Art Therapy For Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment
Engage In The Arts To Promote Recovery and Healing.
They say art imitates life, and at Absolute Awakenings, we know this to be true. Many artistic pursuits will give each person a unique feeling, thought, or perspective. The same is true of art therapy programs.
When you’ve experienced a negative event or are struggling with substance use or mental health challenges, your interpretation and interaction with life can become skewed. Working with an art therapist offers a new way to engage with past experiences and present obstacles in order to heal and recover more completely.
What Is Art Therapy?
Art therapy is an evidence-based therapeutic modality or psychotherapy that is common practice for treating substance abuse and mental health challenges. Creative arts therapy activates different parts of your brain as you partake in activities related to fine arts, such as music, theater, pottery, dance, painting, sketching, and journaling.
According to the American Art Therapy Association, art therapy is used to help patients improve their cognitive and sensorimotor functions, foster healthy self-esteem and increased self-awareness, cultivate a greater emotional resilience, promote valuable insights, enhance social skills and interpersonal effectiveness, and help the patient to reduce and resolve conflicts and distress.[1]
These practical and helpful counseling services are administered by the art therapist, who will guide you as you navigate inner thought processes, natural impulses, and automatic responses to problematic stimuli or memories. A creative art therapist or professional art therapist will carry the proper licensure and either a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree.
The Different Types Of Art Therapy
There are many different forms of creative arts therapy, each one with different applications for holistic well-being. Our admissions team will work closely with your art therapist to design a customized treatment plan that matches your individual needs and goals. These therapy sessions are designed to promote personal wellness while also engaging in a calming and immersive activity.
Creative Expression
Anything from painting, drawing, ceramics, crafting and hobbies would be a creative expression. When administered by a qualified creative art therapist, the patient will be guided through psychotherapy techniques and other forms of talk therapy as they participate in artistic pursuits.
Dance Therapy
When administered by a creative art therapist, dancing becomes an entirely different experience. Dance art therapy programs help patients connect their bodies with their minds through intentional and focused movement to improve self-esteem and self-awareness and improve personal well-being.
Music Therapy
Music therapy could be listening to or playing an instrument while working with a creative art therapist. There is no need to be skilled in any instrument in order to participate in these therapy sessions.
A creative art therapist or music therapist will design music sessions for each individual or group based on their unique needs. In these sessions, they will facilitate improvisation, reflective listening, individual and collaborative songwriting, lyric discussion, imagery, performance, and interdisciplinary treatment planning.
Drama Therapy
Drama art therapy programs participate in directing and roleplaying events from each participant’s past. The creative art therapist will facilitate all activities, and participants will take turns presenting and directing their stories.
As you direct the other participants playing various roles within your story, you will gain a new perspective on your own experience. When it’s their turn, you will be able to fulfill a support role and learn from the experiences of others.
Who Should Participate In Art Therapy?
The American Art Therapy Association reports that working with a creative art therapist is beneficial for people who are struggling with substance abuse, mental health concerns, significant life transitions, and traumatic experiences, as well as those seeking creative, emotional, and spiritual growth.[2]
Through creative art blended with psychotherapy sessions, you can look for themes in what you create and gain valuable insights about who you are, what you’ve been through, and where you want to go next. If you or a loved one are struggling with any or all of these challenges, get help today. Contact the admissions team at Absolute Awakenings today to begin treatment planning today.
Here’s How Art Therapy New Jersey Helps Our Clients
The great Pablo Picasso once said: “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” This is especially true of art therapy programs. These sessions are beneficial for patients and families who experience different forms of stress, trauma, abuse, and mental health challenges. Participants in art therapy programs safely identify undesirable patterns, express their emotions, and develop stronger self-awareness, increased interpersonal effectiveness, and practical coping skills by participating in the creative process.
Art Therapy FAQs
Why is art therapy important for recovery?
When working with a creative art therapist, patients are empowered to express their emotions, improve self-esteem, mitigate stress, overcome substance use, and reduce the symptoms of anxiety or depression. All of these benefits are critical steps to maintaining recovery.
How does making art help improve mental health?
Self-expression through fine arts is helpful for mitigating the symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. Artistic pursuits have also been linked to memory and reasoning skills, as well as improving resilience.
Does art therapy actually work?
Patients and families of all ages can take advantage of beneficial art therapy programs. Research shows that enjoying and engaging in artistic pursuits and creative arts therapy can positively impact your mental health and overall wellness.
What are the risks of art therapy?
Whenever a vulnerable person comes into contact with powerful emotions and symptoms of their substance use or mental health challenges, there is always the risk of discomfort as they navigate those emotions. Feelings may intensify in the early stages of treatment but the goal is to reach a place where these symptoms are reduced and no longer disruptive.
Art Therapy in New Jersey: Where Self-Care Meets Recovery At Absolute Awakenings
Express your way to healing and recovery and work with a professional art therapist at Absolute Awakenings.
Yes, You Can Get Your Life Back. Call Absolute Awakenings Today.
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