What is Art Therapy?
3-8-2023
Art Therapy vs Art as Therapy
Art Therapy is a service that provides a safe place to use creative expression integrated with mental health services. Art Therapy is facilitated by a Registered Art Therapist, who has a Masters degree in an accredited college for art therapy. Art Therapy explores mental health diagnosis through the use of creative expression. It fosters confidence and self-awareness, improves cognitive thought process, improves sensory-motor, promotes insight and improves social skills.
Art as Therapy is a form of art therapy. Art as Therapy can be provided by an expressive therapist, creative therapist, of an art therapist. Art as therapy does not integrate with mental health issues. Art as therapy is focused on exploring the art materials, expressing inner self, increasing awareness, having increase of social support and can express feelings using art as therapy approach.
Both are useful in the healing of self. Art Therapy sessions, provide a particular task for the individual or group to explore in relation to their diagnosis or group topics. The art supplies are provided and certain supplies are used for addressing the symptoms or thoughts. The art therapist plans the task for an mental health outcome.
Art as Therapy sessions can be planned and can also require certain supplies. Usually the supplies are planned according to the development of the client. Most art as therapy sessions, allow the client to choose the materials. In the sessions for art as therapy, the therapist assists the client with the supplies when needed, and will engage with the client by discussing the topics. The client may want silence during the art making process or will want music played. Music can be a distraction and that is something that is discussed at the beginning of the session.
Art as Therapy sessions do not work with a diagnosis, the facilitator does not provide any medical or mental health diagnosis or mental health counseling. The facilitator will provide a certain art task for insight and awareness and the tasks are for self-improvement.
The sessions at Zen Art and Wellness LLC, is an art as therapy approach. The sessions will include a check in, the art making time and then the closure to discuss the art and anything else to finalize the session. Sometimes the session will include meditation.
Zen Art and Wellness, LLC, is open to take children and adolescents and adults. See services tab on website for more information, and book your appointment.