What is Art Therapy?
 

What is Art therapy? 

Art therapy is utilized as art psychotherapy focusing on the art work as a medium for discussion between the therapist and client. Art therapy is founded on what images can hold and contain for us allowing the opportunity to reframe life's experiences. The tenets of art therapy involve humanism, creativity, reconciling emotional conflicts, fostering self-awareness, and personal growth.

How does it work?

It can be difficult to express feelings, particularly when faced with challenging experiences. Art therapy is a way of realising and moving on with our life stories. The trained and accredited art therapist helps the client to explore their work in a safe and confidential environment guiding the client to greater self-awareness and an understanding of the choices in their lives. You don't need to be good at art to benefit from art therapy as it is about mark making and the process rather than the end result. When things are difficult to put into words, making images can help shed new light on an old issue.

Art Therapy first developed in America and the UK after the Second World War. It is now an established profession with accredited body and supporting people across the world such as the Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists (IACAT).