ART THERAPY

Art therapy is a technique rooted in the idea that creative expression can foster healing and mental well-being. People have been relying on the arts for communication, self-expression, and healing for thousands of years.

Doctors noted that individuals living with mental illness often expressed themselves in drawings and other artworks, which led many to explore the use of art as a healing strategy.3 Since then, art has become an important part of the therapeutic field and is used in some assessment and treatment techniques.

The goal of art therapy is to utilize the creative process to help people explore self-expression and, in doing so, find new ways to gain personal insight and develop new coping skills. The creation or appreciation of art is used to help people explore emotions, develop self-awareness, cope with stress, boost self-esteem, and work on social skills. As clients create art, they may analyse what they have made and how it makes them feel. Through exploring their art, people can look for themes and conflicts that may be affecting their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.