Art Therapy is a tool used by therapists to help individuals interpret, resolve and express their emotions and thoughts. This is done through active art-making, creative processes, applied psychological theory, and human experience. In the process, people find ways in which they can cope with distress and resolve any conflicts. What’s more important is the journey of making art instead of the actual art piece itself. Today, we’ll be talking about how healing through art transcends age, thus offering a universal form of self-expression.

Art Therapy across Ages: A Colourful Voyage

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1.       Crayons to Calm Kids

With kids, therapists use many fun ways to make the activity seem like playtime. They may choose mediums such as crayons, watercolours, clay, acrylic paints, paper craft materials, and sand. Art therapy assessments are usually employed to screen some mental disorders like depression or anxiety, where evaluations like “Draw a Person” or “House-Tree-Person” are used. Visual art techniques include spontaneous drawing and drawing a family which would help therapists explore more about the child’s psyche and emotions. It has been proven to be helpful for children dealing with anxiety, trauma, and emotional regulation.

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2.       Teens Painting Through the Storm

Adolescence is a tough time to go through where they are experiencing a whirlwind of changes physically as well as emotionally. It is important for them to be able to learn and process these complex emotions in a healthy way. Art therapy is one such thing where they can get a feeling of a safe space without any limitation of words. Creating collages, symbols, graphic depiction allows them to distance themselves from their own problems, and then they interpret their own art pieces to the therapist. Feelings like identity, teenage stress, self-worth, social-connectedness can be delved into, and a variety of disorders specific to this age bracket like eating disorders, substance use, and family concerns can be explored.

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3.       Adults Sculpting Self-Awareness

Being throw into the real world and struggling with independence all comes with the freedom of adulthood. Art therapy allows adults to feel in control of their life and take a much needed break from the constant hustle and bustle. Healing through creativity for adults can be used to improve mental health, improve cognitive function, better interpersonal relationships, and give clarity to their thoughts and feelings. It is especially beneficial for those who might have gone through a traumatic experience and haven’t been able to express their emotions freely. Therapists trained in art and psychological theory assist their clients in integrating nonverbal cues and metaphors.

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4.       Seniors Rediscovering Joy in Every Stroke

During aging, quality of life is something that remains one of the most important concerns for older adults. When memory, reflexes, and overall health starts to decline, artistic activities can help immensely. It improves cognitive function, offers a sense of accomplishment and boosts confidence, provides solace and relaxation, and also aids in combating feelings of loneliness or isolation as a way to interact with the community.

How to Start Your Art Therapy Journey: DIY

Making collages is a great way to start easy when you don’t want to feel pressured with making a realistic drawing or painting just yet. Clay sculptures are where you can let your creative-self feel free to do whatever it wants, and it can be merged with other art forms as well. Origami, originating from Japan, can be really helpful to engage in when you need a sense of personal calm and relaxation. Just doodling, or using those in a more design oriented way like in mandalas and mehendi art, is also quite fun and therapeutic. You can definitely go all-out when it comes to this, and self-care as and when you like!

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