Silent Healing: 10 Ways Art Therapy Speaks When Words Fail
Have you ever feel like life's just too heavy to put into words? Like you're drowning in stress and anxiety, but when you try to explain it, it's like your brain hits a roadblock? Trust me, you're not alone. Sometimes, the weight of the world leaves us speechless, desperately searching for some kind of relief. That's where art therapy comes in – a silent hero that speaks volumes when words just can't cut it. Learn more about art therapy here.
“I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way – things I had no words for.”
– Georgia O’Keefe
Art therapy isn't just for artists – it's for everyone. Whether you're an overwhelmed parent, a stressed out professional, an imaginative child, or a senior there's something healing about putting pencil to paper or brush to canvas. Experiencing the benefits doesn't require being an artist. Stick figures are always okay. In fact, it's often the act of creating that's more important than the end result.
Here are 10 ways art therapy can work wonders for your mind and body:
Experience Catharsis in Art Therapy
Ever felt that rush of release after a good cry? Art therapy offers a similar kind of catharsis. Through creative expression, we can let out emotions that we may struggle to verbalize. It's like giving our feelings a voice when words fail us.
Improve Self-Esteem and Self-Worth in Art Therapy
In a world that's constantly telling us to be more, do more, achieve more, art therapy reminds us that we are enough just as we are. As we create, we learn to embrace imperfection and celebrate our unique voice.
Real Life Example
A client I saw frequently became frustrated while attempting to paint. Anything that didn’t go as planned meant the painting was garbage. This client would spend so much time mapping out exactly what they wanted to paint. I noticed they were most content, focused, and excited about their painting while mixing color. So, gradually session by session, I worked with this client to let go of a need to be perfect.
Until one session when this client fell into the enjoyment of mixing colors and creating a messy painting, without a plan in place. Although this was not easy at first, this client expressed the sense of relief that washed over them as they fell into the cathartic experience of painting in full enjoyment without frustration arising. They expressed how “freeing” it was to just mix and paint with color instead of needing to stick to a plan and becoming upset when it wasn’t working out."
Increase Focus during Art Therapy
In a world full of distractions, art therapy helps us sharpen our focus. Whether we're lost in the folds of origami or carefully crafting a collage, the act of creating demands our full attention, giving our busy minds a much-needed break.
Art Therapy Materials Ideas
Try origami, drawing a still life with pencils or coloured pencils, creating a self-portrait or landscape with paint, creating a collage with magazine cutouts, glue, and scissors, or making a patterned knit sweater.
Face Past Traumas during Art Therapy
Let's face it – life can be messy, and sometimes we carry around wounds from the past. Art therapy provides a safe space to confront those traumas and work through emotional triggers. It's like shining a light on the shadows that haunt us, giving us the courage to heal.
Art Therapy Mask Making
During art therapy sessions, art therapist may guide the creation of a mask to help gaining insight while dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), trauma, anxiety, or even self esteem concerns.
Real Life Example: How Art Therapy helps with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Art therapist Melissa Walker is at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE), which is part of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, in Bethesda, Maryland. She created and runs the Healing Arts Program that researches and helps military service members with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and psychological health concerns, such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). See the following article by National Geographic in which service members created masks to reveal their experience of war. (Trigger warning: images and stories are graphic.)
“Art can permeate the very deepest part of us, where no words exist.”
― Eileen Miller
Increase Communication Skills during Art Therapy
Not all conversations happen with words. Art therapy teaches us to communicate through color, shape, and texture. Whether we're expressing joy, sadness, or frustration, our creations become a language all their own. Looking for more help communicating within your relationships? During relationship counseling, I implement art therapy techniques.
Understand Emotions through Art Therapy
Ever tried explaining your feelings and ended up feeling more confused? It's like trying to untangle headphone wires – frustrating! Art therapy gives us the tools to figure out what those emotions even are. It's like a visual compass through the emotional jungle. Art therapy helps us navigate our feelings, turning confusion into clarity.
Art Therapy Idea
List out all the emotions you can think of that you might feel. Express each emotion with one color and a line. Example: Sadness: I chose blue and create a line that is similar to a frown, Anger: I chose red and create a line with sharp edges, similar to a line of shark teeth, or Anxiety: I chose orange and created a line that is frantic with quick jagged squiggles.
Increase Ability to Deal with Life's Changes while in Art Therapy
Life can throw some pretty tough curveballs our way. It can also be hard to deal with those big changes, like moving from college to a career or having your first baby. Art therapy equips us with the tools we need to navigate those challenges with grace and resilience. It can lead us to insight we need to live authentically and find our own unique way to rise above the chaos.
During Art Therapy Sessions
An art therapist might guide you to create a worry brain image to get out whats been on your mind or assist you in creating a timeline to map out big changes in your life.
Relieve Anxiety and Stress during Art Therapy
Ah, the soothing power of art. Whether we're painting, sculpting, scribbling, or doodling the creative process has a way of melting away tension and soothing frazzled nerves. It's like a mini vacation for our minds. I offer anxiety therapy using many art therapy techniques.
Art Therapy Scribble Drawing
Close your eyes and create a scribble on paper. Open your eyes and color in the areas between the scribbles with color that feels best to you. Outline with black marker.
Enhance Mental Health through Art Therapy
Our mental health matters, and art therapy is like a gentle massage for the mind. Whether we're struggling with anxiety, depression, or simply feeling overwhelmed, the act of creating can bring a sense of peace and balance to our inner world.
According to research published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 71% of participants experienced a reduction in anxiety after engaging in creative arts therapies.
Fosters Self-Discovery with Art Therapy
In the space of art-making, we discover hidden truths about ourselves, fostering self-awareness and personal growth. While creating often times our art can teach us something about ourselves. After all, your art work is coming directly from you, the creator.
Promote Overall Well-Being in Art Therapy
At the end of the day, art therapy is about more than just making pretty pictures. It's about nurturing our souls, connecting with our inner selves, and finding joy in the process. It's a reminder that healing isn't always about fixing what's broken – sometimes it's about embracing the beauty of our imperfect, messy, wonderfully human selves.
So why not give Art Therapy a try?
You might just find that healing speaks loudest when words fail to find their voice. I can help through art therapy.
While engaging in art therapy, I recommend working a trained professional who is a Registered Art Therapist (ATR) or Board Certified Art Therapist (ATR-BC).