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Mental Health Month Art Exhibit & Art Therapy Video July 10th
The Greater Binghamton Health Center (GBHC) hosts an annual art exhibit of patient and staff work. Art therapist Wendi Boettcher explains the power of art therapy (video is below):
Filed as Art Therapy Videos Mental Health & Art Therapy | Comments (2)Mental Illness Treated With Art Therapy July 10th
The latest news from Spain is that art therapy helps treat mental illness. The University of Granada recently performed a study that confirms the contribution of art therapy to aid in the treatment of mental disease. Continue reading »
Filed as Mental Health & Art Therapy | Comment (0)Jewish Art Therapy Group Helps Seniors With Self-Expression June 10th
Here’s a gratifying story about how art therapy is helping older adults and seniors find new ways to express themselves. With a combination of art therapy, religion, and various other Jewish themes, the art therapy group at Village Shalom are finding ways to communicate their deepest, and sometimes darkest, feelings…
“Torah Portion Art Therapy” and Older Adults
Drawing on Beliefs and Memories Enriches Lives through Artistic Self-Expression
Across the US, more older adults are experiencing the benefits of self-expression. Recent studies indicate that the arts in general have health benefits including physical, social, and emotional well-being and improvement of symptoms associated with common ailments associated with aging. An art therapy group Continue reading »
Art Therapy Changes Lives of Abused Children June 3rd
Art Therapy Program Heals Hearts and Empowers Young Survivors
Child abuse is widely recognized as a serious problem, not only because it results in long-term trauma reactions, but also because it involves an abuse of power by adults over children in their care. Violence and assault to children results in attachment, mood, and behavioral disorders as well as acute or posttraumatic stress disorders, among other problems. Art therapy, a form of intervention thought to be effective in the treatment of trauma disorders, is being increasingly used to address child abuse and is often a primary form of therapy with children who are recovering from physical or sexual assault, verbal abuse, and neglect. For more than three decades, art therapy has been documented as an important method in addressing the emotional pain of young survivors of violence. Continue reading »
Filed as Child Art Therapy | Comment (0)June Update June 3rd
Hello my loyal readers! Sorry I’ve been slacking on the posts the last few weeks, I went on vacation for a little bit and have been trying to get back in the swing of things. I was down in sunny Florida where I was able to sneak in a little fishing, some fun in the sun, and some well-needed relaxation. Anyhow, just wanted to let you know I’m working on writing some more posts so stay tuned…
Thanks!
Filed as General | Comment (0)Art Therapy Becoming More Accepted, Still A Ways To Go May 14th
Another great article, this one is about Art Therapy and it’s gradual recognition and acceptance. Although it is becoming more and more acknolwedged and accepted, there is still a long ways to go…
You Gotta Have Art
Patients Benefit From Creative Expression
By Carol Strickland - Special to The Washington Post
As health-care costs skyrocket, a down-to-earth approach to healing is emerging, complementing high-tech medicine with high-touch arts.
The approach is based on the assumption that incorporating music, visual art, writing and performance into clinical care can increase feelings of well-being and even improve health — an assumption that medical researchers are beginning to recognize the need to test with evidence-based studies. Continue reading »
Filed as News and Events | Comment (0)Art Therapy & Autism - Creating New Hues May 14th
A great story about autism and art therapy I thought I’d share…Although April has passed, it’s still a poignant article. And why should we only be aware of autism in April anyway? Enjoy!
Art therapy creates new hues in Autism Awareness Month
by Eleanor Perry-Smith
Anxiety, over-stimulation, sensitivity — these are regular feelings for many people who have autism. Feelings many of them can’t express vocally.
April is Autism Awareness Month and aims to speak up for people who have the disability. While public awareness is necessary and helpful, how can it help people, especially children with autism alleviate their frustration? Many families are learning about art therapy as an outlet for kids with autism to speak in other ways. Continue reading »
Filed as Autism & Art Therapy | Comment (0)A Message to Art Therapy Readers May 3rd
Part of my hopes and goals for the Art Therapy Blog is that it becomes a useful resource to anyone on any level with regards to using art in a therapeutic way, including the average person as well as the seasoned art therapist. Whether the site is a resource for general information about art therapy, or whether it is a source for inspiration or new ideas, my hope is that the site can speak to many people at once, without feeling daunting. Continue reading »
Filed as General | Comments (2)Where Does Art End and Therapy Begin? May 3rd
Some people have come to question my use of the term “art therapy” on this site. While there is nothing wrong with this, I feel that this is a topic worth addressing as there may be other readers who feel the same way.
One visitor to the site, Fiona, made the following comment on the benefits page that I’d like to address:
“I can’t help but question the suggestion that art therapy can be learnt and done at home on your own minus the therapist. I believe a significant portion of the therapy in art therapy is the supportive, witnessing and therapeutic safety net that the presence of a qualified art therapist provides. I agree that art work created away from the art therapy environment can be a stress reliever but argue it’s not therapy; just art.”
I am not saying that anyone can learn “art therapy.” Fiona’s interpretation of art therapy may differ from mine. The intrinsic value of therapy is going to be different for everyone and subject to the individual’s needs. Some people may need or want an art therapist…and there is nothing wrong with that. In fact, I’d encourage it if that’s what the individual wants or needs. However, I don’t believe everyone always needs an art therapist present to achieve therapeutic results.
I very much disagree with Fiona’s last statement about art work created away from an art therapy environment not being therapy, just art. I feel like that really undermines what art therapy is about. I know this is a rather cliché approach, but I’m going to pull the dictionary out for the sake of meaning. Continue reading »
Filed as General | Comments (2)
