JOIN USHealing through art
Through art and its processes, art therapists help clients develop strong foundational skills and come out of their shell.
Therapists also help to assist the clients in honing their artistic talents as well as their ability to interpret and analyse art and the process of creativity.
Different types of art can be used to treat clients with various problems. Visual arts, dance and drama are used in certain ways by therapists to help clients overcome their difficulties.
Brinda Jacob-Janvrin, a dance therapist says, “Through movement, we explore the emotional difficulties of a person. People of all age groups come to seek therapy. For those who do not want to talk, art therapy is a good option as they learn to use movement and we can then gain access to their thought patterns. The body, mind and soul are inter-related so if one is affected, we can sense changes in the others too.”
Art therapy is a whole new dimension in therapeutic studies. It is now a proven way to reach the subconsciousness for the purpose of healing tougher ailments. It is being used for counseling by therapists, healing, treatment, rehabilitation, and psychotherapy.
Through art, one is guided to find a deeper understanding of oneself. Another medium for art therapy is drama. Maitri Gopalakrishna, who helps her clients through drama therapy says, “I use drama which includes clay therapy, talk therapy, puppetry, theatre games and mask work. I work with clients of all ages but I enjoy working with children the most. Drama therapy is particularly powerful when it is done in groups. It is a way to gain access to the subconscious, practise new behaviour and integrate new experiences into their lives. Through the process, clients are slowly able to regulate their behaviour or make peace with traumatic events. In some instances, even shy children have been able to open up.”
Though it is similar to counselling, it is a completely different approach.
Art therapy is not as widespread or developed as counselling or psychiatric treatment but the reach is getting better. Visual arts that comprise drawing and use of different types of colours are also an integral part of art therapy. Robbert Allenn who practises visual art therapy says, “Whatever is in the subconscious is translated into a drawing or scenery. It gives us an insight into what the individual is going through. Through their art we can sense fear, anxiety, restrictions or obstacles in their behaviour or how they perceive life. Their use of colours, the shades whether dark or light, help in understanding their pattern of thinking. It is a diagnosis tool and we can delve deeper to see the actual problem than what is on the surface.”
Art therapy helps one see the deeper problems than what is shown on the outside. Problems in every phase of life make people depressed or stressed out but a few sessions of art therapy can help the original problem come out and be solved.