What is Art Therapy?
Definition of the Profession:
Art Therapy is a human service profession
that utilizes art media, images, the creative
art process and patient/client responses to
the created products as reflections of an individual's development, abilities, personality, interests, concerns and
conflicts. Art Therapy practice is based on knowledge of human developmental and psychological theories
which are implemented in the full spectrum of models of assessment and treatment including educational,
psychodynamic, cognitive, transpersonal and other therapeutic means of reconciling emotional conflicts,
fostering self-awareness, developing social skills, managing behavior, solving problems, reducing anxiety, aiding
reality orientation and increasing self-esteem. Art Therapy is an effective treatment for the developmentally,
medically, educationally, socially, or psychologically impaired; and is practiced in mental health, rehabilitation,
medical, educational, and forensic institutions. Populations of all ages, races, and ethnic backgrounds are
served by art therapists in individual, couples, family, and group therapy formats. Educational, professional and
ethical standards for art therapists are regulated by The American Art Therapy Association, Inc. The Art
Therapy Credentials Board Incl, an independent organization, grants postgraduate supervised experience. The
Registered Art Therapist who successfully completes the written examination administered by the Art Therapy
Credentials Board is qualified as Board Certified (ATR-BC), a credential requiring maintenance through
Continuing Education credits. (copyright AATA, Inc.)
Why choose Art Therapy over traditional talk therapy?
Words have become our primary method of communication, but sometimes words cannot express the
complexity of human emotions. In art therapy, the art produced or image then becomes the spontaneous and
honest voice that communicates our human emotions. The process of making art provides us with a connection
to our inner world that is raw and uncensored, unlike words that can be selectively scrutinized and suppressed.
Art therapy is an effective approach to treatment that provides the opportunity to reach beyond censored
words and unconscious feelings to a deeper understanding of self.
What if I'm not an artist? I can't even draw a stick figure?
If you can make a mark on a piece of paper, you already have the ability to do the art part of art therapy.
Creativity is a natural aspect of being a human being, and we are all creative in unique ways. Just as decorating
your home, writing in a journal, sewing, cooking, or organizing your closet is a way to express creativity and
individuality, creating art is simply another form of expression. In art therapy, expressing emotion through art
making is more important than the finished product, which is different from making art for the purpose of
exhibiting or selling whereby the skillful art product is of primary importance. In short, art therapy is not so
much about "how" you create, i.e, skill; it's more about "what" you create, i.e, authentic expression of internal
self.
What is Iconography?
Iconography is the study of symbols depicted in a work of art. Traditionally, these symbols derive from a
readily recognizable, common currency of cultural or religious experience. For instance, in Western culture, a
cross is a familiar shorthand symbol for Christianity and an obelisk is a generally understood emblem of
dominance. The use of symbols allows the artist to pack a lot of information into a small space. Also, it gives
the artist the flexibility to allude to some piece of personal or shared myth in a minor way--to refer to something
that is meaningful to the artist but that may not merit an entire work of art. For instance, artist, Diego Rivera,
chose the self-fruitful calla lily as the symbol for artist and partner, Frieda Kahlo, and used it extensively in his
work. Even though Frieda's face or figure is absent in his work, her presence is still acknowledged in personal
meaning.
Narrative therapy helps individuals examine, evaluate, and change their "relationship" to the problem with the
assistance of a therapist who acts as an "investigative reporter" by posing questions that help individuals
externalize the problem in order to thoroughly investigate it. In the end, a person's beliefs, skills, principles, and
knowledge will help them regain their life separate from a problem. The investigation also helps individuals
evaluate the problem's influence on their life, which results in the uncovering of unique outcomes or exceptions
to its influences, exceptions that lead to rich accounts of personal values and hope--i.e, a platform of values and
principles that provide support during problem influences and later an alternate direction in life.
The narrative therapist, as an investigative reporter, has many options for questions and conversations during a
person's effort to regain their life from a problem. These questions might examine exactly how the problem has
managed to influence that person's life, including its voice and techniques to make itself stronger. Here the
narrative therapist relies on the principal that although a problem may be prevalent and even severe, it has not
yet completely destroyed the person. So, there always remains some space for questions about a person's
resilient values and related, nearly forgotten events.
Combining art with a narrative approach provides the client with a visual catalog, or investigative account
journal, of his or her belief's, skills, principals, and knowledge strengthening the ability to internalize personal
values and new found direction in life. Creating artwork will also assist individuals with the process of
externalizing the problem by providing a visual record of the problem's shape or evolving form.
Definition of the Profession:
Art Therapy is a human service profession
that utilizes art media, images, the creative
art process and patient/client responses to
the created products as reflections of an individual's development, abilities, personality, interests, concerns and
conflicts. Art Therapy practice is based on knowledge of human developmental and psychological theories
which are implemented in the full spectrum of models of assessment and treatment including educational,
psychodynamic, cognitive, transpersonal and other therapeutic means of reconciling emotional conflicts,
fostering self-awareness, developing social skills, managing behavior, solving problems, reducing anxiety, aiding
reality orientation and increasing self-esteem. Art Therapy is an effective treatment for the developmentally,
medically, educationally, socially, or psychologically impaired; and is practiced in mental health, rehabilitation,
medical, educational, and forensic institutions. Populations of all ages, races, and ethnic backgrounds are
served by art therapists in individual, couples, family, and group therapy formats. Educational, professional and
ethical standards for art therapists are regulated by The American Art Therapy Association, Inc. The Art
Therapy Credentials Board Incl, an independent organization, grants postgraduate supervised experience. The
Registered Art Therapist who successfully completes the written examination administered by the Art Therapy
Credentials Board is qualified as Board Certified (ATR-BC), a credential requiring maintenance through
Continuing Education credits. (copyright AATA, Inc.)
Why choose Art Therapy over traditional talk therapy?
Words have become our primary method of communication, but sometimes words cannot express the
complexity of human emotions. In art therapy, the art produced or image then becomes the spontaneous and
honest voice that communicates our human emotions. The process of making art provides us with a connection
to our inner world that is raw and uncensored, unlike words that can be selectively scrutinized and suppressed.
Art therapy is an effective approach to treatment that provides the opportunity to reach beyond censored
words and unconscious feelings to a deeper understanding of self.
What if I'm not an artist? I can't even draw a stick figure?
If you can make a mark on a piece of paper, you already have the ability to do the art part of art therapy.
Creativity is a natural aspect of being a human being, and we are all creative in unique ways. Just as decorating
your home, writing in a journal, sewing, cooking, or organizing your closet is a way to express creativity and
individuality, creating art is simply another form of expression. In art therapy, expressing emotion through art
making is more important than the finished product, which is different from making art for the purpose of
exhibiting or selling whereby the skillful art product is of primary importance. In short, art therapy is not so
much about "how" you create, i.e, skill; it's more about "what" you create, i.e, authentic expression of internal
self.
What is Iconography?
Iconography is the study of symbols depicted in a work of art. Traditionally, these symbols derive from a
readily recognizable, common currency of cultural or religious experience. For instance, in Western culture, a
cross is a familiar shorthand symbol for Christianity and an obelisk is a generally understood emblem of
dominance. The use of symbols allows the artist to pack a lot of information into a small space. Also, it gives
the artist the flexibility to allude to some piece of personal or shared myth in a minor way--to refer to something
that is meaningful to the artist but that may not merit an entire work of art. For instance, artist, Diego Rivera,
chose the self-fruitful calla lily as the symbol for artist and partner, Frieda Kahlo, and used it extensively in his
work. Even though Frieda's face or figure is absent in his work, her presence is still acknowledged in personal
meaning.
Narrative therapy helps individuals examine, evaluate, and change their "relationship" to the problem with the
assistance of a therapist who acts as an "investigative reporter" by posing questions that help individuals
externalize the problem in order to thoroughly investigate it. In the end, a person's beliefs, skills, principles, and
knowledge will help them regain their life separate from a problem. The investigation also helps individuals
evaluate the problem's influence on their life, which results in the uncovering of unique outcomes or exceptions
to its influences, exceptions that lead to rich accounts of personal values and hope--i.e, a platform of values and
principles that provide support during problem influences and later an alternate direction in life.
The narrative therapist, as an investigative reporter, has many options for questions and conversations during a
person's effort to regain their life from a problem. These questions might examine exactly how the problem has
managed to influence that person's life, including its voice and techniques to make itself stronger. Here the
narrative therapist relies on the principal that although a problem may be prevalent and even severe, it has not
yet completely destroyed the person. So, there always remains some space for questions about a person's
resilient values and related, nearly forgotten events.
Combining art with a narrative approach provides the client with a visual catalog, or investigative account
journal, of his or her belief's, skills, principals, and knowledge strengthening the ability to internalize personal
values and new found direction in life. Creating artwork will also assist individuals with the process of
externalizing the problem by providing a visual record of the problem's shape or evolving form.
Art Therapy
Iconongraphy
Narrative (Art) Therapy
Recording Artist: Bradford Smith
| B |
| C |
| A |
"Three People" by Karen Dawson
