The Discussion of Art Therapeutic Effect - Essay Example

Art therapy Introduction This research paper is devoted to the discussion of art therapeutic effect. As faras we could see from literature sources, art is not only a ‘pill for human soul’, but it can heal people directly. Art therapy is a young science though its successes are undeniable. Emotional disorders, anxiety, depression, pain release, social misunderstandings and other issues can be treated in the process of art therapy. A further discussion is based on contemporary studies in art therapy field. There is made an attempt to discuss effects of art therapy on patients with psycho-emotional illnesses. What is art therapy? Art therapy is an intermediate level between medicine and creativity. The main objective of this phenomenon is to cure people but medicaments don’t work here. Sometimes chalks, paints and markers can be more effective in human treatment. Psychological aspects of a patient are influenced by generally accepted psychological theories and techniques. Therefore it is clear that art therapists should be aware of psychotherapeutic theories and adapt them into models relevant to art therapy (Waller, 1992). Psychological treatments next to creativity are combined in art therapy. As far as we can see, art therapy is a unification of medical and non-medical treatment and is available to the society both in medical and non-medical institutions. Representatives of different age groups and social classes may attend art studios or workshops, where their creative potential will be developed with regard to their psychological needs. Art therapy is perfectly defined by the International Art Therapy Organization [IATO] as ‘a path to health and wellness, emotional reparation, recovery, and ultimately, transformation’ (Jones 2005, p. 20). A wide range of issues, such as psychological and emotional needs can be covered in the process of art therapy. Social life of a patient and not only his health will be improved with the help of art therapy. Emotional disorder, stress, depression and other ailments can be successfully treated in the process of art therapy. Via methods of visual art expression, art therapy appeals to inner worlds of patients; art therapy works where words are not enough or have no depth required for every particular case: “Art making is seen as an opportunity to express oneself imaginatively, authentically, and spontaneously, an experience that, over time, can lead to personal fulfillment, emotional reparation, and transformation” (Jones 2005, p. 23). Phil Jones in his book (2005) makes an emphasis on importance of creative spirit which occurs in the process of art therapy. The author is keen on art therapy and claims that it has a revolutionary nature and for modern psychiatry art therapy is a swizzle stick. Consequently, art therapists must involve their creative thinking and through symbolic and metaphoric meanings appeal to their patients in order to restore their psychological and emotional well-being. Another important note made by Jones is that art therapy process can be organized in different manner by art therapists; it is often ‘set aside in a different place’ (Jones 2005, p. 102). Art therapists can find inspiration from children’ play or their creative thinking could be the most favorable in art studio or a room with a lot of space or artist’s studio. Moreover, a lot of different ideas are implied by art therapists in different cultures. Historical and cultural context of an art therapist and his patients are influential factors in their mutual cooperation. Thus a generally accepted attitude to art in different cultures, the way it works and other issues should be properly studied by art therapist (Jones 2005, p. 107). A perception of art therapy process between art therapist and a client can be differentiated basing on their experiences of culture perception. It is relevant to apply cultural traditions and customs. Thus art therapy is beneficial in Israel, if folk songs are introduced. Therefore success of art therapy is predetermined in case a client and art therapist has the same vision of culture and art. Art therapy can be called a way to client’s inner world (Winnicott, 1982). With the help of visual art a client appeals to his emotions or can even reveal his hidden self or restore his hidden or subconscious self. A client makes a puzzle, which will result in a holistic representation of his inner world. For example, transitional models suggested by Winnicott, make an emphasis on the importance of client’s transition into his childhood. Psychological development is directly influenced by a client’s ability to transit into his earlier years and evoking a positive experience. Moreover, relationship established by art therapists with his client Winnicott names as relationship of “good enough mother” (Winnicott, 1982). This author makes an emphasis on art therapist’s initiative in the treatment process as a sensitive leader able to appeal tenderly to the inner world of a client. Art therapy: an innovative medical treatment A revolutionary nature of art therapy for medicine is in its involvement of creative thinking and exerting influence on emotions and feelings of the patient via visual means. A better understanding of the self, which results from art therapy model, a client’s attitude to the self and better understanding of the people around him. Experience gained in the process of art therapy is "health-enhancing and growth-producing experience" (Jones 2005, p. 26). Though it is impossible to compare art therapy to an ordinary art class, it is possible to trace common features between them. An individual has to depict a certain image in both cases, but in art therapy this image comes from inside and no special techniques are required to depict it. The main objective of art therapy is to reveal inner world of a patient, that’s why no matter what kind of image would occur. Art therapy is wide-spread in many clinical settings, studios and workshops. Representatives of different nations have a chance to take part in art therapy. Art therapy consulting is applied in family therapy and mental health treatment (Winnicott, 1982). A profession of art therapists requires different skills combining theoretical knowledge and practical skills. “They use the creative process to help their clients increase insight and judgment, cope with stress, work through traumatic experiences, increase cognitive abilities, have better relationships with family and friends, and achieve greater self fulfillment” (Waller). Creative thinking of art therapists is usually based on the usage of images from ARAS (Archive for Research in Archetypal Symbolism). This resource helps art therapists to include symbolism and images in their work with clients. A novelty of art therapy proves that a special training in this field is experienced not by all art therapists. Many of them are marriage consultants or family therapists and have no master’s degree in art therapy. How do art therapists work? Where does their work start? There is a special scale of assessment in art therapy. Background conditions, such as emotions, feelings, and a process of cognition are taken into account in art therapy. Art therapists should be attentive to peculiarities of individual’s reactions in the process occurring in the process of art therapy. Psychological direction of art therapy was not chosen by scientists accidentally. In the study conducted by Fritz Mohr in the beginning of XXth century he came to the conclusion that drawing ability of children could measure intelligence among people. Consequently, it was supposed that creative potential of an individual could be a means to assess a level of human intelligence. Consequently the way information is perceived, cognized and transferred by an individual and other cognitive processes could be explained after art activities were conducted. Later on, this supposition was developed and it turned into a powerful psychiatric therapy. The most known representative is Freud recognized. This great philosopher and scientist paid attention to human unconsciousness (Stuckley, 2010). That’s why art therapy is preferential in mental trauma and mental disorders treatment. Unconsciousness of patients may be injured and some individuals may find it difficult to express it in words. It is much easier for such kind of people to reflect injures of the inner world in images or figures. Another group, to which art therapy can be successfully applied, is small children who can’t speak. Emotional disorders make children reserved very often. Children paintings can be a perfect example of the most exact expression of children feelings and emotions. Very often when children are oppressed at home, they depict them as small figures in comparison with others depicted in their paintings. Secondly, children depict their favorable members of family as the largest ones though huge dark images may signify a child’s fright before a certain family member or family in general. Generally speaking, children’ paintings are great to discuss family relations in a certain family. Thus art painting can be interpreted as a means of communication between reserved children and art therapists/consultants/psychologists. Drawing, artistic molding, making photographs and other art activities can raise hurt feelings and emotions from inner world on the surface (Stuckley, 2010). A therapeutic effect of art can be interpreted as a necessary communicative means for a patient. Art therapy is a perfect initial stage of treatment while it helps emotions to be released. Further on psychotherapy or other kinds of medical treatment may be added. For example if art treatment is applied in cases of bipolar and posttraumatic stress disorders, it is directed on self-awareness and cognitive abilities increase and development next to stress reduction and ‘healing the emotional effects of traumatic experiences’ (Stuckley, 2010). For example, if a patient reflects his emotions and feelings in his paintings, he creates a ‘visible enemy’ who can be defeated in the future. When a patient looks at negative emotions embodied in certain images he may feel easier and his frights can be scattered of. Moreover, art therapy can beneficial in helping children with learning disabilities. Advantages of art therapists are their multi-sided training in art and therapy. Consequently, they are able to help people to overcome a wide range of ailments and illnesses not only psychological or emotional, physical ones. Thus art therapy may be effective in pain release, facilitate tension and anxiety (Waller, 1992). At this point it is necessary to mention that not only painting can be favorable in art therapy. Artistic molding is another perfect means to overcome depression or to release anxiety. In a molded image, a patient may embody his negative attitude to someone, or his anxiety. In the process of molding fingers nerve-endings are stimulated and at the same time negative emotions are ‘squeezed’. Social difficulties experienced by individuals can be cured via art therapy as well. Human shyness, social malfunctioning and other socially preventive factors can be dealt with in case art therapy is applied (Jones, 2005). Consequently, a therapeutic effect of art therapy is evident on psychological, emotional and physical levels. Conclusion This fact proves that art therapy is a new stage in medicine development. Art therapists are mediators between inner world of an individual and a turbulent reality. Creative minds of art therapists and their different approaches to every patient inspire their patients so that the latter can become calm and self-confident people. Art therapists make patients confident in their abilities to establish successful social relationship, increase their cognitive abilities. Basically, art therapists show humane attitude to their patients and it is necessary to devote more researches to this ‘new paradigm’ of art therapy. Books and researches in art therapy should be written in a creative manner. A creative spirit is an important factor of such kind of works. Art therapy is a paradoxical combination of science and art, which have been often regarded to be incompatible, but this science dispels this myth and we clearly see that scientific and creative combination leads to a creation of effective field such as art therapy. Works cited 1. Jones, P., 2005. The Arts Therapies: A Revolution in Healthcare. Routledge. 2. Stuckley, H. L, and Nobel, J., 2010. The Connection between Art, Healing, and Public Health: A Review of Current Literature. American Journal of Public Health, pp. 254-263. 3. Waller, D., Gilroy, A., 1992. Art Therapy: A Handbook. Open University Press. 4. Winnicott, 1982. Playing and Reality. Routledge. Read More