There is something about the way a brush creates a smooth, painted line and how you are the one in control. Have you ever noticed how quiet kids become while coloring? It’s because art is therapeutic, and now it’s been developed into a form of therapy used in treatment centres, schools and in homes.
Art therapy is a way for people with mental health disorders to explore their feelings, manage behavior, develop social skills, reduce anxiety and increase self-esteem through a creative process. It is an alternative form of therapy that patients can use if they are uncomfortable with or don’t see results with traditional therapy.
Image Radoslav Minchev
Art therapy can be beneficial for anyone with depression, addiction, anxiety, behavioral and conduct disorders, poor social skills, or individuals who have experienced trauma. It is especially beneficial for children and teens, as it is a non-threatening way to express oneself, according to Art Therapy Blog.
Benefits of art therapy include:
- Increased self-expression
- Reduction of stress and anxiety
- Mood improvement
- Reveals patterns of behavior, thoughts and internalized anxieties
- Improves self-observation
Art therapy is used in hospitals, schools, wellness centres, schools, crisis centres and forensic institutions to help people improve their emotional, mental and physical well-being. Studies show that creative expression improves personal growth through self-reflection.
Featured image Kasia Raj
