Art Therapy as Alternative Medicine

Growing up, recess may have been the best part of the school day. However, art class was a definite close second. It wasn't a set period during the day, or even during the week. At the teacher's discretion she would announce that everyone would now be doing art. At the time, children just enjoyed the source of self expression. One wonders now, did the teacher notice tempers rising, a lack of communication between her students or just an unwillingness to get along? Did she surmise a bit of art therapy would help to ease those tensions and get all of her students back to a more cooperative nature.

The History of Art Therapy

Carl Jung, although is specifically known to be the founder of analytical psychology, had many forward thinking ideas and theories. One of those theories, Art Therapy, was originated in Freud and Jung's ideas about the unconscious. He believed rooted there, in the unconscious, were symbols and images as the basic form of human communication. The theory continued that this communication could be brought forth through art with a telling source of a patients mental illness.

Research on Art Therapy has continued into the 21^st century as the art of mentally ill patients became a source of interest to psychologists as a tool for diagnosis. Also discovered by educators, at nearly the same time, was the artwork of children and it's tendency to express developmental, cognitive and emotional growth.

Currently, art therapy programs are recognized as a helpful addition along side other therapies. It is believed by many psychotherapy fields to be an important tool used for assessment and treatment.

How Does Art Therapy Work

According to the American Art Therapy Association, "Art therapy integrates the fields of human development, visual art (drawing, painting, sculpture, and other art forms) and the creative process with models of counseling and psychotherapy." It is a tool used with people of all ages to diagnose and care for depression, anxiety as well as other forms of mental and emotional ills. The artistic process aids people in resolving conflict, managing their behavior, obtaining insight and achieving increased self-esteem.

Past scientific studies have shown that both art and music change a person's brainwave patterns as well as changing their autonomic nervous system, brain neurotransmitters and hormonal balance in positive ways. Participating in art seems to change a person's outlook to one of hope and a belief in their ability to cope with difficulties.

The Art Therapy Profession

Today there are educational institutions offering studies in the pursuit of becoming an art therapist, yet currently there are less than 5000 in the U.S. Board certifications is offered for this profession through the Art Therapy Credential Board (ATCB). An art therapist works as part of a team with other health care professionals to determine a patients diagnosis and best source of therapeutic recovery. Other art therapists work in a private practice setting, independently.

For further information regarding art therapy education or practices contact:

American Art Therapy Association (AATA) at www.arttherapy.org

Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) at www.atcb.org