Art the healer! Art as a Therapy !

With the world attack of the pandemic and the forced lockdown with not much activity to do, there has been a rise in people feeling sad or depressed, anxious or angry and all these emotions are ok as long as they do not hamper the working of our day-to-day life! 

It is such an important issue that in today’s blog I cannot ignore it. We all have to understand that the mind controls our lives - our thoughts, our self care, our organs and how we behave, react, respond and basically live! 

Sometimes we get up feeling heavy, sluggish, exhausted and confused, but this is not clinical depression , it can be termed as depression only when that happens every single day and for months on end. With the recent spate of suicides; the limelight is back on the benefits of good mental health and nothing heals better than ART. It is indeed therapeutic and has been for ages. 

Art is a product of human activity that stimulates the senses and evokes different types of emotions. It is the mind’s interpretation of what it perceives, and expresses it in symbols, words, drawings, music, dance, plays, etc. It comes from the mind of its creator and in turn gives him peace and immeasurable joy – Rumi !

If art imitates life and is an expression of human activity, then art can help us understand an individual’s state of being through his works. Throughout the centuries, many artists have used their art form for aesthetic as well therapeutic purposes. Many artists who understood the connection between art and healing based their assumptions on principles of human development, psychological theories, clinical practice, spirituality, multicultural and artistic traditions.

Art therapy is the therapeutic use of art by people who experience a variety of challenges in life, such as stress and emotional problems, anxiety and depression, illnesses and other health conditions. It is also for people who seek personal development and fulfilment.

Artistic creation and its processes increase self-awareness and the ability to cope with day-to-day stress, and traumatic experiences. Art therapy helps to enhance cognitive abilities and provides life-affirming pleasures.

The beauty of art therapy is that the moment you begin you feel calm and kind of relieved of your pressure. 

The first step in art therapy is just to make a doodle or sketch, or go with any substance like clay or slime and feel it , touch it and then think about what one is feeling, dreams, memories or just a plain idea and try to get it on paper . 

The next step is to give it a physical form with the use of a clay or paint or any tool one would like to use for his creation. This is a creative play that provides a means to express something that has no word, or is not yet understood and yet gives a release to the emotional weight inside of you!

There are a number of reasons why people come to art therapy. 

·       Most people who are grieving a death or loss or those  undergoing anxiety and depression, trauma, sexual abuse, and drug or substance addiction find relief and courage through their artistic creativity. 

·       Others who are mending broken relationships, exploring their dreams, or seeking for renewal and meaning in their lives have found the depth of art therapy to be very helpful and effective.

Art therapy can provide a deep sense of safety as it becomes a trusted place where one can show images or expressions that a person considers to be private. Paintings, sculptures, and other forms of art offer a kind of nourishment, healing insights, and a fresh respect for one’s creativity. There are people who prefer to work in silence. But there are also times when a unique dialogue between a client and a therapist takes place. The finished artwork remains a source of further reflection after the session.

For art therapy, the creative process and experience are given more emphasis than coming up with a beautiful product. A drawing of an ugly picture can be an important expression of suppressed anger, anxiety and depression. Just the act of picking up a crayon and making a mark can be a powerful expression to some people who have not done any art since grade school. Engaging in artworks can evoke feelings and relive memories of those days.

Art therapists are trained professionals in the field of art and  psychotherapy. They are experts about the healing potential of art. They use art for treatment, assessment, and research into psychological and emotional disorders. 

They provide consultations to allied professionals and work with people of all ages: individuals, couples, families, groups and communities. In fact it is a viable career option for anyone who has a BFA degree and wants to help the community!

Art therapy services are needed in  mental health institutions for rehabilitation, medical and community outreach programs; wellness centres; schools; nursing homes; corporate structures; open studios and independent practices.

To experience and to regain creativity can be empowering, as well as pleasurable. Connecting creativity with therapy greatly helps in exploring the struggles and challenges of daily normal life.

I really wish for more and more people to pick up art as their healer as this is what brings calmness and peace to anyone in any situation. I have worked with youth in rescue shelters in India and art therapy had such a cathartic impact on the lives of these kids, thus reaffirming my faith in the healing powers of ART!