Art therapy as a method of psychological help

Art Therapy is a psychotherapy method that uses art to address psychological issues. There are many types of art therapy, including story therapy, sand therapy, music therapy, art therapy, drama therapy, and dance-movement therapy. Each of these types employs different methods of art therapy.

Main Methods of Art Therapy

Art therapy methods are divided into active and passive, individual and group. They can be combined both within a single session and throughout the entire therapy. The psychologist develops a program considering the client's needs, interests, and personality type.

Active methods involve the client's independent creativity, such as drawing or composing music. Passive methods include interaction with pre-existing art objects, such as paintings or music.

Goals and Objectives of Art Therapy

The primary goal of art therapy is to restore psycho-emotional balance and harmonize the personality. Depending on the client's needs, additional goals may include recharging, self-exploration, or potential development.

The objectives of art therapy include:

• Focusing on the client's feelings and needs.
• Creating a safe space for self-expression.
• Finding healthy ways to experience emotions.
• Revealing the client's potential.
• Identifying hidden internal resources.
• Enhancing reflective abilities.

Art therapy helps manage suppressed emotions, boost self-esteem, reduce anxiety, and develop creative thinking.

Directions of Art Therapy

Art therapy directions depend on the tools used:

• Art Therapy - working with drawing, both active and passive;
• Music Therapy - creating or listening to music;
• Dance-Movement Therapy - expressing emotions through dance and movement;
• Puppet Therapy - creating or using puppets;
• Drama Therapy - acting out situations on stage;
• Photo Therapy - creating and exploring photographs;
• Sand Therapy - drawing in sand.
  
  

Multimodal Approaches and Age-Specific Directions

The multimodal approach combines techniques from different directions. Art therapy can be oriented towards children, adults, or elderly individuals, taking into account the characteristics of each age group.

Art Therapy and Other Psychological Approaches

• Dynamic Art Therapy - related to psychoanalysis and works with the unconscious;
• Art Coaching - used for short-term assistance and solving specific tasks;
• Gestalt-Oriented Art Therapy - helps restore personality integrity, close unfinished situations, and meet the client's needs.
  
  

Art therapy emerged in 1938 and has become particularly popular worldwide over the past decade. Today, it is a sought-after, profitable, and promising field. Art therapy is effectively used to address emotional states in both children and adults. This method helps both mentally healthy individuals and those suffering from disorders or borderline conditions. Art therapy can be either short-term or long-term.