Art therapy is a discipline that is becoming increasingly important on a psychological level. From an emotional and pedagogical perspective, it works to resolve internal conflicts, express emotions, and eliminate thoughts of self-criticism or personal demand. As art therapy focuses on the process and not the result, any project carried out is valid. Comparisons, evaluations or any sign that could attack the person's self-esteem are avoided. Its purpose is to connect with the interior and not with perfectionism.
This type of therapeutic process does not consist solely of sitting in front of a sketchbook and coloring. It provides us with a series of tools, different themes of expression and a methodology designed so that emotions or creativity appear at their best. It follows a process, always flexible, designed to help the person understand what is happening to him, free himself from self-demand, or connect with what he feels. Its use is increasingly widespread, and its applications are very useful.
Advantages
Any therapeutic tool has a series of areas where it can work, always depending on each person. It does not work for everything and is not intended for all problems, but its usefulness is restricted to those points where it has proven useful, especially on a practical level. If we want to use it for everything, we would be limited, and we could even harm the person. You should only stick to the problems that art therapy is designed for.
The following areas are those where this therapeutic model reaches an optimal level and is able to help the person:
- It reduces stress levels and generates a feeling of mental serenity.
- It increases motivation, generates greater adherence to other treatments and manages to create persistence.
- It encourages personal growth.
- It frees from a purely mental way of life and allows connection with the body and its sensations.
- Enhances creativity, freeing from excess criticism and negative judgment.
- It works through the emotion of pride, linked directly to creativity.
Daily uses
Art therapy is not in itself a tool that can pose any danger to those who use it, so, even outside the psychological field, it can be used. It would help us to be more creative, connect with some of our emotions or enhance our own development. As long as we are aware that if we are emotionally overwhelmed we should seek help, we can use it in our own home. It is a very useful tool to be able to work daily.
Through the following guidelines we can use art therapy in our home and find all its benefits:
Find your discipline
Art therapy is often linked to canvas, both with watercolor and acrylics. However, disciplines such as sculpture, carving wood, working with flower arrangements or wool would serve us well. We have to find our discipline.
The goal is expression
The result may be better or worse, but we are looking for a good expression of what we feel. It is what we really have to value, if we have taken what was inside.
Admire your creations
We have to admire each and every one of our creations that have been made from the heart. The rest is superficial.
Share
Since creativity is directly linked to pride, always seek to admire yourself and that others do too. A first step may be to share it on a social network. It does not have to go with your name, you can use a pseudonym at the beginning.
