What is Art Therapy in Mental Health Treatment?

At We Level Up Tamarac FL mental health center, art is not just for art’s sake. We use the therapeutic qualities of art to make you feel better. Art is a tool for you to look within yourself and understand what you feel deep down. You then express it using one of the artistic techniques and communicate what you need. This unique feature of art is why we use it as a form of therapy. What is art therapy exactly? We will tell you what it consists of, how it works, and how it will help you feel better and happier.

What is Art Therapy?

Art therapy, as defined by the American Art Therapy Association, is a form of therapy that uses the creative process of making art to improve a person’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It’s not just about being good at art; it’s about expressing yourself through your creations.

How Does Art Therapy Work?

During art therapy in mental health treatment, you use materials like paint, clay, or markers to create art under the guidance of a trained therapist. The goal isn’t to produce a masterpiece but to focus on the process of creation. This process can help you express feelings that might be hard to put into words.

What Are the Objectives of Art Therapy in Mental Health Treatment?

The main goals of art therapy in mental health treatment include behavior management, processing emotions, lowering anxiety and stress levels, and boosting self-esteem. For example, by creating art, you can explore emotions and deal with them in a safe space. This helps in understanding and coping with various emotional issues. Art therapy is often used to support the treatment of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health conditions.

The Benefits of Art Therapy

Art therapy in mental health treatment benefits you in many ways. It will help you:

• Express yourself better. If you struggle to express yourself with words, cannot articulate your inner state, or words just don’t seem to do the trick – art therapy will help you get your feelings across.
• Reduce your stress and anxiety. You tend to pay more attention while you’re working on a specific assignment. Therefore, you will think about what you are doing rather than about things that cause you stress. When you engage in art, you get relaxed and calm.
• Relieve from physical pain. Art is therapeutic. It will change how you perceive pain, which will give you relief.

During depression treatment in Florida, art therapy will help you get a deeper connection with your emotions. Often, you explore them more easily when you do art than when you just talk about them. Also, when you translate what you feel inside to art that you can see, you gain new insights and understand yourself better.

Benefits in Hospitals and Rehabilitation Centers

Art therapy is particularly beneficial in medical settings. It leads to:

• Enhanced coping skills: Helps you cope with the stress of illness and hospitalization.
• Emotional release: Provides a safe outlet to express feelings about your health and treatment.
• Contributes to recovery: Improves your mood and mental well-being, making your recovery more successful.

Art Therapy in Practice

In mental health facilities, we use therapy to support the treatment of mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Besides creating an environment where people will support you and encourage you to open up, you might do it more effectively with art as an outlet.

At rehabilitation centers, art therapy helps you recover from substance abuse or physical injuries. It gives you new, healthy ways to cope with the challenges you face during rehab.

End the Emotional Pain. Get Your Life Back.

Feeling Depressed, Anxious or Struggling with Mental Health Illness? Get Safe Comfortable Mental Health Dual Diagnosis High-Quality Therapy From Counselors That Care. Begin Your Recovery Now.

Hotline (855) 940-6125

Types of Activities in Art Therapy Sessions

Each type of activity during art therapy in mental health treatment is there to ease expression and enhance healing. These activities include:

• Drawing: It is a simple activity that everybody can do. It helps you express detailed emotions. You can create stories and draw simple or complex sketches. As you create stories and scenes, you access your subconscious and reveal underlying thoughts.
• Painting: This is a soothing activity. It involves the senses, in particular, sight and touch. You can express many things by combining colors and textures.
• Sculpture: It gives you a tactile experience. You can manifest your feelings in physical form. Sometimes, it is physically demanding. This is good because it releases endorphins.

Who Can Benefit from Art Therapy?

Art therapy has benefits for:

• People with severe mental illness – If you are coping with schizophrenia, severe depression, bipolar disorder, or other serious conditions, you can find a solution in art therapy. It will give you a way to manage symptoms, express emotions, and communicate better than you might have with words.
• Children and adolescents – Young people dealing with emotional or behavioral issues find art therapy beneficial as it allows them to express feelings they may not yet have the words to describe.
• Adults going through stress or transition – Whether it’s stress from work, a life transition like divorce, or grief, art therapy in mental health treatment gives you a therapeutic outlet to explore and cope with these challenges.
• Elderly people – Older adults, including those with dementia or Alzheimer’s, can use art therapy to maintain or enhance their cognitive functions and emotional well-being.
• People with physical disabilities – Art therapy can help improve motor skills, manage pain, and offer emotional support for individuals dealing with physical health challenges.

Promoting social interaction with others is a central feature of art therapy. This is very valuable if you are dealing with anxiety. Art therapy in Fort Lauderdale anxiety treatment means a space for socialization, where you connect with other people and get and give support.

Are Floridians Struggling With Poor Mental Health?

In 2007, about 9.7% of adult people in Florida said they experienced poor mental health for 14 or more days in the previous month. Data from the Florida Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System reports that this number increased as time passed by. In 2020, more Floridians struggled with poor mental health, namely – 12.3%.

If you are coping with mental health issues, the best thing to do is to seek professional help and not wait. Good mental health means a good life, and you should ask for support immediately.

Finding an Art Therapist

The first thing you need to do is check the credentials. Your art therapist needs to be registered or certified by a recognized professional body, such as the American Art Therapy Association (AATA). This shows that your therapist has the necessary training and education needed to give you therapy services.

Do your homework to locate a trustworthy art therapist. Look for hospitals, private clinics, and mental health facilities in Fort Lauderdale. Usually, they list their services on their websites. You can access the information easily and look for options that are available nearby.

In addition, ask for referrals. Speak with healthcare providers, counselors, or mental health professionals who might recommend reputable art therapists. A good recommendation is very valuable. Also, be more specific and ask for specifics you need, such as a therapist who excels in treating trauma or other conditions you need.

Once you do your research – book a consultation to discuss your needs. See if their approach fits what you expect. This will be a chance for you to see the facility and get an idea of what the facility is like.

Get Better with Art Therapy

What is art therapy in mental health treatment? Certainly not only a fun activity. It is much more than that – a method we use at We Level Up Tamarac FL to inspire you to express yourself, understand your feelings, and start feeling better. Art is a core part of humanity and its qualities are healing (for everybody, not just people with addiction or mental health issues). Art therapy in mental health treatment is good for children, adults, and the elderly. It is for people with severe mental illnesses and people going through major life changes. You will find inner peace and feel better whether you choose to draw, paint, or make a sculpture.

Reach Out Today and Discover How Art Therapy in Mental Health Treatment Can Help You

To enhance your mental health, you should explore art therapy. Engaging in art activities will reduce your stress and make working through personal challenges easier. Art therapy in mental health treatment is your chance to try a refreshing and effective approach. Contact us today and discover how creative endeavor will bring you a happier life.

Experience Transformative Recovery at the We Level Up Treatment Center.

See our authentic success stories. Get inspired. Get the help you deserve.

Hotline (855) 940-6125

Voluntarily testimonials from the We Level Up Treatment Center network vary. Not intended as a guaranteed treatment or outcome as each person's journey is unique.