After the wave of disbelief towards less conventional forms of treatment, such as art therapy, those new techniques, have been estabished. Currently, a large amount of literature covers both the theoretical and the practical aspect of art therapy, a term extensively defined and redefined.
In short, the dominant argument for therapy that includes art- related techniques is that those can be used as means of expression, through which an emotional catharsis may ultimately occur. To elaborate, art can either function as a representation of mental imagery and state, something closely inspected through a psychodynamic theoretical background, or as a healing process by itself.
In extend, it has been argued that art therapy is a suitable form of treatment for plenty of different populations, varying from individuals with pathology, to elderly with dementia, even to healthy individuals. It is true that many have detected the benefits that this form of treatment may provide- this is revealed in the vast literature and in front of the eyes of plenty clinicians. On the other hand though, is there a chance that art therapy may not be suitable for everyone?
It seems that a tiny gap in the literature appears: we know all about those who have been helped by art therapy, but what about those who have not?
Through experience, three reasons have appeared that may prevent someone from achieving their goals though art therapy: their personal skills, the setting, and the tastes of each.
When it comes to skills, it is widely accepted that there is no need for any. It is true that despite using the term 'art' it is not expected for the clients/ patients to create art. Each may use the dexterity available, and make something that is expressive of the inner thoughts and emotions (thus could be therapeutic). Still, individuals who lack the skill to create something may ultimately feel worse upon recognizing their weaknesses. Once, an elderly lady with dementia threw her crayons on the floor and declared feeling upset, incapable, and filled with sorrow that she could not even keep her hands steady, and the colors within the lines. Perhaps, therefore, those who have recently lost a skill and are able to observe that, may not be ready to earn the benefits that art therapy has to provide. Overall, mental images and inner emotions can not always be represented by the skill in hand, and that may prevent someone from devote themselves to art therapy.
The setting also plays an important role in the ultimate effect of art therapy. Returning to the basic premises, expression is the key: the person should be able to open up through the interaction with art. Yet if the setting does not allow for an in depth sharing, for example in a short- term therapy or in a very large group, the person may not be able to take the activities seriously and engage effortfully in them. Investing in a therapy, any therapy, meaning that the person knows they could get something in return- achieve their goals. If the amount of what the person offers to the therapy (expression in this case) is disproportionate to the amount of what he/ she gains (a psychotherapeutic change), then the individual will not be able to relax and work with the self and the problem adequately and energetically.
Finally, most clinicians and theorists forget that individuals, aside from conditions, therapies and goals, have a personality, surrounded by their own tastes. How can a person who despises classical music benefit from a music therapy session of that type? How can one who does not comprehend abstract forms engage in a session of discussion of modern paintings? Simply enough, if the person has at least a tiny interest for the activity and its means, they have the possibility to benefit from it. Otherwise, it may be better to follow another approach, since they will never be able to truly care for the therapy, and will not enjoy any part of it.
Just as any other form of treatment, art therapy has a lot to offer, but not to everyone. This does not minimize in any way its effectiveness but it opens new horrizons, especially for groups in any setting, where combining the needs and desires of plenty is challenging. Despite that art therapy has evolved and been recognized a lot so far, it still has a long way to go, and plenty of new roots to explore.
In short, the dominant argument for therapy that includes art- related techniques is that those can be used as means of expression, through which an emotional catharsis may ultimately occur. To elaborate, art can either function as a representation of mental imagery and state, something closely inspected through a psychodynamic theoretical background, or as a healing process by itself.
In extend, it has been argued that art therapy is a suitable form of treatment for plenty of different populations, varying from individuals with pathology, to elderly with dementia, even to healthy individuals. It is true that many have detected the benefits that this form of treatment may provide- this is revealed in the vast literature and in front of the eyes of plenty clinicians. On the other hand though, is there a chance that art therapy may not be suitable for everyone?
It seems that a tiny gap in the literature appears: we know all about those who have been helped by art therapy, but what about those who have not?
Through experience, three reasons have appeared that may prevent someone from achieving their goals though art therapy: their personal skills, the setting, and the tastes of each.
When it comes to skills, it is widely accepted that there is no need for any. It is true that despite using the term 'art' it is not expected for the clients/ patients to create art. Each may use the dexterity available, and make something that is expressive of the inner thoughts and emotions (thus could be therapeutic). Still, individuals who lack the skill to create something may ultimately feel worse upon recognizing their weaknesses. Once, an elderly lady with dementia threw her crayons on the floor and declared feeling upset, incapable, and filled with sorrow that she could not even keep her hands steady, and the colors within the lines. Perhaps, therefore, those who have recently lost a skill and are able to observe that, may not be ready to earn the benefits that art therapy has to provide. Overall, mental images and inner emotions can not always be represented by the skill in hand, and that may prevent someone from devote themselves to art therapy.
The setting also plays an important role in the ultimate effect of art therapy. Returning to the basic premises, expression is the key: the person should be able to open up through the interaction with art. Yet if the setting does not allow for an in depth sharing, for example in a short- term therapy or in a very large group, the person may not be able to take the activities seriously and engage effortfully in them. Investing in a therapy, any therapy, meaning that the person knows they could get something in return- achieve their goals. If the amount of what the person offers to the therapy (expression in this case) is disproportionate to the amount of what he/ she gains (a psychotherapeutic change), then the individual will not be able to relax and work with the self and the problem adequately and energetically.
Finally, most clinicians and theorists forget that individuals, aside from conditions, therapies and goals, have a personality, surrounded by their own tastes. How can a person who despises classical music benefit from a music therapy session of that type? How can one who does not comprehend abstract forms engage in a session of discussion of modern paintings? Simply enough, if the person has at least a tiny interest for the activity and its means, they have the possibility to benefit from it. Otherwise, it may be better to follow another approach, since they will never be able to truly care for the therapy, and will not enjoy any part of it.
Just as any other form of treatment, art therapy has a lot to offer, but not to everyone. This does not minimize in any way its effectiveness but it opens new horrizons, especially for groups in any setting, where combining the needs and desires of plenty is challenging. Despite that art therapy has evolved and been recognized a lot so far, it still has a long way to go, and plenty of new roots to explore.
Literature: N. Tsergas, 2014. Therapeutic Approaches through Art, Athens, Topos; M. Pourkos, 2015. Lived Experience and Arts- Based Qualitative Research Methods: Epistemological- Methodological Issues and New Perspectives, Athens, Nisides.
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