Art therapy, also called art psychotherapy combines the creative process and psychotherapy, facilitating self-exploration and understanding. Using imagery, colour and shape as part of this creative therapeutic process, thoughts and feelings can be expressed that would otherwise be difficult to articulate. Art can be used to invite clients to approach difficult issues in a safe and non-threatening way in which a client can use self-exploration and self-interpretation as a language of therapy. The emphasis is placed not on the artistic ability or creativity of the client, but on the meaning that is allowed to be expressed in art through storytelling. By respectfully asking careful questions an Art Therapist is able to help the client to describe the image and express the feelings contained in it. Art Therapy can be used as a tool to explore feelings too difficult to talk about. Art helps to express these feelings that can often be difficult to share with words alone. Art therapy uses art in a creative and self-reflective way using the art in order to gain a deeper understanding of oneself and others. Many thoughts and feelings can be contained in a single image or
images can also hold multiple meanings. Art therapy can increase coping skills, enhance cognitive function, resolve inner conflicts, develop and maintain a peaceful state of mind and integrate life experiences that have been previously cut off from awareness or personal acceptance.
