A Beginner’s Guide To Art Therapy: Meaning, Benefits, And More

The more we progress in the 21st century, the more stigmas around mental health are diminishing!

We can now see openly accepting their mental health issues rather than keeping them hidden.

Understanding these problems is also getting very mainstream!

We have offices and educational centers being open to the idea of someone being mentally ill and taking some time off. 

After all, our physical health also correlates with how we are feeling at the end of the day.

Going to therapies is now normalized as well!

So, why not learn about the different therapies that we can get. One such excellent therapeutic activity is art.

There is no doubt that experimenting with different colors on a white sheet of paper helps us express a lot more than our own lips. That is why art therapy courses in Singapore are so popular. 

If you don’t know much about art therapy, then keep reading, as this excerpt below explains it all.

What Is Art Therapy?

It is the most creative method of expression!

• This is where your therapy session will consist of you taking a piece of paper and some colors. Then, you will start portraying your inner feelings on a sheet of paper in the form of a painting.
• This type of psychotherapy aims for the patient to explore their hidden subconscious and for the therapist to understand their mind.
• This therapy will help you utilize your creativity to better understand yourself.
• Talking about their feelings and triggers openly can be a little alarming for some people. So, this is a subtle way for them to express themselves without having to feel too overwhelmed.

What Are The Benefits Of Art Therapy

If you are a little intimidated by the idea of therapy and the concept of art therapy appeals to you, then here are the benefits you should look forward to.

1. Express Feelings Without Being Triggered

This therapeutic method is used to treat patients with PTSP. When someone suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, it is particularly difficult for them to verbally communicate their feelings. 

Mostly because it can trigger them, that’s why they do Art therapy because they can express themselves without having to repeat their traumatic experience.

2. The Activity Is Calming

The activity itself is a big stress reliever. It can calm your nerves and send a sense of soothing through your mind and body. 

The vibrancy of the colors is also the best mood elevator. So, you should try this even if you do not suffer from anything in particular.

3. It Can Treat Chronic Mental Illness

Chronic mental illnesses like anxiety and depression can be treated with the help of color therapy.

Mostly because, as mentioned before, 

– They can calm you down.

            &

– They can take your mind off things by making you naturally happy.

4. Excellent Way Of Exploration

We aren’t aware of deep-seated thoughts and intentions in our own minds. With the help of art therapy, we can explore them all.

All we need is to decipher the meaning of our art and our choice of colors with the help of a personal therapist. 

5. Gives Patients A Sense Of Freedom & Control

When patients suffer from chronic illness, especially something related to mental health, it is not uncommon to feel that their life is slipping away and they have no control over it. 

Art therapy gives them a sense of freedom of exploration and yet a chance to control. Because now they can understand what they are feeling and why

6. Perfect For Specially Abled Patients

Specially abled patients who are either physically impaired, i.e., they cannot verbally communicate. Or, the mentally impaired, like autism or schizophrenia, can benefit from art therapy.

It is easier to understand what is going on in someone’s mind. 

7. Helps To Treat Dementia

Since dementia doesn’t have any particular cure, it can be difficult to solve the puzzle of their off-handed feelings or confusions or loss of memory.

However, with art therapy, they can explore their cognitive mind without having to remember anything.

The Creative Exploration!

This is an excellent form of creative exploration, which can help us understand ourselves better and even elevate our mood a little with vibrant colors.

If you are someone not comfortable with the idea of sitting and talking about your feelings for hours, then this is the way to go.