Understanding Art Therapy

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There are many physical and mental requirements needed to become a successful art therapist. Whether it’s effective or not depends on what way the methods are used and how each individual is approached with their specific disability. Being objective and having a sufficient amount of patience is vital in this healing process. Visual art therapists use various effective methods to heal mentally deficient and visually impaired patients. To be able to understand this healing process better, it is important to comprehend what art therapy is. Although the title might be misconstrued and hard to define, art therapy is used in many practices to benefit mental and physical rehabilitation. Even though the professional view in art therapy is new, the thought of using art therapy as an alternative healing method is old (Malchiodi 978). Namburg defines art therapy by claiming how it “bases its methods on releasing the unconscious by means of spontaneous art expression…”(qtd. in Ulman 40.1). In other words, although we don’t have the means to communicate well when confronted with delicate discussions, our subconscious could use art as means to show hidden emotion that could not be expressed verbally. Bethli believes art therapy contrasts from any other form of creative therapy such as dance and music; art stays visible.(Carrigan 32). Which also allows one to refer back to their previous works as a therapeutic exercise. There’s a lot of physical and emotional investment toward this line of career. Finding a balanced line between professional and personal feelings proves to be important. Speaking to an art therapist allowed me to answer questions such as how one deals with the emotional strain this job comes with. The answer was not bringing y... ... middle of paper ... ...jet, Rosalyn. “The No-Fail Safe Method of Painting and Drawing For People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired.” American Journal of Art Therapy 32 (1993): 22-25. Web. Carrigan, Jeanne. “Painting Therapy: a Swiss experience for people with mental retardation.” American Journal of Art Therapy 32 (1993): 53-57. Web. Marriott, Barbara; Margot Perry White. “The impact of art therapy on the life of a woman who was mentally retarded.” American Journal of Art Therapy 30 (1991):10-16. Web. Ryne, Janie. “The Gestalt Approach To Experience, Art, And Art Therapy.” American Journal of Art Therapy 40.1 (2001): 109-120.Web. Short, Jeanette. Personal Interview. 14 March. 2014. Ulman, Elinor. “Art Therapy: Problems of Definition.” American Journal of Art Therapy 40.1 (2001): 16-26.Web.

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