent universal tool of communication. Art does not require a concrete directive . One sculpture,drawing or written creative piece, can evoke a myriad of emotions and meaning . Artistic pieces can sometimes be considered the regurgitation of the artist's internal sanctum. In Richard Hooks graphic painting,Adoption of the Human Race, the effect of the imagery,symbols ,color and emotional content projects a profound unification of a spiritual edict.

The counseling profession has a broad spectrum of possibilities when it comes to choosing which psychological approach to take. The field of counseling takes many forms and offers many career options, from school counseling to marriage and family therapy. As there are numerous styles in existence, it is important to be aware of the many approaches available to take. For my research two psychological approaches, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and Person-Centered Psychology, will be critically analyzed and discussed in depth in order to compare the techniques as well as effectiveness of each.

Therefore, as a future counselor the application of expressive therapies seems to be one of many preferred approaches on my behalf. The human component of uniqueness, inspire a great emphasize of feeling, emotions, vocal and movements to be expresses. Beginning with a crying and perhaps ending with a laughing can be limitless or blocked by many conflicts or dysfunctional issues. Then, by the evaluation of different therapeutic alternatives such as art therapy, music and dance therapy, and play therapy many future clients may be guided and helped to express their emotional burden and find some

Art therapy is a common mental health vocation that utilizes the ingenious practice of art making to ameliorate and improve the mental, emotional, and physical healthfulness of people of all age groups. It is predicated on the credence that the creative operation involved in imaginative self-expression avails people to undertake conflicts and quandaries, develop interpersonal skills, manage comportment, reduce stress, increment self-esteem and self-cognizance, and accomplish understanding of themselves. Art therapy incorporates the fields of visual arts, human development, and the ingenious process with models of psychotherapy and counseling.

Many people have heard the expression that art is a projection of the soul. Art gives us the way to not only express ourselves, but as well as tell a story that our conscious mind cannot. From some, they believe art is simply a hobby, or perhaps something that only hangs in museums; however, many others, and I as well, believe that art has the “powers” to be something more than what the subject has previously been defined as. While art is quite has been stereotyped in such way as “decorations or [art] hang[ing] in a museum, there are purposes for art, ones that are connected to self understanding” (Malchiodi 2). I believe that art has the capability of healing past traumas, and creating a bridge to help some people move on with their lives. Art is an astounding idea of creation through the hands of humans. I believe that each piece of art contains a part of every person’s life. With that idea stated, questions may arise as to what the idea of the human soul and art pertain to. Art can be a form of treatment that can help delve into the minds and bring forth ideas and images that may have been otherwise trapped in the person’s mind who may have trouble verbalizing this memory. In many cases, people don’t quite understand what art therapy quite is.

Recent studies on psychology have allowed us to understand how individuals perceive and experience art. Although the psychology of art dating back before the 1600’s has been studied to an extent, psychologist have yet to truly understand contemporary art. The intentions of this research paper is to shed light on just some of the methodologies and connections contemporary artists may use in their work, and importantly, just how viewers interpret these details on a neurological and psychological scale. Several popular studies have been cited to explore various topics such as an artist’s style, name, the objects, colors and typography they choose to implement within their works and why.

Expressive arts therapy is the use of art modalities, creative process, and aesthetic experience in a therapeutic context. It is a therapy of the imagination (McNiff, 1992). Effective communication is an essential element in therapeutic relationships and, although verbal language is the most conventional means of conveying information, other forms can convey just as much as words. The arts are an alternative form of communication that has recently received recognition for their value in therapeutic settings. There is a long well-established connection between the arts and psychology. Expressive arts therapy builds on a natural, complimentary relationship between the two disciplines. As a formal therapy, this form is relatively new with its

Almost every theoretical orientation has adapted the use and techniques of expressive arts therapy in some way. Humanistic psychology, for example, emphasizes the importance of play, creativity, and spontaneity. The creative process is intrinsic to self-actualization. Self-actualization makes life more meaningful and enhances abilities,

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is among the highest rating mental disorders in Australia. As many as 800,000 lives have been impacted by PTSD, with an estimated further ten percent of Australians predicted to experience it, (Brown, 2013)”. This paper will reflect my chosen modality Expressive Art Therapy, as well as addressing the phase oriented approach introduced by Janet’s as described by van der Hart, Brown & van der Kolk, (1989). It will also include a brief list of resources and networks, ethical considerations, and a spiritual & personal aspect.

Art has been found everywhere in every historical period. We can define it as a tool for human beings which is used to tell the ideas and thoughts of people, passing people’s emotions and feelings to other people and highlighting the wonderful creatures that exist in nature. Moreover, people exert it to raise awareness of some important events. People who are making art reflect all these things through their art creations. Their works can be a sculpture, painting, photograph, book, music, theatre, movie or other countless types. Art is highly related with interpretation on emotions and thoughts, creativity and imagination. Human beings have been using art for these purposes from time immemorial. Some of the

Expressive therapy is the use of creative arts as a form of therapy. It's the practice of using visual art, storytelling, music, dancing and even poetry to lift one's emotional well-being (“Expressive therapy”, Wikipedia). Expressive therapy is one of the best ways to resolve issues with yourself since it increases self-awareness and allows individuals to fully grasp their emotions and acknowledge them. It also allows them to express their emotions in a nonverbal manner, reduce stress and distract them, which is one of the many reasons that makes expressive therapy very effective. Expressive therapy allows individuals of all ages to express themselves in an artistic manner when they struggle to find the right words, and it gives them a voice.

Freud himself initiated to use his theories to the analysis of religion, mythology, art, and literature just after the turn of the century. In it he studied the main character, noting the Oedipal effects behind the plot. The concern with literature quickly turned to the writers themselves and to artists in general as he asked that why art exists and why people create it. In that search he wrote essays on Dostoyevsky, Shakespeare, Leonardo Vinci, Goethe, and others. His sense of the artist, lastly, was that he is an unstable character who writes out of his own neuroses, with the result that his work gives therapeutic. Insights into the nature of life not only for himself but also for those who read. As Freud commented in Lectures on Psycho-Analysis, “The artist has also an introverted disposition and has not far to go to become a