Can painting really cure deep-seated trauma?
Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses art as a medium for healing. It can be used to help people who are struggling with mental health issues, trauma, or other life challenges.
Unfortunately, the many myths and misunderstandings about art therapy can lead to confusion and even fear. Plus, many people have no idea there are highly qualified art therapists living nearby!
The Online Mental Health Reviews team is well-equipped to write about art therapy, as we experienced therapy personally and professionally. We strive to provide comprehensive mental health support information and empathetic guidance to help readers to choose the most suitable online mental health products, services, or training courses tailored to their needs.
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the most common myths and misconceptions about art therapy near me, and why they’re not true.
List of science and evidence behind art therapy
According to a meta-analysis1 including 13 studies and 600+ participants, art therapy is an evidence-based practice that has been studied and proven to be effective in treating a variety of mental health issues.
- Research has shown that art therapy can help reduce stress, improve self-esteem, and increase feelings of well-being.
- Art therapy also helps individuals express emotions that may be difficult to verbalize.
- Studies have found that art therapy can help people with depression, anxiety, trauma, and other mental health issues.
- Additionally, art therapy can provide insight into the underlying causes of mental health issues and help individuals develop coping strategies for managing their symptoms.
By combining creative expression with psychotherapy techniques, art therapy provides a unique approach to healing and growth and is related to play therapy.
List of online art therapy resources
Online art therapy resources are a great way to access the creative and therapeutic process for mental health support. Many websites and platforms provide free or low-cost therapy activities, exercises, and resources.
- For example, Art Therapy Resources (https://arttherapyresources.com.au/) provides practical art therapy and business resources for those in the mental health field.
- Art Therapy Online (https://www.arttherapyonline.org/) offers a non-profit platform that brings together Art Therapists from around the world to help raise the profile of the Art Therapy profession through support.
- The Art Therapy Project is a nonprofit mental health organization providing free group art therapy to adults and youth affected by trauma (https://thearttherapyproject.org/).
How to Find Art Therapy Near Me
If you’re looking for art therapy near you, there are a few different ways to go about it.
- The American Art Therapy Association has an online locator that can help you find a professional art therapist in your area (https://arttherapy.org/art-therapist-locator/).
- You can also search Psychology Today’s directory of therapists to find an art therapist in your area (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists?search=art%20therapy).
- Additionally, the Art Therapy Credential Board website has a search and directory of ART therapists (https://atcb.org/find-a-credentialed-art-therapist/)
Zocdoc to Find Art Therapist Near You
Zocdoc is a great way to find a qualified art therapist near you. It has a number of key benefits that will help you make the best choice for your mental health.
One of the best things about using Zocdoc is that it can help you find doctors who work with your insurance plan. This makes sure that you get care that is affordable.
Zocdoc also has a thorough review system that lets you read about the experiences and comments of other clients who have worked with therapists in your area. This knowledge can be very helpful in helping you find a therapist whose values and goals match your own.
When you search for an art therapist on Zocdoc, you can quickly and easily compare different choices based on things like location, availability, and specialties.
In our study of Zocdoc, we bought the service and used it. The best part, we thought, was that this easy-to-use platform gives you the information you need to make smart choices about your mental health care. This makes it easier to find a therapist who can help with your specific problems.
With Zocdoc, our readers can solve the problems they face and get the care they need.
What is Art Therapy?
- Art therapy, according to VeryWellMind, is a form of psychotherapy that uses creative techniques such as drawing, painting, collage, and sculpting to help people express their emotions and thoughts.
- It is based on the idea that creative expression (even through musical therapy) can help people resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve insight.
- Art therapists are trained professionals who use art materials to facilitate communication between the patient and the therapist. They may also guide in developing artistic skills or techniques to help patients explore their feelings.
- Art therapy can be used with individuals of all ages and backgrounds, including those with physical or mental health issues.
Unfortunately, art therapy is less likely to be considered an online therapy covered by insurance due to a variety of factors.
What does an art therapist do?
- Art therapists use making art as a type of therapy to help their clients feel better emotionally, mentally, and physically.
- Art therapy includes drawing, painting, sculpting, and other forms of art-making with the client.
- Art therapy involves the mind, body, and spirit in ways that talking alone cannot.
- Art therapists come up with projects that help the client reach their goals and objectives. They also look at the art the client makes to figure out how they are feeling.
- They might also use guided imagery or relaxation exercises to help clients express themselves artistically and deal with hard feelings.
What are the 4 Main Types of art therapy?
Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses art materials such as paints, clay, and markers to help individuals explore their emotions and gain insight into their lives. There are four main types of art therapy: painting, drawing, sculpture, and collage.
- Painting is the most common type of art therapy and involves using paints to create images or abstract shapes on a canvas.
- Drawing is another type of art therapy that involves using pencils, charcoal, or other drawing tools to create images or symbols on paper.
- Sculpture is an art form that involves creating three-dimensional forms out of clay or other materials.
- Finally, collage is an art form that involves cutting up pieces of paper or fabric and arranging them into a new image.
Myth #1: You Need to Be an Artist to Benefit from Art Therapy
Many people think that to benefit from art therapy, you need to be an artist or have some kind of artistic talent.
However, this isn’t true at all! The beauty of art therapy is that it doesn’t matter if you can draw or paint – it’s more about the process than the outcome. Art therapists use different techniques such as drawing, painting, sculpting, collage-making, and more to help people express their feelings in a safe environment.
Myth #2: Art Therapy Is Only for Children
Another myth about art therapy is that it’s only for children.
While it’s true that many art therapists specialize in working with children, adults can also benefit from this type of therapy. Many adults find it helpful in dealing with stress, anxiety, and depression. Art therapists use different techniques depending on the age group and child they’re working with so don’t be afraid to reach out if you think you could benefit from art therapy!
Myth #3: Art Therapy Is Too Expensive
Many people assume that because art therapy involves materials like paints and clay that it must be expensive.
However, this isn’t necessarily true! Depending on where you live there may be free or low-cost options available such as community centers or local universities offering classes or workshops specializing in art therapy. Additionally, many private practitioners offer sliding scale fees so don’t let cost stop you from seeking out the help you need!
Myth #4: Art Therapy Is Just For Fun
While creating artwork can certainly be enjoyable and therapeutic in its own right, there’s much more to art therapy than just having fun with colors and shapes.
Art therapists use specific techniques designed to help clients explore their feelings in a safe environment while also providing them with tools for self-expression and coping skills for managing difficult emotions. So while making artwork may seem like just fun and games at first glance – there’s much more going on beneath the surface!
What is painting therapy?
Painting therapy, also known as art therapy, is a form of psychotherapy that uses the creative process of making art to improve physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
It is based on the idea that creating art can be used as a form of self-expression and can help individuals to explore their feelings, reconcile emotional conflicts, foster self-awareness, manage behavior and addictions, develop social skills, improve reality orientation, and reduce anxiety.
So yes, painting really can help heal trauma 🙂
What can an art therapist help with?
Art therapy is a type of counseling that uses making art to help people talk about their feelings and learn more about their mental, physical, and emotional health.
Art therapists can help with problems like sadness, anxiety, trauma, autism, dementia, cognitive impairment, and cancer.
By making art, clients can express themselves in ways they might not be able to do through standard talk therapy.
What disorders does art therapy treat?
Art therapy can be used to treat a wide range of mental health issues including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
Art therapy has also been found to be beneficial in the treatment of physical conditions such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, and dementia.
By engaging in creative activities such as painting or drawing, individuals can express themselves in ways that talk therapy may not allow for.
How does art therapy help PTSD?
Art therapy, according to Healthline, is a powerful tool in helping those suffering from PTSD.
- It can provide an outlet for expression and healing, allowing individuals to process their trauma safely and creatively.
- Art therapy helps to reduce symptoms of PTSD such as intrusive thoughts, and flashbacks, and reduce depression.
- Through art, individuals can find grounding and coping skills by photographing pleasant objects or creating a graphic timeline of their trauma.
- Additionally, art therapy encourages mindfulness which can help to assuage pain and stress.
- Furthermore, it allows the person suffering from trauma to choose what they create at their own pace, which stops them from feeling overwhelmed or triggered.
- Finally, art therapy has been proven to reduce symptoms of combat stress and post-traumatic stress disorder.
What settings do art therapists tend to work in?
Art therapists are trained professionals who work in a variety of settings to provide therapeutic services.
Common settings for art therapy include mental health offices, schools, community organizations, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, private practices, prisons, shelters, nursing homes, and more.
Art therapists may also offer their services in workshops or other creative spaces.
Is art therapy costly?
Art therapy can be costly, depending on the type of therapy and the credentials of the therapist.
The cost of a 50-minute individual art therapy session can range from $100 to $175, while the median cost for an art therapy degree in the US is around $32,685.
However, it is important to note that art therapy is effective and may be worth its cost in terms of improved mental health outcomes.
What is the difference between EMDR and art therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) are two different types of evidence-based therapy that can be used to treat trauma.
EMDR focuses on desensitizing the client’s distress and reprocessing the person from traumatic memories, while ART is a more direct approach that replaces disturbing images with positive ones.
- EMDR uses a variable number of eye movements, while an ART therapist uses a fixed number.
- EMDR also uses free association, while ART therapists are directive.
- Additionally, EMDR would take you through an entire traumatic event in chronological order, whereas ART is a quicker approach that focuses on specific aspects of the traumatic memory.
Overall, both therapies have been proven to be effective in both grief and treating trauma but differ in their approaches and techniques.
It is important to speak with your therapist about which one might be best for you based on your individual needs and preferences.
Can you do art therapy on your own?
Art therapy is a powerful tool for self-care and personal growth.
While it’s best to work with an art therapist, there are many exercises you can do on your own at home to explore your emotions and express yourself creatively.
Examples of activities include scribbling for 30 seconds and then examining the picture, creating a safe space to explore your feelings, coloring a feeling wheel, making response art, or creating a story with images.
Can art therapy be done in a group?
Yes, art therapy can be done in a group.
- Group art therapy is a powerful way to explore emotions and experiences with others who have similar struggles.
- In group art therapy, members are encouraged to express themselves through creative activities such as drawing, painting, sculpting, and collage-making.
- The group setting allows for the sharing of ideas and support from other members while providing a safe space for exploration and expression.
- Additionally, group art therapy can provide an opportunity for participants to learn from each other and gain insight into their own experiences.
Art Therapy Near Me Conclusion:
Art therapy is a powerful tool for healing but unfortunately, there are still many myths and misunderstandings surrounding this type of psychotherapy practice which can lead to confusion or even fear when considering seeking out help.
We hope this blog post has helped dispel some of these misconceptions so that more people feel comfortable exploring how art therapy might be able to help them on their journey towards emotional wellness! And more confident you may find the right therapist out there who’s just a perfect fit for you!
We invite you to leave a comment with any questions you have about finding art therapy near you or share your suggestions on which mental health service, app, site, or course the Online Mental Health Reviews team should explore and review next. Your input helps us continue our mission to empower and support readers on their mental health journey!
Sources
- Boehm K, Cramer H, Staroszynski T, Ostermann T. Arts therapies for anxiety, depression, and quality of life in breast cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014;2014:103297. doi: 10.1155/2014/103297. Epub 2014 Feb 26. PMID: 24817896; PMCID: PMC3955604.
- Shukla A, Choudhari SG, Gaidhane AM, Quazi Syed Z. Role of Art Therapy in the Promotion of Mental Health: A Critical Review. Cureus. 2022 Aug 15;14(8):e28026. doi: 10.7759/cureus.28026. PMID: 36134083; PMCID: PMC9472646.
Additional Resources
While Zocdoc is excellent for finding local healthcare professionals who take your insurance, you may want to find other types of therapy. In that case, use the list below:
- Find Art Therapy: Unravel Myths, Discover Local Options
- Find Play Therapy: Locate Services, Bust Myths
- Find Hypnotherapy: Local Resources, Dispel Myths
- Find Music Therapy: Explore Locally, Break Myths
- Find Right Online Hypnotherapist: Weigh Benefits, Challenges
- Find Mental Health Centers: Your Local Guide
- Find Parent Therapy: Strengthen Family, Overcome Challenges
- Find Texas Physical Therapist: Understand Benefits
- Find Therapy for Emotional Abuse
- Find Humanistic Therapy: Right Therapist Guide
- Find Men’s Therapy: Comprehensive Local Services
- Find Binge Eating Therapy: Local Guide
- Find Skin Picking Help: Local Therapist Finder
- Better Speech Therapy Review
- Find Reading Guidance: Book Therapy Review
Our team invites you to share your thoughts in the comments section below. Let us know which mental health software products, apps, or courses that Online Mental Health Reviews should explore and review next.
If You’re In An Emergency
During a crisis, waiting for an online therapy session might not be the most secure option. If immediate assistance is necessary, please dial 911, especially if there’s a risk of harming yourself or others. For those contemplating self-harm, reach out to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling 988 – they offer support 24/7.
Additionally, you can contact the National Helpline of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at 800-662-HELP (4357). This helpline provides a free, confidential service that assists individuals with mental health or substance abuse issues in finding treatment and information, available 24/7, throughout the year.