Margaret Atwood’s Illustration Of Elaine Risley’s Divine Experience As Depicted In Her Book, Cat’s Eye

In this paper I will describe the Art Therapy process and the various techniques. This is an art therapy technique that isn’t used very often, particularly with adults, even though it’s a technique that can be used for any age. It is also a technique I don’t know much about. This paper will explore Art Therapy and provide some examples.

When their lives are complicated, many people find it difficult to express themselves. It is harder still for those who are addicted to substances. Therapy helps people struggling with addiction to communicate themselves effectively so they can make progress. Music, religion, and other types of therapy are offered in many places. Art therapy is another type of treatment that they use, which I have never heard of. It’s not the first time I heard about people expressing their feelings through art. This paper looks at how art can help people with substance abuse.

Art therapy first became popular in counseling during the 1940s. Therapists started to realize that using art was therapeutic. Edward Adamson, a British therapist, and Dr. Edith Kramer noticed that art therapy had a positive impact on their substance-abuse clients. Art therapy helps counselors interact better with clients in stages of recovery where words fail. Art therapy is used in many drug rehabilitation centers, mental clinics, and prisons. (The Ranch, 2015).

Why use art therapy? Many addicts who are going through recovery may not be able to express their feelings. They can communicate, self-reflect and learn from the things they have experienced in life. It can be used to help the client with internal and/or external conflicts. The therapist will also build rapport and better communicate with their client.

It’s not a new concept, but scientists and therapists only started using it in the real world at the end of the 20th century. After realizing that art therapy reduced anxiety and stress in clients, more therapists began using it. Art therapy also helps clients to build trust in other people in their lives in order to heal. It is a good thing because the client will start to open up to their counselor and other people in their life.

Art therapy is not just for the client, but it can also help with their mental health. Creative art can help a person engage different parts of their brain, such as the right side. Art therapy not only helps with hand-eye coordination, but it also helps people turn emotions, internal/external conflict, and fears into concrete things that the therapist will understand. It is a great way to help clients rationalize the situations they are facing. Art therapy is still being studied and researched, but it’s used everywhere (The Ranch, 2015.

Art therapy can be used in many different ways. It is not just used to treat addiction. Art therapy is a treatment that is still being studied by scientists and therapists who believe it is effective. Art therapy helps with psychosocial treatments for cancer. It also gives a person a more positive view of their body and is useful when helping others. They can all help someone through their life, regardless of what they’re going through (Malchiodi, 2015).

Art therapy is only able to help with these things. There are studies showing a reduction in depression and tiredness in those who undergo chemotherapy. Art therapy also strengthens positive emotions, reduces the distress felt by others, and helps clarify existential concerns that people may have.

Children with cancer who draw, paint, etc., have been shown to be more resilient. Drawing, painting, etc., can help reduce anxiety, improve their quality-of-life, and strengthen their self concept. It is not just for cancer patients, but also those who are addicted to drugs or alcohol. Imagine that art, something so simple and yet effective can help heal people (Malchiodi & 2015).

People of all ages can use art therapy, but it’s most effective when used to counsel children. The client can choose from a wide range of techniques and assessments. I will give three examples to give you a better idea. One technique is doll building. The client can refurbish a doll, restoring it to its original condition. This will help them understand the meaning of the doll in their lives. The client might see that their doll is in a horrible shape, but hard work and enough time can transform it into something beautiful (The Ranch).

The doll that is unfurnished can be used to represent the client’s lowest self. As time goes on, this doll will heal according to the client’s own desires and perceptions of healing. Road drawing is a second art therapy technique. The client can interpret road drawing in many different ways. The road that a client draws can be interpreted in many ways. It could reflect their current life path and the distance they hope to travel on it. A road sketch can tell us a lot about the person. It could be how they feel about their life. Or, it could show their choices and life goals.

This assessment is very effective in helping adults who are struggling with addiction. The adults will have more experience and will be able to compare their current situation with what they were doing then. This assessment type may not be as effective with teenagers who are addicts. They are still trying to discover themselves and their life goals. You can still use this type of assessment, but you will need to modify it to suit them. This technique is great and sounds helpful.

The altered book is the third and last technique I’ll list. The doll building exercise is a good analogy for this assessment. As part of the altered-book exercise, the person is asked to create a sort of catalogue for their life while they are on the path to recovery. The client will create a catalogue that shows them the early stages of their addiction, and how they progress on their journey to recovery. The client can choose whether the book will follow their progress in recovery or if they would like to jump ahead and get to a future point. This technique is great for both teens and adults who suffer from substance abuse.

Art therapy has the power to help people connect with their inner selves and reach out to a higher power. Art therapy is a fascinating technique, and my research has revealed some things I never expected. Imagine that someone who is suffering from addiction could work out their issues in life using creativity. Many people, especially those who aren’t religious, can relate to this, as they do to music.

Some people who are struggling with addiction might feel that they’re not worth saving if they don’t have a peak, religious or mystical experience. If they do not have a particular religion to which they wish to devote their faith, they will still benefit from art therapy.

This quote will help me explain why someone who is suffering from addiction might want to have faith in a greater power to help them get through the day. James Forsyth Chapter 3 states that William James could not adopt the strict Calvinism his grandfather practiced or the Swedenborgian mystical beliefs of his dad. This lack in faith seemed to be the cause of his inner turmoil and desperation all through his life. (Forsyth, 2012). Counseling can make people feel lost and confused. They may think that finding the right religion for them will help them get through this difficult time. While it is not wrong to search for the right religion, it would be best to explore many spiritual techniques so that you can become one within yourself. This is a good way to begin the process of recovery.

It is wonderful that art therapy exists. It can help people get through difficult times. Art therapy allows people to express themselves in a way they would like. Art therapy is very effective and I’d choose it as a method to use during my sessions.