Art therapy

A distinct discipline, art therapy (not to be confused with arts therapy, which includes other creative modalities such as drama therapy and music therapy) is one that incorporates creative methods of expression through visual art media. Originally originating in the realms of art and psychotherapy, art therapy is a creative arts therapy profession with a wide range of definitions.

Using art therapy is done in a number of different ways. Analysis-based art therapy is the first of them. Analytic art therapy is founded on ideas that originate in analytical psychology, and in certain instances, psychoanalysis. Aspects of analytical art therapy that are focused on the client and the therapist include the concepts that are conveyed between the two of them via the use of art. Using art therapy in a psychotherapeutic setting is another option. With this method, the psychotherapist and their verbal interpretation of their clients' artwork take centre stage. The last lens through which art therapy might be seen is as a therapeutic medium. Because some art therapists who use art as therapy think that verbal analysis of a client's artwork is unnecessary, they emphasise the process of creating the art rather than its final product. Every method to art therapy, no matter how varied, involves the client embarking on a journey to explore their inner thoughts and feelings via the use of paint, paper and pen, clay, sand, fabric, or other media with the art therapist's assistance.

In order to increase cognitive and sensory motor function, as well as self-esteem, awareness of one's own feelings, and emotional resilience, art therapy may be used. Moreover, it may be useful in settling disagreements and decreasing suffering.

In addition to person-centered, cognitive, behavioural, Gestalt, narrative, Adlerian, and family methods, contemporary art therapy incorporates a wide range of additional techniques. Humanism, creativity, resolving emotional issues, increasing self-awareness, and personal progress are all elements of art therapy, according to its founders.