Art Therapy– A mental health profession that combines psychology with creative activities such as drawing and painting. This is done to improve a person’s emotional, mental, and cognitive health.
That’s the basic definition of this field, but we can go further. I want do do this through clear bullet points though:
- The purpose of art therapy is for a person to express emotions that they cannot easily explain or reveal.
- It can also help with facing trauma and grief.
- Art therapy can help relieve anxiety and depression by granting a sense of control.
- Pain can be managed by taking attention and focus away from the source.
- Art therapy has been used for cancer patients, veterans, and patients who are forced to live in isolation.
- No prior experience or knowledge of the art style is needed.
- The type of art is typically the visual arts such as drawing, painting, and sculpting.
- Can increase self-esteem, memory, and mental clarity.
- Art therapy can help a person learn to recognize and change harmful behaviors.
- They do have dance, drama, and musical therapies.
That’s all of the stuff I found across the board. Wasn’t sure about things that I only found on a single site. If anyone knows more about this then please share in the comments.
Legends of Windemere 
Art therapy has also been combined with a form of CBT for trauma and PTSD patients. Thanks for doing this post.
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You’re welcome. I heard of it being used for ptsd. Not CBT trauma.
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Works well with some suffering from PTSD and also prisoners in our penal system.
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I’ve heard. Great uses of it.
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A great list. I only know people who were studying to be art therapists. I can’t add anything to the list. Looks very thorough.
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Thanks.
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This might appeal to me as a career choice if I were just staring out again.
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I was thinking the same thing. Would have been good to know when I was in college.
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A complete list, Charles.
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Thanks.
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The great thing about this therapy is that it can be adapted to any ability level. So if someone has arthritis or something that makes it hard to hold the pen or brush, you can try different media until you learn what works.
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I believe there are paint brushes for those with arthritis. So this therapy can also give people access to accommodations and adjusted gear.
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