1. Origins

One of the interesting things to know about art therapy is that the term was coined by Adrian Hill, a British artist, in 1942. While Hill was recovering from tuberculosis he realized the therapeutic benefits of art. Around the same time that Hill realized the benefits of art, others, such as Margaret Naumburg in the U.S, began using art therapy to help people with psychological problems.

2. Who Benefits

Art therapy can benefit many different people suffering from many different problems. Art therapy can help children with learning disabilities, people with brain injuries, and individuals who are depressed. It can also help those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. According to the American Art Therapy Association, art therapy “helps people resolve conflicts, improve interpersonal skills, manage problematic behaviors, reduce negative stress, and achieve personal insights.”

3. Art Therapy in Practice

Art therapy uses many different types of art media, including drawing, painting, sculpture, and collage. It doesn’t focus on teaching individuals how to draw. Rather, the focus is on depicting inner feelings through art. The goal is not to become an artist, it is to gain self-insight.

4. Becoming an Art Therapist

Art therapists must have a master’s degree in art therapy from a program that is accredited by the American Art Therapy Association. There are many educational requirements for art therapists, some of which include theories of art therapy, counseling, psychotherapy, assessment, and creative development. In addition to these courses, art therapists also need to have a background in art.

5. Finding a Qualified Art Therapist

If you are interested in receiving art therapy, it is important to go to a qualified art therapist. There are more than 5,000 qualified art therapists who are part of the American Art Therapy Network. Thankfully, they are relatively easy to find. You just need to use the American Art Therapy Association therapist locator, which you can find at americanarttherapyassociation.org.

6. Diagnostic Drawing Series

When therapists evaluate art that is drawn by their patients they use standardized evaluation tools, such as the diagnostic drawing series. The diagnostic drawing series was developed in 1982 by two art therapists, and it has patients draw a series of three pictures. It has clearly defined criteria that are used to evaluate the art. Color choice, line length, and space usage are just a few of the things that are evaluated.

7. House-Tree-Person Test

The House-Tree-Person test was designed by John Beck, and it is another assessment tool that can be used in art therapy. The patient is asked to draw a house, a tree, and a person. After drawing these pictures, the therapist asks a series of questions to analyze the drawings. This test is often useful for assessing brain damage and mental functioning.

Art therapy can be very beneficial. It can provide great personal insight that people might not otherwise experience. Just about anyone can benefit from art therapy, which is why it is such a useful therapeutic tool. What are your opinions about art therapy?

Sources: arttherapy.org, diagnosticdrawingseries.info, psychology.about.com, ehow.com