Art Therapy Summary

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Recommended: Cons of art therapy

This week’s reading focused on benefits of the art therapy in working with the LGBTQ people. It highlights common issues that the art therapy proved to be helpful for when applied in a therapeutic setting. The paper will reflect on stages and models to improve professional practice by addressing the importance of creative expression during coming out process. I was intrigued by this week’s reading about benefits of the art therapy when applied for treating self-expression for the LGBTQ clients. The highlight of the reading was the common issue of coming out and isolation experienced by the LGBTQ clients. The challenge of building the courage to express about one’s sexual identity persists with the LGBTQ members. The fear of guilt and alienation …show more content…

172). The four aspects of the art therapy: permission, limited information, specific information, and intensive therapy are helpful to bring out the underlying feelings of isolation about sexual attraction. The model permits the LGBTQ client to explore and validate his/her identity, and build supportive network of people who do not pathologies their functionality. Through the art therapy the LGBTQ people examine their unique traumatic and abusive issues. The techniques of “self-portraits, collage, group murals, and sculptures” (p. 172) help them to explore their feelings of internalizing victimization, harassment, and power struggles. Nevertheless, it also provides the LGBTQ people an insight to their familial conflicts and fears; feelings of sadness, regret, rejection, disapproval, and shame are also explored. In addition, the symbols and colors of the art therapy help them with reforming their cognitive struggles of internal and external identities. The aspect of the art therapy helps in increasing the personal strength; provide necessary emotional support, and resources. The expression of emotions through art aims to actualize the hidden identity and provide a safe space for expression, which otherwise might be oppressed by some clients (Pelton-Sweet & Sherry,

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