Politics | September 08, 2008 | 4 comments

Little known Therapy used to enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being

source: http://www.arttherapy.org/therapy.asp

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arcticspirit
First of all, I want to tell everyone that talent has zero to do with this. You don't have to be artistic or creative to benefit from this therapy.

Art therapy is a mental health profession that uses the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages. It is based on the belief that the creative process involved in artistic self-expression helps people to resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve insight.

Art therapy integrates the fields of human development, visual art (drawing, painting, sculpture, and other art forms), and the creative process with models of counseling and psychotherapy. Art therapy is used with children, adolescents, adults, older adults, groups, and families to assess and treat the following: anxiety, depression, and other mental and emotional problems and disorders; substance abuse and other addictions; family and relationship issues; abuse and domestic violence; social and emotional difficulties related to disability and illness; trauma and loss; physical, cognitive, and neurological problems; and psychosocial difficulties related to medical illness. Art therapy programs are found in a number of settings including hospitals, clinics, public and community agencies, wellness centers, educational institutions, businesses, and private practices.

Art therapists are masters level professionals who hold a degree in art therapy or a related field. Educational requirements include: theories of art therapy, counseling, and psychotherapy; ethics and standards of practice; assessment and evaluation; individual, group, and family techniques; human and creative development; multicultural issues; research methods; and practicum experiences in clinical, community, and/or other settings. Art therapists are skilled in the application of a variety of art modalities (drawing, painting, sculpture, and other media) for assessment and treatment.

My thought...
I wonder if this is covered under Medicare for the handicapped?
I would totally do this.
  1. groups:
    Politics,   WTF,   Art
  2. tags:
    Politics,  WTF,  Art,  Healthcare,  8 more
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    arcticspirit Loves this IDEA!
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4 comments // Little known Therapy used to enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being

  • trailrideryeha
    • 0
      trailrideryeha  

    • I am an Expressive Arts Therapist (in training) and I work with children with autism; recently wrote a book on the experientials over the past 3 years. The benefits are amazing and unfortunately because of the incredible healing powers of ART and the ignorance of "people in power" this is not in the budget for any behavior health agency. Sad but true.
      trailrideryeha@hotmail.com

    • 2 years ago
  • PajamaDan
    • 0
      PajamaDan  

    • Thanx arcticspirit,...
      This is a great alternative,... and I have seen "Art Therapy" work, for certain problems. I just hope this therapy does not leave out instruments!
      Aside from the brain activity that music creates, it's also a good low-impact exercise. Also, for me, the thought of playing my instruments again was great motivation.

    • 3 years ago
  • regularrf
    • 0
      regularrf  

    • Art is a form of therapy both looking at as well as creating.Anything to get your mind off the pain as well as using parts or the brain that people don't use all the time
      I worked where the son of SAM was incarcerated and he is a artist to many people and he used it to bring him back to the world he knew and it did help.His pictures hang on the walls to this day at the hospital..

    • 3 years ago
  • J_Jammer
    • 0
      J_Jammer [removed]  

    • Yeah. Wishful thinking that it would be covered.

      Something that's actually useful is hardly ever covered, because it would actual help heal.

      This is pretty cool and make sense.

    • 3 years ago
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