Art therapy has been around since the 1940’s. However, it has only recently begun to gain traction as a legitimate form of therapy in recent years. The term “art therapy” was coined by British artist Adrian Hill. He began to notice the emotional and possibly therapeutic benefits of art. The field began to grow in both Europe and the United States throughout the forties and fifties. This growth was aided by psychologists and practitioners such as Margaret Naumberg and Edith Kramer. In 1969, the American Art Therapy Association (AATA) was founded. It began to educate, regulate, and credential art therapists across the country.
Art therapy is defined as:
Art therapy is an integrative mental health and human services profession. It enriches the lives of individuals, families, and communities through active art-making, creative process, applied psychological theory, and human experience within a psychotherapeutic relationship. Art therapy is facilitated by a professional art therapist. It effectively supports personal and relational treatment goals. Additionally, it addresses community concerns. Art therapy improves cognitive and sensorimotor functions and fosters self-esteem and self-awareness. It also cultivates emotional resilience, promotes insight, enhances social skills, reduces and resolves conflicts, and advances societal and ecological change (AATA, 2017).
Essentially, it is a creative and therapeutic process facilitated by a Master’s level clinician. It can be used successfully with any population. However, it has been found to be extra effective with populations who are non-verbal or who find it difficult to verbalize emotions, feelings, and thoughts.
How and why does art therapy work?
That is a good question. Art Therapy has been struggling to prove itself for generations, with primarily expert opinions and qualitative studies. Researchers have found it difficult to specify and develop quantitative studies for such an objective and personal process. However, in 2015, researchers Haeyan, van Hooren and Hutchemaekers compiled and analyzed years of data, interviews, and artwork of clients with personality disorders. The analysis provided insight into positive changes in behavior, and improvements in emotion and impulse regulation. Positive steps towards personal integration, improved perceptions and self-perception were also noted. There was a noticeable difference in insight and comprehension. Overall, the researchers found art therapy to be an inherently positive experience.
Unfortunately, art therapy still lacks proper research and evidence. Therefore, it is not considered a valid form of therapy across the board. However, each and every day, an art therapist goes out into the world and makes a positive change in someone’s life.
If you are interested in learning more, feel free to visit https://arttherapy.org/. As always, if you can’t figure it out on your own, there are professionals, like us, to help guide you. You are still strong and valuable if you ask for help.
Art Therapists
Kayla Ruttinger
Marte Marini
Alison Maples
Emily Kibbe
