Art therapy is a way of healing. A relatively new approach, it is fast gaining ground. Jayanthi Madhukar elaborates
Colour the radiant with a colour you feel represents anger. When Sukumaran K was asked to do this in an art therapy session, he wondered how he saw anger as an emotion. There were other emotions in the circle of emotions, from anger, fear, guilt to excitement, surprise and joy. “Ever since I went through a traumatic experience, I have been going to a therapist who suggested that I try art therapy as a way to self-healing,” he said. “There was a trained art therapist who guided me through the sessions and after a couple of sessions, I am looking forward to art therapy.”
Art therapy is the therapeutic use of art making by people who have gone through a trauma or illness and even by people who seek personal development. Using art as therapy is a relatively new way which can help alleviate depression and anxiety. “Some friends suggested adult colouring books but that’s a misconception,” Sukumar said. “Colouring books are good but different from the services of an art therapist who guides people through steps required to heal themselves.”
Searching for one such therapist who would be able to discuss the nuances led to Dr Asha. She is an education scientist, art therapist and “many more but this should do!” Describing art therapy as her passion, Dr Asha said art therapy is a window to the subconscious mind. “There are several clinical aspects and phases of art therapy. I call it the bridge between trauma and wellness.”
According to her, art is a predictive medicine and based on what you draw or paint – you don’t need to have any skills in art – there are seven elements (of art) which will be examined. “We don’t ask any questions about the trauma or anything of the past which will trigger the person.”
Experts have listed some situations in which art therapy can be used. “I was working in a foreign country and for unknowingly being in a situation which led to a heavy fine and possible detention, I suffered from severe stress,” said Dilip T. While Dilip could leave the country without any punishment as such, he was traumatised and that affected his personal life. “I went for art therapy only because a friend had done it,” he said. “In a couple of months, I felt way better. My therapist said that I will slowly get to a point where I can even think of working abroad again.”
Instead of delving into the clinical process of healing, which is best left to professionals, we look at the seven elements of art which could give an insight into the mind of a patient/client, as guided by Dr Asha. “This is just the basic steps in art therapy,” she said. “You will be surprised to see how much we can glean from a basic drawing that you do.”
Initially, an art therapist may ask you to do a simple drawing of yourself. That drawing will be interpreted in the following manner.
Pressure on paper: The pressure on the paper reveals the pressure you put on yourself. More the pressure, there is more stress and a lack of life skills.
Mixed strokes: A variety of mixed strokes – up and down, left to right – shows confusion in the mind. There is a cognitive distraction problem which could perhaps include issues like having a tough time saying no, finding it hard to choose and so on.
Space use: A person using more space on the paper to draw may have a better management of time and space. Someone who uses minimal amount of space could be troubled with a feeling of loneliness and so on.
Choice of colours: Most colours resonate with an aspect of human personality. For instance, red is about passion and the personality of the person could be bold, emotional and full of energy. Usually, a person picks colours that resonate with their personality.
Forms drawn: The forms you choose to draw could be symmetrical or non-symmetrical. It speaks of the personality you tend to be. Some use sharp lines, some use curved lines; each of these indicates an aspect of personality.
Paper access: How would you use paper? Is it in landscape or portrait? People who use portrait alignment are investigative thinkers who need answers for everything. The landscape alignment people are right brain and creative minded. They are exploratory thinkers.
“In therapy, it is important to be able to guide someone according to their personality,” Dr Asha says. “It will be clearer to them and they will be able to process it better.”