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Art therapy \u00a0utilizes images, metaphor, and a \u201cright brain\u201d approach to\u00a0understanding yourself and your life. You do not have to be an artist in order to benefit\u00a0from art therapy. By using colors, lines, shapes, symbols, and textures, we can tap into\u00a0the more creative, imaginative side of you in order to more effectively solve problems\u00a0and gain perspective.<\/p>\n
Creating an image may be an experience that is relaxing or cathartic, and the images that you \u201chappen\u201d to choose or create are often your right brain\u2019s way of communicating information to you, much like a dream.<\/p>\n
The American Art Therapy Association explains that, \u201cArt therapy is a mental health profession in which clients, facilitated by the art therapist, use art media, the creative process, and the resulting artwork to explore their feelings, reconcile emotional conflicts, foster self-awareness, manage behavior and addictions, develop social skills, improve reality orientation, reduce anxiety, and increase self-esteem.<\/p>\n
A goal in art therapy is to improve or restore a client\u2019s functioning and his or her sense of personal well-being. Art therapy practice requires knowledge of visual art (drawing, painting, sculpture, and other art forms) and the creative process, as well as of human development, psychological, and counseling theories and techniques.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u00a0Curious About a Typical Art Therapy Session?<\/h4>\n
<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n How do you become an art therapist?\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Follow my Pinterest Art Therapy Ideas<\/a> board.<\/p>\n Check out this post on making Mini Books<\/a>,<\/p>\n Learn more about art journaling<\/a> and its therapeutic uses,<\/p>\n Find out how to\u00a0combine\u00a0mindfulness and art therapy<\/a>,<\/p>\n Read how art and expressive therapists use visualization, dance, visual art and metaphor<\/a> to help clients find transformative solutions,<\/p>\n Ponder whether art therapy is right for you<\/a>,<\/p>\n Discover how to utilize poetry therapy<\/a> by writing and journaling through issues, or<\/p>\n See how art therapists use smartphones to combine mindfulness and phototherapy<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Learn more about using art for self-discovery by\u00a0taking Art Journaling 101 Online.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nDo You Want to Become an\u00a0Art Therapist?<\/h4>\n
Looking for sample art therapy interventions?<\/h4>\n
\u00a0What About Using Art for Personal Growth?<\/h4>\n