Benefits of Art Therapy in Art Education Jennifer Kay-Rivera, M.Ed. Art Therapy jrivera@wcskids.net Warren Consolidated Schools Wayne State University

What is Art Therapy? Art therapy is an integrative mental health profession that combines knowledge and understanding of human development and psychological theories and techniques with visual arts and the creative process to provide a unique approach for helping clients improve psychological health, cognitive abilities, and sensory-motor functions. ~AATA 2016

History of Art Therapy “practiced” since prehistoric times; but modern-day art therapy emerged in the early 1900s when psychiatrists began categorizing the spontaneously created art works from asylum patients AATA established in 1969 Pioneers in the United States- Margaret Naumburg and Edith Kramer, 1970’s based on the idea of using art to release the unconscious by encouraging free association. The resulting artwork was considered symbolic speech that the therapist encouraged the patient to interpret and analyze important tool for assessment, communication, and treatment of children and adults

How does Art Therapy help? Art therapists use art media, and often the verbal processing of produced imagery, to help people: resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve insight.

Benefits of Art Therapy Effective treatment for people experiencing: developmental, medical, educational, and social or psychological impairment. Trauma survivors: combat, abuse, and natural and manmade disasters; persons with adverse physical health Health Conditions: cancer, traumatic brain injury, health disability; and persons with autism, dementia, depression, and other disorders. Life Stress: resolve conflicts, improve interpersonal skills, manage problematic behaviors, reduce negative stress, achieve personal insight. Art therapy also provides an opportunity to enjoy the life-affirming pleasures of art making.

Who can benefit from Art Therapy? Children, adults, seniors Individuals, couples, families and groups A variety of populations & settings: hospitals, schools, psychiatric and rehabilitation facilities, community mental health clinics, wellness centers, forensic institutions, crisis centers, senior communities, veteran’s clinics, juvenile facilities, correctional institutions and other community facilities. Art therapy is action-oriented and experience-based. Such inherent qualities differentiate it from other forms of therapy and make it particularly effective for a variety of client populations. The methods and treatment objectives of art therapy differ depending on the setting and client population

Art Therapy in Art Education Art as Therapy vs. Art in Therapy Promotes social and emotional development Expression- Overcome social and emotional problems Open-ended questioning techniques Allow for personal choice, options in art making Healthy risk-taking Control vs. Lack of Control How to adapt in different situations Working through a mistake Trusting yourself and intuition Assists non-verbal communication It can focus on the art-making process as therapeutic in and of itself (‘art as therapy’) or it can be ‘art in therapy’ (art psychotherapy).” AATA 2011. Art therapy is described as having the potential to help any child experiencing learning, behavior, and emotional problems. It is emphasized that it opens up a nonverbal form of communication for those who have a hard time communicating their thoughts and feelings (e.g., young children, those who are shy and withdrawn, those with limited vocabulary, those who have been traumatized). It is described as having the potential to help all youngsters to better know their emotions, know themselves, and cope with obstacles during pivotal developmental stages of life. Drawing reduces children’s anxiety, anger, and fear, allows for a stronger connection with the interviewer, helps them organize their communications, and increases memory retrieval.

Art Therapy in the News Oncology Patients 78-year old, Peter Rinaldi, cancer patient "(Art) gives me not only inner strength, but physical motivation to persevere beyond my body's weaknesses due to illness and side effects from treatment. ... When I am making art, I become very focused on what's in front of me. Concerns and issues I have seem to drop into the background. ... (Art) picks my brain for better thoughts and allows me to tuck the pain away." http://3blmedia.com/News/Art-Gives-Voice-78-Year-Old-Cancer-Patient#sthash.RCuhNQ7N.dpuf

Peter Rinaldi, cancer patient

Art Therapy in the News Military, Traumatic Brain Injury National Geographic Magazine February 2015 “Healing Our Soldiers, Unlocking the Secrets of Traumatic Brain Injury”

Art Therapy Directive -Time for you to experience Art Therapy! - Art Directive Processing

What is required to become an Art Therapist? Master Degree in Art Therapy thirty-nine art therapy master’s degree programs at thirty-five accredited colleges and universities in twenty states and the District of Columbia. 60 credit hours of graduate level coursework. Training in: studio art, creative process, psychological development, group therapy, art therapy assessment, psychodiagnostics, research methods, multicultural diversity 100 hours of supervised practicum 600 hours of supervised art therapy clinical internship ATR credential- 1000 hours of direct client contact, with 100 hours of direct supervision, Board Certified, hold the ATR-BC credential

How do I find an Art Therapist? Local hospital programs & counseling facilities http://www.find-a-therapist.com

American Art Therapy Association (AATA) www.arttherapy.org is an organization of professionals dedicated to the belief that making art is healing and life enhancing. Its mission is to serve its members and the general public by providing standards of professional competence, and developing and promoting knowledge in, and of, the field of art therapy. AATA represents over 5,000 professional art therapists 40 local chapters in 34 states Conduct research, credentials, oversee Art Therapists

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