How Therapists Can Use With Their Clients

Art therapy is a Multi-Functional Psychological therapy that helps the mental mind in connecting things that are disconnected like a patient with alzheimer's where the patient's medial temporal lobe that’s the part of the brain that controls memory. The medial temporal lobe is vital in the brain because that is where the brain recollects the memories and stores them. When you get older the lobe gets weaker in which causes it to disconnect thus causing “memory loss” or dementia. In art therapy we like to cause a visual reconnection of that nerve so in which a patient then can remember more but in a visual stance as in some people like to look at photographs to visually which allows memories to reconnect. These programs are put into place to help anyone with mental issues they are put in place just to help.

When children are presented with Art Therapy, it may be geared towards creative style and imagination.

Art therapy is said to use “three levels of intervention.” These levels include engaging in the clients senses through the physical manipulation of art materials, using the client’s art as a “symbolic container of their traumatic memories, and “cognitive reflection” guided by the art therapist. The therapist helps to “guide” where the client’s focus lays in terms of their traumatic memories; the goal of the therapist is to help the client integrate elements of their experience, other than the extremely negative, into their

According to an article published in Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art therapy Association, “…art therapy strengthened personal, spiritual and social development” (pg. 72, Kapitan, Litell, Torres, 2011). Additionally, it could also help children reduce “acute stress symptom” (pg. 103, Chapman, Morabito, Ladakakos, Schreier, Knudson, 2001). This type of therapy can be used to build child’s self-esteem by encouraging them to express themselves openly through art.

Wiener, D. (2003). Action therapy with families and groups: Using creative arts improvisation in clinical practice. Washington, D.C: American Psychological

Therapists use theories in assisting their clients with different approaches and techniques. These theories are designed to help the client to receive the best treatment possible. Theories enable us to see things from new angles and perspectives, as well as allow us to fully understand relationships in life. Hagan (2011) research has proven that “One cannot begin teaching the specifics of theoretical influences and practice methods without providing the underpinning foundation of the values and socio-political framework of practices” (p. 1222). Our theories may be incomplete, poorly developed, based on limited information, and biased to fit our needs, but we still use them to guide our behaviors. Coakley (2011) mentions “When

One effective way the therapist could help our family would be using a creative genogram. “The creative genogram, used as a tool in teaching or therapy simultaneously generated diagnostic information created a space for reflective processes, either by reframing problems or direct problem solving” (Huss & Cwikel, 2008, p. 179). The therapist and family could recognize historical patterns that could be affecting how our family perceives our situation. Therefore, using a creative genogram can provide information about our family’s patterns over generations that contain history occurrences, such as relationships among family members (Huss & Cwikel, 2008). The genogram can help our family with self-awareness, overwhelming emotions, and help shape

Art therapy as an intervention For the purpose of developing a therapeutic intervention we will suppose that a preadolescent child with similar adverse experiences in reffered for art therapy in a school setting due to heightened social anxiety and poor peer relations. Art therapy is appropriate for children who are socially anxious as they often have trouble communicating their emotions verbally. the presence of art between the therapist and client allows for non-verbal communication.

To use art therapy people don’t have to know how to draw to express their feelings, instead they just draw how they are feeling and art therapist determines their emotions through what they drew. Art therapy causes kids and teenager’s brains to expand and have caused their thinking to be more creative than others. Kids who feel let down or don’t have any type of encouragement use art therapy because it boosts their self-esteem. Art therapy is really important for people because it relieves

My desire to study art therapy is rooted in the exact moment I realized the effect art-making could have on the understanding of one’s self. When I was a sophomore in high school I was suffering from depression and during my therapy sessions, I would rack my brain trying to answer my therapist’s questions. I had never experienced depression before and was having a hard time putting a label on all of my thoughts and feelings. I had five months of antidepressants and psychotherapy under my belt, but I was still crying every day, barely eating, and wanted nothing to do with the outside world.. One day, my therapist pulled out a box of crayons and asked me to draw myself on a bridge.

I have mentioned it slightly but did not elaborate much on it. There are different kinds of therapy such as art, music, drama, and dance. These are all forms of Expressive Therapies. The expressive therapies’ are considered a form of psychotherapy. But it is its own unique form as you can tell. Usually the beginnings of these sessions are like normal sessions. The therapists ask about your personal life and such and may suggest the use of one of these arts to expressive themselves with if the response is not positive. What makes this type of therapy unique though is the that they also look deep into

However, art therapy is typically the most in psychiatric wards, either individually or in groups. It is currently emerging is family art therapy, and used a lot in the education system, focusing on children who are learning disabled, mentally challenged, emotionally disturbed, socially disadvantaged. According to the AATA, art therapy is practiced in mental health, rehabilitation, medical, educational, forensic, wellness, private practice and community settings. Within these settings, art therapy can be applied to an extremely diverse client population in individual, couples, family, and group therapy formats. Art therapy is an effective treatment for people experiencing developmental, medical, educational, and social or psychological impairment. Other individuals who benefit from art therapy include those who have survived trauma resulting from combat, abuse, and natural disaster, along with individuals who have adverse physical health conditions such as cancer, traumatic brain injury, and other health disability, and finally individuals with autism, dementia, depression, and other disorders. Art therapy helps people resolve conflicts, improve interpersonal skills, manage maladaptive behaviors, reduce negative stress, and achieve personal insight. (AATA, 2013) No matter how it is used, all good art therapy leads to both education and growth. It can be beneficial

Pielech and colleagues (2013) identified several limitations of their research study. Most of the responses with regards to participants’ experience in the art therapy group sessions are from the mothers who were the majority of the group. Oftentimes, only one parent would be available at a time so that the other parent can attend to the family’s other needs—such as working, taking care of their other children, etc. Another limitation that the researchers

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,

According to the definition of the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (n.d.), “Expressive Arts combine the visual arts, movement, drama, music, writing and other creative processes to foster deep personal growth and community development. It evolves multimodal approach within psychology, organizational development, community arts and education. By integrating the arts to our inner resources for healing, clarity, illumination and creativity.” As to provide quality and ethical Expressive Arts Therapy, only Registered Expressive Arts Therapist who received professional training and supervision can practice Expressive Arts