Arts Therapy
Since ancient times the arts have been used to communicate, to celebrate, and to heal. In recent times there has been a surge of interest in, and research into the relationship between the arts and therapy. There are two main ways in which the arts and therapy relate, one is the arts “as” therapy, that is, simply by engaging with creative activities we express ourselves, have fun and feel better. The other is the arts “in” therapy, that is, the use of the creative arts within psychotherapy, to assist in expression of feelings, an aid to insight, and a powerful means of discovering new ideas and trying out more productive behaviours. Arts therapists may work in one or several arts modalities and are able to utilise varied theoretical psychotherapy frameworks in which they feel comfortable to work including Humanistic, Gestalt, Cognitive Behaviourial Therapy, Psychodynamic, Systemic, Psycho-educational and Integrative approaches. Arts Therapy (NZ) Trust offers programmes and classes in the arts therapies with both of these approaches, as well as providing the centre from which other modalities practice.
The Trust also offers individual and group therapy in a range of creative arts therapies, for all ages and all abilities with trained, registered professionals.
There are also several therapists working with a specialised focus on children and young people.
How Arts Therapy works
A vast amount of human experience is felt and expressed non-verbally, and finding ways to make meaning of it is often more complex than words alone can convey. Because the creative process works in a “non-linear” way, it accesses images, sensations, memories, and ideas that we would not arrive at through analytic thinking or the censoring mind. Arts Therapy differs from the traditional arts in that the emphasis is on using the creative process rather than on the end product and differs from traditional talking therapies in that the client is doing and making rather than thinking and explaining. Words only describe what we already know, so by leaving talking until after the creative work is done, something new can happen.
In Arts Therapy it is our real life experiences that feed our art, and our art informs the real issues in our lives, and thus a flow or feedback system can be formed sometimes called the Life/Art process. It is important for clients to observe and make meaning from whatever they do or create during a session. It is the ‘here and now’ reality of authentic life experiences that is of interest, rather than artistic form or technique.
During arts therapy the therapist and client/s develop a strong collaborative relationship, with clear boundaries and goals. An arts therapist who focuses on visual art forms may provide a client or group with materials such as drawing, painting, clay and collage to use to express their feelings. A therapist who specialises in movement may introduce activities to release tension and anxiety, and to increase awareness of the relationship between the body and emotions. A drama therapist can help a client try out new roles, new ways of being in relationship and to be more playful. A rhythm therapist works with instruments such as drums and percussion to explore how rhythm can be used for stress relief, for building self-confidence and for communication.
Many arts therapists use a combination of the techniques, as often the interplay of different modalities assists the process of change and growth. Arts therapy is intuitive, spontaneous, and highly personalized. It allows for the greatest amount of creativity and self-expression within a structured and disciplined process.
Who can Benefit from Arts Therapy?
Arts therapy is suitable for all ages and all abilities, and can be particularly helpful for those who may be experiencing life changes, trauma, relationship issues, lack of confidence, illness or disabilities causing distress for the individual and for their family. Arts therapy works by contributing to changes in the client’s inner world, and towards the development of a client’s more integrated sense of self, with increased self-awareness and acceptance. It can be very useful when it is difficult to find words to adequately express feelings, or when a person tends to over-verbalise, thus blocking the true emotional and authentic expression of feeling. Through our art we find expression for things that disturb us and for that which we want to celebrate.
How do Arts Therapies help?
- Increase the ability to identify and express feelings that are difficult to discuss or too complex for words alone.
- Stimulate imagination and creativity.
- Discover the power of playfulness and fun.
- Themes and patterns from our lives can be revealed to us.
- The symbols that we create can contain valuable information about our lives.
- When we create positive images through our art and/or enact new movement patterns or roles, we create new maps for ourselves.
- Develop healthy coping and self-care skills.
- Increase the ability to focus on inner experience and to enhance relaxation and ease.
- Increase self-esteem and confidence.
- Identify and clarify issues and concerns.
- Increase communication skills.
- A safe nurturing environment that encourages authentic self-expression.
- Development of self-awareness and confidence.
- Ability to identify blocks to emotional expression and personal growth.
