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Express Yourself For Better Health Whether stressed or ill, patients are beginning to look beyond talk therapy to finger-paints, and it just might be what the doctor orders 
Stressed out, sad and frustrated, but unable to pinpoint why? Maybe those doodles you made while on the phone with your boss mean more than you think, but what exactly lies beneath those jagged lines and spirals? More and more patients are turning to art therapy, a respected, certified form of therapy, to find out. For the most part the healing power of paints and clay is something about which many patients remain skeptical. “Art therapy integrates the fields of human development, visual art and the creative process with models of counseling and psychotherapy,” explains Cathy A. Malchiodi, a spokesperson for the American Art Therapy Association, Alexandria, Va. “It is based on the belief that the creative process involved in artistic self-expression helps people to resolve emotional problems, develop interpersonal skills, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, reduce stress and achieve insight.” Art therapy is used with people of all ages in order to assess and treat Attention Deficit Disorder, Alzheimer’s, autism, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, family and relationship issues, mental and emotional difficulties, physical and neurological problems. “It has shown particular effectiveness with individuals who have experienced trauma,” adds Malchiodi, a licensed professional clinical counselor in art therapy, “such as children who have been abused, adults who have experienced traumatic loss, witnessed a traumatic event or have had a traumatic medical condition such as cancer, and even returning military who may experience posttraumatic stress as a result of their experiences.” Part of the reason art therapy may draw out more reluctant patients is that it allows the individual to naturally create an abstract representation of their feelings rather than being restricted by having to find the proper words to explain their exact state of mind. “Traditional therapy for many people brings to mind ‘talk therapy’ in which the client discusses life issues with the therapist and together they explore the origins of problems and strategies for changing dysfunctional patterns,” says Carol Lambias, MS, a private-practice creative arts therapist in Poulsbo, Wash. “However, many of the problems that plague us have roots in the unconscious areas of our life. Art can reflect aspects of ourselves that we may not be able to put into words, and can be a safe container for expressing emotions that may feel overwhelming.” Although there are no steadfast rules, Lambias explains that different mediums can affect people in different ways. Drawing mediums like pencils, crayons and pens offer control and lend themselves well to mental exploration. Paints are more fluid and emotionally expressive. Collage is a great medium for people who feel self-conscious about their drawing and painting skills. People with developmental disabilities often enjoy practical projects such as making a clay bowl or weaving a scarf. And hands-on mediums, like finger paint and clay work, are more likely to cause clients to regress (revert to earlier stages of development). Yet another medium is touch drawing. This technique involves moving your hands on a sheet of paper that has been placed over a smooth surface of paint; the resulting impressions are seen upon lifting the page. “A multitude of images are born from within, through the touch of the fingertips,” says Deborah Koff-Chapin, an author and artist as well as the founder of the Center for Touch Drawing, Langley, Wash. “What emerges is a series of visual imprints of deep inner states.” One of the benefits of touch drawing is that it can be done even if someone doesn’t have the ability to hold a tool. “It is being introduced to Parkinson’s patients and their caregivers,” says Koff-Chapin, who originated the technique herself in 1974. “Nurses are using it in wellness retreats, and hospital chaplains and hospice workers are incorporating it into their work with patients and their families.” The 12th Annual Touch Drawing Gathering takes place on Whidbey Island on July 13-18, 2008. Art therapy programs are found in hospitals, clinics, public and community agencies, wellness centers, educational institutions, businesses and private practices. But if you want to test out the therapeutic effects of art for yourself right now, choose a theme that’s meaningful to you, advises Lambias, and explore it by making a collage with words and images cut from magazines. You can also create a mandala – geometric designs used to symbolize the universe in Hinduism and Buddhism – using abstract shapes to represent aspects of your theme, or make a symbol or logo for your theme. “Choose positive themes to start and save deeply traumatic issues for times when you have therapeutic support,” says Lambias. “Notice thoughts and feelings that arise, both while you create and over time as you revisit your art work.” “I can’t emphasize enough that you do not have to have any art skills or special talent to benefit from art therapy,” adds Lambias. “Art therapy is about self-expression and self-discovery; the creative process itself is as important as the work produced, sometimes more.” |
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