Art Therapy is rehabilitative and transformational. Evidence shows how art-making with intention and professionally-informed therapeutic direction engages both the left and right hemispheres of the brain, not to mention the cerebellum, which facilitates coordinated balance and movement. Art-making engages both the motor and sensory pathways of one's neurology. The individual who is engaged in the art-making process is thinking, feeling, processing and responding to the entire experience of Art Therapy when guided by the professionally trained Art Therapist.
Psychiatrists already have strong theories about how art therapy works, especially as it relates to trauma treatment [however, this is also how art therapy works in general, regardless of "trauma"].
"Allan Schore, Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Bio-Behavioral Sciences at UCLA's School of Medicine, says that traumatic and stressful memories are stored in the right hemisphere of the brain, which processes emotions, visual, and non-conscious information."
"The Left Brain controls logical thinking and verbal skills."
"For therapy to be effective, 'It has to get into the right brain,' according to Schore."
"Creating art is a fast way to access the right brain and the emotions stored there."
(LA Times, March 20, 2006)
Art Therapy Engages both the Right & Left Hemispheres of the Brain. Thereby, Art Therapy is a More Powerfully Therapeutic & Transformative Process Than "Regular Old Talk Therapy.
Plus, it can be fun and reflective, nonetheless!
There are several domains of "Self" that are engaged in the process of Art Therapy...
Mental-Cognitive-Intellectual Self: Accesses creativity while developing technical skills through experience of art-making, which enhances knowledge of one's own Self, abilities, and knowledge--both of the artistic media utilized and knowledge of oneself and abilities through this ongoing therapeutic process. Introspection occurs, which lends itself toward the Spiritual and Emotional Self.
Spiritual Self: Has the opportunity to reflect on values and strengths through character and inspired awareness, which develops as the mindfulness-based approach to Art Therapy unfolds, as sessions continue through the guidance of a skilled professional Art Therapist who approaches therapy from an encouraging, exploration, and transformational orientation to art psychotherapy where anything is possible.
Emotional Self: One delves into the exploration of Self and develops insight about one's own feelings during the art-making and reflection process through the scope of Art Therapy. Many times over, an individual finds it difficult to conceptualize or "name" what emotion he or she is feeling or experiencing about a particular theme or relationship. Art Therapy assists the clarification process of emotional-awareness, which is inherent to personal development in this lifetime. An individual becomes stronger through the experience of being able to express one's own experience; thereby, one has an enhanced ability to advocate for oneself and express oneself more clearly when important life decisions and expressions must be made.
Physical Self: The physical act of creating (engaging the neuro-musculo-skeletal system) with imagination, whether concrete or abstract, has the effect of managing stress and regulating the physiology (heartbeat, breathing, and muscle tone) of the body. Physical trauma and deficits may be resolved or rehabilitated toward greater functional outcomes, as well.
Social Self: Art Therapy is an interpersonal experience, which allows and encourages connection with others, either with the Art Therapist, Art Therapy group members, or within the creative act , and of settings with other people, or at community art exhibits--such as at an art gallery or art museum, etc.
Occupational Self: Manual dexterity and integration of neuro-musculo-skeletal system toward meaningful productive activity occurs within an Art Therapy context. New skills may be discovered and developed toward greater and diversified mastery.
Environmental Self: Art Therapy need not be confined to an indoor situation. Think of the artists, photographers, novelists, and poets who have engaged their creative exploration out in the natural world! Aspects of "Eco-Psychology" and therapy may be incorporated as a client's needs determine.
