For centuries people have known about the benefits of art. The best pieces can allow people to calm themselves or alternatively express inner anguish. In recent times people have learned to specifically train in order to use art for therapeutic purposes and an art therapist is someone who is qualified to do this.
It has been known for some time that people suffering from mental, social or emotional problems often expressed themselves through drawing or other forms of art. Indeed a lot of people rightly or wrongly associate creativity with a different kind of mental perspective. It was only until the mid twentieth century that mental health professionals began to develop a formal frame work that would come to be defined as art therapy.
It was only in the middle of the twentieth century that art therapy began to be more formalised. Nowadays it is recognised as a valid treatment both in terms of being a complement to other forms of treatment and as a method of treating patients in and of itself. It can be used in a variety of different ways and help a variety of different people.
One of the biggest benefits is the fact that some people may not be comfortable with verbal communication. This can often be the case with people who have physical, mental or learning disabilities. Creative work can often allow them to express themselves more naturally, allowing them to reveal themselves in a way that may have been awkward in a one to one discussion.
With art therapy it is possible to get people to open up through creative work. Whether it is through painting, sculpture or some other form of art it is possible for a patient to focus on the creative work rather than having to verbalise it. Indeed in a lot of cases the very act of creativity itself can release stress and be therapeutic.
It is important to emphasise that the end product is not the issue. Anyone making something does not necessarily need to be a brilliant artist in order to produce an artwork that a therapist can interpret. However the therapist will need to have sufficient art qualifications in order to ensure the work is properly supervised.
It should also be said that this may also be combined with other treatments. Often this is an effective way of getting previously reticent people to be more in touch with their emotions and better able to express them. This is often due to the fact that the creative project allows more objective perspective from their emotional issues. Over time this can mean a change in both perception and behaviour.
There are a number of independent therapists and professionals who are part of treatment units. You can find out more about services in your local area by looking online as well as getting recommendations from patients or carers that have used their services in the past. If you are willing to look help is available and even patients who have had severe problems can learn to cope with the right treatment or combination of treatments.
It has been known for some time that people suffering from mental, social or emotional problems often expressed themselves through drawing or other forms of art. Indeed a lot of people rightly or wrongly associate creativity with a different kind of mental perspective. It was only until the mid twentieth century that mental health professionals began to develop a formal frame work that would come to be defined as art therapy.
It was only in the middle of the twentieth century that art therapy began to be more formalised. Nowadays it is recognised as a valid treatment both in terms of being a complement to other forms of treatment and as a method of treating patients in and of itself. It can be used in a variety of different ways and help a variety of different people.
One of the biggest benefits is the fact that some people may not be comfortable with verbal communication. This can often be the case with people who have physical, mental or learning disabilities. Creative work can often allow them to express themselves more naturally, allowing them to reveal themselves in a way that may have been awkward in a one to one discussion.
With art therapy it is possible to get people to open up through creative work. Whether it is through painting, sculpture or some other form of art it is possible for a patient to focus on the creative work rather than having to verbalise it. Indeed in a lot of cases the very act of creativity itself can release stress and be therapeutic.
It is important to emphasise that the end product is not the issue. Anyone making something does not necessarily need to be a brilliant artist in order to produce an artwork that a therapist can interpret. However the therapist will need to have sufficient art qualifications in order to ensure the work is properly supervised.
It should also be said that this may also be combined with other treatments. Often this is an effective way of getting previously reticent people to be more in touch with their emotions and better able to express them. This is often due to the fact that the creative project allows more objective perspective from their emotional issues. Over time this can mean a change in both perception and behaviour.
There are a number of independent therapists and professionals who are part of treatment units. You can find out more about services in your local area by looking online as well as getting recommendations from patients or carers that have used their services in the past. If you are willing to look help is available and even patients who have had severe problems can learn to cope with the right treatment or combination of treatments.
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