Fun and Empowerment through Art Therapy

Art therapy: how art imitates life

It is said that art imitates life. It is a medium of expression of one’s creativity. It conveys a lot of ideas and feelings. Art is a product of human activity that stimulates the senses and evokes different kinds of emotions.

It is the mind’s interpretation of what it perceives, expressing it in symbols, words, drawings, music, dance, plays, etc. It comes from the mind of its creator. If art imitates life, and is an expression of human activity, then art can help us understand an individual’s state of being through his works.

The art of inner healing

Some artists paint on canvases, while others find satisfaction in something deeper: the art of inner healing. Artists who have knowledge of human development, psychological theories, clinical practice, including spiritual, multicultural and artistic traditions have discovered the healing potential of art.

Art therapy is the therapeutic use of art by people experiencing a variety of life challenges such as stress and anxiety, emotional problems, depression, illnesses and other health conditions. It is also for people seeking personal development and fulfillment.

Art creation and its processes increase self-awareness and the ability to deal with life’s struggles, including coping with symptoms, stress and traumatic experiences. Art therapy helps improve cognitive abilities and offers life-affirming pleasures.

In art therapy, creation may begin with an urge to make a doodle or sketch, or with a particular feeling, dreams, memories or just an idea. The next step is to give it a physical form using clay or paint or any other tool one might want to use for one’s creation. This is a creative play that provides a means to express something that has no word, or is not yet understood.

Reasons why people come to art therapy

There are a number of reasons why people come to art therapy. Most people who are grieving the loss of a loved one, depressed, experiencing trauma, sexually abused, or addicted to drugs or substance abuse find relief and courage through creative expression. Others who are mending broken relationships, exploring their dreams, or seeking renewal and meaning in their lives have found the depth of art therapy to be very helpful and effective.

Art therapy can provide a deep sense of security as it becomes a familiar place to reflect on these private images or expressions. Images, sculptures and other forms of art offer a kind of nourishment, healing insights, and a new respect for one’s creativity. There are those who prefer to work in silence. But there are also.