Art therapy is the use of visual arts in a therapeutic context. You do not need to be an artist, or even artistically inclined. Almost everyone can benefit from art therapy in one way or another. Self-expression can be very revealing and has the ability to help people open up about painful or past experiences that they may not want to talk about. Here are a few simple benefits to participating in art therapy activities.
Self-Discovery
Art therapy has the ability to help you acknowledge and recognize your feelings. Many times there are things that affect our mental health that we have yet to connect or realize how they are affecting us. We might not even realize that something is actually bothering us to the extent that it is. Creating art can help us see our emotions and reactions to certain situations or past experiences.
Emotional Release
One of the greatest benefits of art therapy is its ability to create an emotional outlet. Sometimes we may find ourselves with complex emotions that are difficult to get out into words. Art therapy is not solely for people who are artistically inclined and art does not need to be what is considered typically beautiful. Sometimes it is the opposite on purpose. Everyone has the ability to learn to release difficult emotions through artistic activities.
Self-Esteem
The process of creating artwork has the ability to boost self-esteem. Learning to find a healthy emotional release can be a great feeling. When we can acknowledge our feelings and work through them in a healthy manner it gives us the power and ability to work through our mental health or addiction struggles in a healthy way. When we can finish a piece of artwork it can symbolically help us to see that we can finish things and feel a sense of self-accomplishment.
There are numerous benefits to participating in art therapy. Sometimes it can be difficult to express our feelings in words and art therapy has the benefit of working through those difficult emotions by creating a healthy outlet. Working with a mental health professional can help you to learn skills and tools to understand and work through your emotions in the way that best suits your needs. We here at The Guest House are ready to work with you in whatever way is best for you. Call us today to learn more about all of our different treatment options at (855) 483-7800.