Art Therapy

Art therapy is the use of art creation, or art making, by people who are suffering from an illness or condition within a professional relationship. An art teacher or therapist is directing the art therapy and utilizing it to reflect on the products and the processes and allow those who are taking art therapy to increase awareness of themselves and of others, increase their positive ability to cope with their symptoms, with stress and with traumatic experiences. Through art therapy they are able to enhance cognitive abilities and can more enjoy life through the life affirming pleasure of creating art.

Art therapists are professionals who have been cross trained or dual trained in art and in therapy. They are trained to be knowledgeable about psychological theories, clinical precise, and about human development. They are also trained n spiritual, multicultural and artistic traditions and especially in the healing potential of art. Art therapy is a process by which art is used as a treatment. Art therapists work with people of all ages. Patients can be individuals, couples, groups, families or communities. Art therapists provide their services individually and as members of clinical teams. They work in settings that are diverse and include mental health, rehabilitation, forensic and medical institutions as well as community outreach centers, wellness centers, nursing homes, schools, corporate environments, independent practices and open studios.

One area in which art therapy seems to have strong positive results is in working with autism. Autism is a disorder that is neurobiological in nature and strikes children during their first three years of life. It affects cognition, social interaction and their communication skills. The cause of autism is not yet known, but it is becoming epidemic and some believe that the cause is genetic. Others attribute autism to mercury used as a preservative in vaccines. In the US the annual cost of treating autism is about $90 billion. That could reach up to $400 billion in the next ten years. As incidences of autism rise the stress on the adult service system will increase drastically and the cost of autism will be borne by the government and all taxpayers.

One intervention that helps is art therapy. Art therapists often report being able to break through to autistic children, and parents often see noticeable results in socialization, communication and general behavior. Art therapy is just one of many treatments that show promise.