Therapy? Art? How These Effectively Work Together

Art therapy has many benefits and is a method long used by therapists all over the country. It’s said to reduce anxiety and depression, help survivors remember details of their trauma, provide people with a medium to non-verbally express their feelings appropriately, and much more. Letting the mind work creatively is an effective way to introduce healing and hope to someone who may be suffering from mental illnesses, trauma, or is in recovery. 

Art Therapy Has Many Benefits

When it comes to looking at ourselves, we are often hypercritical of details that our peers don’t pay attention to. We’ve all had the moments where we poke and probe our insecurities until we end up feeling worse than before. Did you know that art therapy can lead to increased self-esteem? It’s true! 

Here at Eva Carlston Academy, we love seeing the process of creating art in a therapeutic setting. Art therapy typically gives you a sense of self-accomplishment, which is vital to your self-appreciation and confidence. 

Art Therapy may be used in these types of settings: 

• Children suffering from behavioral problems at school or home 
• Individuals suffering from a brain injury
• Eat disorders
• Substance use
• Children with learning disabilities
• PTSD
• Depression 
• Anxiety

Creating or viewing art is used in numerous ways. It can help people cope with stress, work on social skills, explore emotions, and more. To say that it is an expressive medium is an understatement. Many of those that participate in art therapy have been known to have increased communication and new insights into their personality. This psychotherapeutic technique utilizes that creative process of making art to improve someone’s overall wellbeing. 

Art therapy has many benefits that are designed for the patient, and by the patient. Not only does it allow the person to explore their creativity, but it also shows them that they can create something beautiful. At Eva Carlston, we provide a judgment-free, therapeutic setting where the best art comes to the surface and effective healing or recovery. 

History Of Art Therapy 101

Art therapy was introduced from America and Europe in the 1940s, and has seemed to stick around since! Art therapy was developed into a therapeutic use by Adrian Hill, whose work was expanded by artist Edward Adamson. Adamson opened a studio where patients from mental hospitals could freely create art without judgment. 

At Eva Carlston Academy we believe that our girls’ privacy is top priority. Although we may have this belief, during Adamson’s career, he collected over 100,000 pieces of art made by patients and displayed them! In today’s world, many question whether or not it was ethical for Adamson to display these pieces, or if they should be considered clinical records. 

Art therapy has an interesting history and benefits that are used by professionals throughout the world. It’s benefits range from reducing stress to relieving symptoms of anxiety. When done in a therapeutic setting, the possibilities with creativity are endless and the results are astonishing.