By Shannon Halligan, LCAT, Art Therapist
As an Art Therapist, I’m often asked, “What is art therapy and how can it help me?” In terms of training, Art Therapists have a master’s degree and clinical training with clients. Some states have licensure for Creative Arts Therapists and there is post-graduate clinical hours required to obtain licensure.
Art therapy, sometimes called creative arts therapy, promotes self-expression and self-discovery. It helps people process and understand their emotions, improve their ability to cope with problems, and develop useful insights.
Through the creative process of art making, people are encouraged to express and understand their emotions. Images, photos, and drawings may take the place of verbal communication in art therapy, which is why it can be so helpful for someone with autism, who may have limited verbal ability, children, teens or even people who simply don’t feel comfortable exclusively talking through their problems.
Many of us do not have the language to easily express our emotions. Talking about trauma may be too difficult, but drawing or expressing it with images may be easier. People who are visual learners may benefit from such a visual-based, hands on therapy to aid in their healing. And those who have only tried talk therapy may benefit from trying this new way of developing self-awareness and understanding.
Art therapy can show us themes that keep recurring in our lives. Symbols will show up as recurring themes. Artwork may identify an area that has previously not been explored with words.
Art Therapy does not require us to intellectualize our raw emotions and experiences, it can also bring unconscious thoughts/beliefs to the surface. Sometimes adults or teens may speak about their issues while creating art, but it is not required in order to benefit from art therapy. That is why it’s so beneficial for children in particular; the experience of making art in itself is therapeutic. Doll-making is creative and expressive for any age. Textures of yarn, fabric and lace allow for a client to explore different textures as well as create a 3-dimensional representation of themselves.
“Art therapy can show us themes that keep recurring in our lives.”
Dolls can be playful, nurturing, interactive, express relationships, promote communication and build self-esteem. One young woman created a doll who had experienced trauma. By creating a doll to take care of, she was able to start to learn what her own needs are and how to build on her self-care skills.
A child with autism expresses favorite colors, textures, and experiences in a mixed media collage. She shows good spatial and organizational skills as well as creativity and positive emotions in her artwork.
Through its focus on the creative process, art therapy is especially helpful for people who have difficulty talking through their emotions and fears, who struggle with changes and transitions, and who have difficulty processing sensory iput. In other words, art therapy gives people with autism a more natural way to communicate their emotions.
Making art can provide structure for a person with autism as they learn cause and effect (mixing red and blue makes purple) and the predictability of exploring multi-step tasks. For example, adding glue to paper lets us attach photos, applying paint to paper makes marks that stay in place, etc.
Sometimes, a final product is not even created in art therapy, but a client may engage in mixing paint, or explore sensations in clay, fabric, and tactile objects. The emotions that arise during this process are still expressed in a visual way.
Art also helps us express difficult emotions and experiences. art therapy is not meant to be just a “pretty picture.” This collage from an art journal expresses negative and difficult emotions about a relationship. By allowing the client to express anger, sadness, loss, and trauma through artwork, the client works toward a healthier emotional well-being.
The materials in Art Therapy are endless and exciting. They can be more than just drawing or painting. Part of my role as an Art Therapist is to bring unique and creative items to clients that they otherwise would not have an opportunity to explore.
About the Author:
Shannon Halligan, MA, LCAT, received her M.S. in Art Therapy from Nazareth College of Rochester. She holds a New York state license in Creative Arts Therapy (L-CAT) and has been in private practice for many years, offering individual and group sessions. She specializes in treating clients of all ages with Autism, developmental delays and learning disabilities. along with working with clients who want to understand themselves better, find creative problem solving techniques, and use art as an outlet and coping tool.
