An overview of creative art therapy

Psychotherapists make use of Creative arts therapies with the understanding that when someone works under the guidance of a healthcare professional like a qualified psychotherapist, they become more communicative and expressive. It results in enhancing their awareness about issues and sets the pace for change. Becca Leitman Psychotherapy describes creative art therapies as the purposeful use of visual arts materials and media in psychotherapy and counseling, which consists of Music therapy, Drama therapy, Dance/movement therapy, Play therapy, Poetry therapy, and bibliotherapy, and sand therapy. 

Music therapy 

Music influences the mind and psychotherapists us it for treating people with certain mental conditions to bring about positive changes in the physical, psychological, cognitive, and social functioning when clients face health or educational problems. Musical therapy comprises clinical and evidence-based use of music to accomplish individualized goals and begins with a thorough assessment to identify the areas of needs of the individual as well as strengths and weaknesses. After ascertaining the individual’s needs, the therapist manages the role of music in the therapeutic process by designing interventions customized for that individual.

Drama therapy

Drama therapy is the purposeful use of drama or theater processes and associations to achieve symptom relief goals, personal growth, and emotional and psychological integration. The active approach that helps the individual tell his or her story to solve a problem, extend the depth of that individual’s experience, achieve catharsis, understanding the meaning of images, and enhance the ability to observe personal roles with flexibility between the roles.

Dance/ movement therapy

Dance/movement therapy is the use of movement for psychotherapeutic purposes as a process that enhances the cognitive, emotional, and physical integration of the person.  The therapy makes use of the assumption that there is an interrelation between the body and mind. Dance/ movement therapy brings about changes in feelings, physical functioning, cognition, and behavior, as interpreted by the American Dance Therapy Association. The therapists use expressive, communicative, and adaptive behaviors and interactions in treating both individuals and groups.

Play therapy

To establish an interpersonal process by trained play therapists, play therapy is the use of a theoretical model that use the therapeutic powers of play to help individual resolve psychological difficulties or prevent it for achieving optimal development and growth. Play therapy can be used separately for along with other medications and therapies and especially effective for children. The therapy helps families and children to express their emotions, improve their communications, and even solve problems. Therapists choose between directive and non-directive play therapies.

Sandplay therapy

This is a creative form of psychotherapy which involves the use of a sandbox and a large collection of miniatures to help the client discover the deeper layers of his or her psyche in a completely new format. The process involves constructing a series of sand pictures to help the client illustrate her psychological condition and even integrate it.

Usually, psychotherapists integrate two or more therapies to generate awareness, encourage emotional growth, and improve relationships with others. In addition to the above, many psychotherapists integrate activities to enhance relaxation that aids in trauma care.