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Therapeutic Methods 0f Art Therapy

ExploringAltMeds — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 13:00:32 +0000

Art therapists, like other therapists, use many different therapeutic methods to examine and treat the emotional problems of their patients. Unlike other therapists, however, art therapists’ have therapeutic methods that focus on having the patient create and interpret art pieces. These methods can help the patient achieve personal insight to their problem as well as help them to handle their personal issues.

A few of the techniques used are interpreted by the art therapist rather than the patient. In these techniques, the patient’s art is analyzed according to the colors, shapes and designs used. Other techniques are used to ascertain the present mental state of the patient; these techniques typically involve the patient choosing geometric shapes and then recreating them. Additional techniques involve the patient drawing specific pictures and then explaining the pictures; these techniques give the art therapist clues to the personality of the patient.

Who Is The Art Therapist?

ExploringAltMeds — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 13:00:38 +0000

The vocation of art therapist isn’t a new one, but it’s one that’s not familiar to a lot of folks. Art therapists are professional therapists who have extensive training in both art and psychotherapy. To be an art therapist, a person must hold a master’s degree in either art therapy or a comparable field. This education and training permits an art therapist to help patients discover their emotional troubles through artistic mediums.

Most patients of art therapy are unable to deal with their problems like stress or personal trauma. Art therapists can bring out in a patient the ability to acquire insight into their own minds and feelings, in addition to boosting the patient’s power to institute and sustain healthy relationships. All of these things are significant components of healing, and art therapists are educated to employ the artistic processes of the mind to bring these solutions out of their patients.

Markers and Crayons: Not Just For Kids

ExploringAltMeds — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:36:05 +0000

Have you ever watched a young child drawing with markers or crayons on a blank piece of paper? They seem to be able to just let go and scribble on and on without a care in the world. This is rarely matched by an adult. And why would an adult want to doodle for no reason anyway?

Because there might be a purpose to Art after all!

Art Therapy is a widely used form of therapy using both the creative process and psychotherapy to elicit a healing response in the patient. By using simple tools like the ones found in any child’s craft box like crayons, markers, colored pencils, and paints, a professional Art Therapist can help a patient discover and deal with internal emotional turmoil. Art Therapy is Frequently used in mental health clinics, but can also be found in more casual places like art studios.