The Components of Art Therapy

According to Dryden et al. (1992), the concept of art therapy is essentially based in the image and the progression of this method permits the occurrence of a transaction between three critical components of this model. Respectively these components are known as the creator or patient, the artifact, and the therapist. The aims of art therapy align with other processes of therapy whereby; the therapist engages his/her expertise to allow the patient’s unconscious feelings to travel to a conscious state. Once the unconscious emotions of the creator attain a conscious level, the application of art therapy principles allows the therapist to assess these emotions, feelings, attitudes and behaviors accordingly (Dryden et al. 1992).
In order to execute the recommendations of art therapy, therapists are equipped with several skills and expertise, which permit them to establish a link between the areas of art and therapy for the benefit of the creator. The key abilities of art therapists however, encompass a comprehensive understanding of the processes that are involved in art. These abilities involve expertise in the realm of symbolic communication and the ability to maintain an environment where patients feel secure and protected. This sense of security encourages them to convey powerful feelings and emotions that might remain sheltered in a dissimilar situation (Dryden et al. 1992).
Many individuals who have little knowledge of the conceptual and ideological basis of art therapy often establish a strong correlation between the therapeutic dimensions of art, Dryden et al. (1992) outline that these benchmarks do not play a critical role in the achievement of the objectives of art therapy. Within this model, the notion of art transcends a...

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...recent years as a result of the extensive research work that is being conducted by scholars and therapists who wish to explore the possibilities that are linked with art therapy. As a social worker, I can apply the recommendations, techniques and principles of art therapy to address the emergence of PTSD and its symptoms in children. I realize I am not a qualified art therapist and can only use the tools to a certain extent. Professionals in this field will be able to execute more sound interventions using art. I can try to provide child with a safe and secure outlet to express the feelings and emotions that they exclusively associate with a past traumatic experience. This would allow the patients to cope with their inner feelings of negativity by shattering the influence of defense mechanisms such as denial and avoidance that may act as barriers to recovery.