Art therapy

What is Art Therapy?

The British Association of Art Therapy, BAAT, defines Art Therapy as "a form of psychotherapy that uses art media as its primary mode of communication".

In turn, the Art Therapy´s Spanish Professional Association, ATE describes Art Therapy as “a profession of the welfare environment that is characterised by the use of media and artistic processes to help to contain and to resolve the emotional or psychological conflicts of people".

Art Therapy is a psychotherapeutic process which helps to contain, explore and resolve emotional and psychological conflicts. Through the use of art media such as drawing, painting, clay modelling and collage, we explore ideas, feelings, thoughts and anxieties.

It is an alternative for people who have difficulty in expressing their emotions, feelings and deeper conflicts or problems in words.

Through the artistic object created, the person begins non-verbal communication in order to confront themselves and to resolve existing conflicts.

Art Therapy also helps to recognise subconscious feelings such as anguish and aggression caused by behaviour which may not be easily understandable or recognisable. The main aim of Art Therapy is the search of the knowledge of oneself, through symbolic contents, metaphors and the freedom of creating an artistic object.

Characteristics

Setting: Creative work takes place with the Art Therapist in a safe, closed environment, free of interruptions. It is in this environment that visual ideas and emotions work hand in hand. You will be encouraged to explore the symbolic meaning of the visual ideas created throughout the art therapist sessions.

This space becomes one of symbolism where everything that occurs is susceptible to reflection and analysis. It is the place where a relationship is formed between the client, the artwork and the art therapist.

Confidentiality: People involved in art therapy workshops are accompanied exclusively by the art therapist. At the end of each session the works created are kept under lock and key in the workshop to maintain confidentiality.

Process: Anybody can participate in an art therapy workshop. Previous experience or expertise in art is not necessary because the dynamic of art psychotherapy resides in the creative process and not in the final result of the work.

Aims

The main objective of Art Therapy is the search of the knowledge of oneself, by means of the symbolic contents, the metaphors and the freedom to create.

By carrying out this work, the following objectives of the Art Therapist are achieved:

To encourage you to express your emotions.
To serve as a support or an anchor point
To increase self-esteem and confidence
To improve your relationships with others.
To encourage psychic, physical, social, and personal improvement.
To improve the quality of life.

These objectives are carried out regardless of the patient’s condition. Conditions may include autism, Alzheimers, children with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders, people with eating disorders such as anorexia, or victims of domestic violence, racism and so on.