Art Therapy As a Medium for Sister Connectivity
Art Therapy can be done in either a one-on-one setting with an art therapist or in a classroom-type setting with other clients. It is important to note that each art therapist has different techniques and approaches.
Art therapy provides insight into subconscious processes, fostering deeper empathy and connection between therapists and clients. Here are a few of the benefits of art-making:
Take up space
Art therapy, or art as medicine, is a form of psychotherapy that uses artistic processes to promote healing and self-discovery. It is a powerful tool for women seeking connection and support during their journeys toward emotional, psychological, and spiritual well-being.
The meditative nature of art-making can help reduce stress and enhance mood. It can also foster an increased sense of connection with others, especially for those who struggle with verbal expression. For example, a woman with dissociative identity disorder might use art to create characters who represent each of her different alters, or a person suffering from PTSD might depict the trauma in a drawing to better understand their own experiences and process.
Research suggests that the cognitive stimulation resulting from art-related activities can improve memory, and enhance overall mental health and well-being. One fascinating example is a patient with dementia who experienced remarkable improvements in his ability to recall past memories after engaging in art therapy sessions.
In addition, many women find comfort and strength in creating art with other women. For this reason, art therapy can be a helpful tool for women in the midst of treatment. In fact, one study found that art therapy reduced anxiety and depression in women by increasing social support.
Be validated
Art therapy is a safe space for individuals to express their inner thoughts, feelings and experiences. It is a form of self-care that helps to reduce anxiety, improve emotional regulation, and promotes mental health. It can help people practice being content in the moment by slowing their mind down and focusing on one thing that brings them joy. It also helps to develop communication skills and promote mindfulness thinking.
The creative process of making art is known to stimulate the brain on several levels, including the cognitive and symbolic level. This is because generating images activates a part of the brain called the frontal cortex, which is responsible for abstract and analytical thought. It can also help to develop empathy because it is a non-verbal way of communicating.
When individuals participate in art therapy, they have an opportunity to see their own creations and make connections to them on a deeper level. It can be helpful for individuals to see their own artwork as a representation of themselves and the things that are important in their lives.
The art-making experience can help to validate a person’s uniqueness, as well as their ability to solve problems. This can be an empowering and confidence-building activity, especially for those who have been made to feel inferior or devalued in their previous life experiences.
Grow as individuals
Using art to express feelings can be especially useful for those who may struggle to communicate verbally. In fact, it has been shown that people with severe memory loss can see improvements in their recalling past memories after engaging in art therapy. This can help people cope with a wide range of conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, depression, anxiety, and even PTSD.
Art therapy also helps individuals heal trauma by tapping into the part of the brain where memories and experiences are stored. Studies have found that individuals who have experienced trauma often have difficulty describing their experiences and emotions verbally. Creating artwork can help them communicate those experiences and emotions to others, which can lead to emotional healing.
A study done on adolescent girls found that art therapy significantly increased body image and self-esteem and decreased anxiety, social immaturity, externalizing problems, and emotional instability. The participants in the art therapy group also saw decreases in aggression, somatic symptoms, and dissociative symptomatology.
Art therapy can be used in a variety of ways, from guided imagery to mandala drawing. Art therapy can also be used in a group setting to foster feelings of community, empathy, and support. In addition, the problem-solving aspects of art therapy can keep the brain active and promote mental health. Regardless of what style or medium an individual chooses to use in their art, the benefits can be profound.
Be supported
Art therapy uses the transformative potential of artistic expression to promote emotional, psychological and spiritual growth. It is a form of psychotherapy that thoughtfully harnesses and magnifies art’s inherent therapeutic qualities in combination with knowledge of human development and psychology to produce targeted therapeutic change.
Self-empowerment and confidence building: As individuals learn new artistic techniques, witness their own creative growth, and connect with other art therapy participants they build self-confidence and a sense of power and purpose. Art therapy can also be used to explore subconscious imagery and emotions that are difficult to verbalize.
Trauma resolution and post-traumatic growth: Art therapy has been shown to have profound effects on trauma processing and recovery. It provides a safe and non-judgmental space for individuals to externalise and make meaning of their traumatic experiences, thereby paving the way for emotional healing.
Structured and informal: Individuals are able to work freely with art materials/techniques that can be tailored to their needs, such as free art expression, guided imagery, collage/mixed media, and painting/drawing. Group art therapy sessions are also a great place to build a community of support and empathy as individuals share their art and work together. The art therapist provides a non-interpretive approach to the artwork, encouraging individuals to explore and discover their own personal meanings within each piece of art.
Art Therapy can be done in either a one-on-one setting with an art therapist or in a classroom-type setting with other clients. It is important to note that each art therapist has different techniques and approaches. Art therapy provides insight into subconscious processes, fostering deeper empathy and connection between therapists and clients. Here are a…