by Claire Rosenecker
For some, traditional talk therapy is a great way to discuss and process trauma, anxiety, depression, or other life struggles. For others, talk-therapy can be more of a challenge and leave individuals feeling defeated if they don’t see improvement in their lives. Although many are led to believe that talk therapy is the only option available to them, art therapy is a great alternative for those struggling to make progress in their therapy sessions. Also known as “creative psychotherapy,” art therapy incorporates traditional methods of mental health counseling with artistic self-expression. Many treatment-resistant patients experience increased motivation and enjoyment during art therapy sessions.
Art Therapy vs. Talk-Therapy
While individuals of any age can benefit from art therapy, positive results are especially seen in adolescents. This is particularly true for adolescents who are reluctant to share how they feel, and find themselves struggling with traditional talk-therapy sessions. Adolescents who experience several internal and external stressors, mental health symptoms, and developmental changes, can feel overwhelmed in processing all that’s going on in their lives. Art therapy often helps them explore and express these experiences.
Traditional talk-therapy is also a challenge for individuals who have experienced trauma and have a difficult time verbalizing their experience. As an alternative, art therapy offers the space to explore and process the feelings, memories, and effects of trauma in their creations. This approach to therapy provides such individuals with a sense of safety and control while helping them process the trauma they have experienced.
What Does an Art Therapy Session Look Like?
An art therapy session is not like art class, and is much different than a typical therapy session. There’s no right or wrong, and having artistic experience is not required to experience its benefits. In fact, with practice, all individuals find that they are uniquely creative. In New York state, art therapy sessions are conducted by a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist (LCAT) trained in traditional counseling techniques, as well as in studio art. LCATs help their patients build confidence and develop their art skills as a form of expression. At Horizon Health Services, LCATs work with patients in 45- to 60-minute sessions, helping them explore and express their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Patients enjoy many different forms of art, including dance and movement, creative writing, drawing, painting, and more. Through these sessions, LCATs encourage conversations that assist patients in processing and validating their feelings.
A common expression we often hear is, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” Art therapy offers the unique opportunity for patients to experience an alternative approach to exploring and expressing their emotions, and to make progress toward achieving a happier and healthier life. If you think that you or a loved one could benefit from art therapy, visit www.horizon-health.org or call 716-831-1800 to schedule an appointment.
Claire Rosenecker is a corporate communications coordinator at Horizon Health Services.
