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What is Art Therapy?

Art Therapy is a creative process that uses drawing, painting, collage, coloring, or sculpting to help people with their mental statuses (Art Therapy). Additionally, these artistic mediums help individuals express themselves. With the guidance of an Art Therapist, clients may uncover the hidden meanings and undertones behind their creative work (Art Therapy Art can also be utilized to help people through creativity.

Who is it used for?

Art Therapy can be used for children, adolescents, addicts, adults with developmental disabilities, and the geriatric population. Overall, Art Therapy can be useful to anyone struggling. Art Therapy can help individuals improve their self-esteem, reduce addiction, and reduce mental statuses such as depression and anxiety (Art Therapy). Art therapists work with individuals, couples, and groups in a variety of settings, including private counseling, hospitals, wellness centers, correctional institutions, senior centers, and other community organizations (Art Therapy). No artistic talent is necessary to partake in Art Therapy.

History

Individuals have been relying on a creative process to communicate, express and to heal for thousands of years. Nevertheless, Art Therapy was not founded until the 1940s (Cherry, 2011). Doctors realized that patients were using an artistic medium to heal themselves. The two founding fathers of Art Therapy were  Margaret Naumburg and Edith Kramer (The History of Art Therapy). Naumburg’s main belief about Art Therapy was that she could analyze the artwork of her patients. Kramer believed art was the therapeutic benefit and did not analyze the artwork (The History of Art Therapy

Would your child benefit?

Any child can benefit from virtual Art Therapy sessions. Particularly if your child lacks enjoyment and is suffering from depression or anxiety during these times of distress. Our 45-minute Art Therapy sessions will be just the amount of time your child needs in order to heal, build their self-esteem, and seek enjoyment from the process of creating.

What we do:

In our 45-minute session with your child, your child will gain self-esteem and enjoyment through art projects such as painting, drawing, and clay sculpting along with other art projects. Our program follows Kramer’s train of thought that expression is the therapeutic process rather than deciphering your child’s artwork. Your child will leave each session with a completed art project that they can show their friends and family and gain a sense of accomplishment.

References

“Art Therapy.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers

Cherry, Kendra. “How Does Art Therapy Work for Patients?” Verywell Mind, 11 May 2020,

“The History of Art Therapy.” RSS

Art Therapy helps children by offering an outlet for self-expression, reduces stress and alleviates emotional distress. Art Therapy can also help bring your child to a meditative state and allow your child to see problems from a different perspective. Is your child lacking in enjoyment? Well, Art Therapy can help your child find enjoyment through creative expression.

How has COVID impacted your child’s mental health?

Research reveals that COVID has greatly impacted the mental health of children and parents do not have the skills to help their children (Aten, 2020). Research suggests that times of crisis can have long-term impacts on a child’s mental health. However, with help and support children can become resilient and overcome times of stress (Benefits of Expressive Art Therapy for Children).

Age Groups

Our program helps children of all ages suffering from loneliness and isolation during this pandemic. Virtual Art Therapy groups for children of all ages can aid with their mental status as it gives children an outlet for expression and reduces loneliness.

Target Diagnosis

Art Therapy can help children with a variety of diagnoses including Autism to depression and anxiety. For children who suffer from Autism, they mainly think in pictures. So Art Therapy is perfect for that diagnosis. Additionally, “Perhaps most importantly, art therapy can allow a child with ASD to express their feelings and impressions of the world. “They’re using the paintbrushes to gain control and achieve mastery, using lines to color the way they want to, using clay to mold their ideas into a visual form,” Van Lith explained” (Artsy, Lesser, 2018).

For children suffering from Depression, Art Therapy can act as an avenue for creating new more positive emotions and may help children feel a sense of accomplishment which children with depression may lack (Kvarnstrom, 2019). Additionally, it can help a child find meaning in self-expression. (Kvarnstrom, 2019).

For children suffering from Anxiety, many feel they cannot turn to an adult for support. “Art therapy encourages this process, helping children to feel that they can be seen, heard and understood. Sharing feelings and understanding them can stop cyclical thoughts, a major cause of anxiety” (Rob, 2016)

Art Therapy for children suffering from other mental disorders can also be beneficial, especially during these times of need.

References

Aten, Jamie D. “COVID-19 and Children’s Mental Health Research on Rising Issues and Ways to Solve Them.” PsychologyToday, Psychology Today, 20 Apr. 2020, www.calgarychildpsychologist.com/art-therapy/.

“Benefits of Expressive Art Therapy for Children.” Benefits of Expressive Art Therapy for Children | Georgetown Behavioral, 2016, www.georgetownbehavioral.com/blog/expressive-art-therapy-for-children#:~:text=The%20right%20mix%20can%20improve,behaviors%20and%20advancing%20social%20skills.

Editorial, Artsy, and Casey Lesser. “How Art Therapy Is Helping Children with Autism Express Themselves.” Artsy, 25 Apr. 2018, www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-art-therapy-helping-children-autism-express#:~:text=Perhaps%20most%20importantly%2C%20art%20therapy,form%2C%E2%80%9D%20Van%20Lith%20explained.

Kvarnstrom, Elisabet. “Using Art Therapy to Create Freedom From Depression.” Bridges to Recovery, Bridges to Recovery, 10 July 2019, www.bridgestorecovery.com/blog/using-art-therapy-to-create-freedom-from-depression/).

Art Therapy for non-profits:

As an Art Therapist, I help children through the process of an artistic medium. I create the curriculum for services, I conduct art therapy groups and one-on-one sessions. I also write progress notes entailing what occurred during each session.

How Art Therapy Helps:

Overall, Art Therapy for children can help build problem-solving skills, help improve the self-esteem of children, self-awareness, strengthening relationships and advancing social skills (Benefits of Expressive Art Therapy for Children, 2016) For underserved children, Art Therapy can help them cope with negative situations, disability, and trauma. Art Therapy can help give underserved children a voice that they may be lacking under their circumstances. Art Therapy in virtual groups can increase children’s ability to interact with one another.

For children in Foster care situations, Art Therapy can help children safely express issues, concerns, and emotions. (Ramos-Saenz, 2019) Additionally, Art Therapy for children in foster care settings can help children cope with stressors based on assimilating into a foster care facility or home.

Art Therapy can also benefit children that do not have parents or have only one parent. Creating a therapeutic bond between therapist and child can be very beneficial to children that do not have parents. Working with an adult can be a form of building a strong relationship and mentor which children without parents lack (Malchiodi, 2016)

My Capabilities:

As an Art Therapist with a master’s degree,  I have many skills in conducting Art Therapy sessions with children. My capabilities include: Creating a treatment plan for each child. Creating goals for each child.  Tailoring Art Therapy projects based on a group’s necessity or an individual child’s necessity. Holding group sessions as well as individual sessions.  Creating a general curriculum for group sessions. I am also able to reach each child where they are at. Lastly, writing progress notes for insurance reimbursement.

Success Stories:

Leading Art Therapy sessions for children with incarcerated parents, the main goal was to play games with children. These children benefited from adult interaction and stated at the end of the 30-minute group that they wish the group would last longer.

At another organization for adults with developmental disabilities, I was able to reach clients where they were at. In one specific circumstance, I was able to note the progressive change in a client with mental retardation. He was always incredibly thankful and proud of his artwork after he completed his paintings. He was able to come out of his shell and explore his mental capacity. In fact, it was noted that he became less frustrated with his disability as time went on. Overall, Art Therapy has been considered useful for many including children suffering from a multitude of hardships.

References

“Benefits of Expressive Art Therapy for Children.” Benefits of Expressive Art Therapy for Children | Georgetown Behavioral, 2016,

Ramos-Saenz, Adela R. “Utilizing Art Therapy to Overcome Cumulative Trauma Experienced by Adolescents Admitted into the Foster Care System.” Long Island University , Long Island University, 2019

Malchiodi, Cathy. “Child Art Therapy: How It Works It Takes More than Coloring for Reparation to Happen.” PsychologyToday, 31 Jan. 2016,