By: Evelyn Zagula
“Art washes from the soul the dust of everyday life” - Pablo Picasso
Art – as a general hobby and interest – appeals to those who are looking for creative entertainment when feeling bored during their free time. However, art is also a therapeutic outlet that is exceptionally effective in guiding and improving numerous mental illnesses. Art therapy has gained popularity and credibility over the recent years, and has shown extreme success in promoting the overall wellbeing of people of all ages.
Art therapy includes various mediums such as painting, sculpting, drawing, and music. The way that people express themselves through their art can say a lot about their emotions, thoughts, and mental state; which is something that Art Therapists look for to assess and evaluate their patients.
Art therapists are trained to work in a variety of settings such as hospitals, psychiatric, and rehabilitation, as well as in private practice. Those who are most helped by art therapy are children and adolescents because of the many benefits it offers to their developing minds, but it has also shown immense aid to older adults, veterans, and those with chronic health issues. In fact, people diagnosed with schizophrenia and dementia specifically, often enjoy and benefit from artistic activities as it offers the opportunity for non-verbal expression while reducing agitation.
Benefits of Art Therapy:
Increases awareness and orientation
Develops intrapersonal skills
Explores and provides insight into traumatic experiences
Instills constructive techniques to self manage
Decreases frustrations while increases attention span
Helps manage thoughts and emotions of those with anxiety, depression, paranoia, addictions, and relationship issues while also sustaining a sense of wellness of those who are mantally well
The Scientific Evidence Behind the Effectiveness of Art Therapy
Researchers have studied the effects of visual arts on neural circuits and neuroendocrine markers to prove that art promotes health wellness and fosters adaptive responses to stress. Cognitive neuroscientists use brainwave technology and biofeedback to visually see our mind’s response to the arts.
A new field of research called neuroaesthetics, which is the scientific study of the neurobiological basis of the arts, found that creating art reduces cortisol levels – markers for stress – which ultimately induces positive mental states.
In conclusion, art therapy has been incredibly beneficial to people of any age, whether they are struggling with mental illness or have an overall positive state of mental health. Numerous studies back up the scientific reasons for its successes and in addition to this evidence, art therapists are able to keep progress and evaluate the improvements of their patients through their actions and physical responses to their art.
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