What do you think when you hear the words ‘art therapy’? Do you think it's therapy for artists? Maybe it's an art class, where you can learn to make art, Or perhaps you think of a person who teaches art to children. The above are just a few common misconceptions that surround creative arts therapy, despite arts therapy being an established practice since the 1940s used to improve mental wellbeing.
Misconceptions have plagued the mental health space for decades, so if you’re considering creative arts therapy and have few reservations, below we’ll debunk some of the common fallacies about who can benefit from arts therapy and what to expect.
Myth 1: Art Therapy is for artists
This is not true. Art therapy does not require that you have any artistic experience or skill. In a creative art therapy session, art is used as a tool to address your anxiety triggers and to help you reach your therapeutic goals.There is no judgement placed on the artistic quality of the work, as there is no right or wrong way of making art in creative arts therapy. So where in an art class, the goal may be to create something as accurate as possible (as in the case of a life drawing), the sources of art therapy emerges from your internal feels which are authentic to you.
Myth 2: Art therapy is just for children
“Art’s therapy is just child’s play!” Well actually say this untrue. Creative arts therapy can be effective for all ages and backgrounds. Art therapy is an effective form of therapy that combines visual and verbal tools to help practitioners of all ages to get a better understanding of their wellbeing. Using creative arts can help people of all ages to comprehend their feelings from a new perspective by helping you to visualise the issue at hand and then thinking about how you can alter the image and your reality to better your mind, body and spirit.
Myth 3: Art Therapy is like going to an art class
Creative arts therapy activities are so much more than “just an art class”. The art therapists are not art teachers but are professionally trained and accredited therapists who help people who are experiencing a range of anxiety and stress challenges. Creative art therapists aim to support the challenges caused by mental health difficulties and work hand in hand with the client to understand the triggers and help to develop coping mechanisms using art as a conduit to foster healing and mental well-being.
Myth 4: You have to create art in every session
Despite creative activities being the primary tool of expression, there is not a requirement to be creative in every session. Creative art therapy sessions are personalized to suit your needs and therefore the decision of using creative arts is up to you. Engaging in creative activities is an encouraged process which can help to visually bring to life your feelings and initiate verbal communications when discussing your mental health challenges.
How can mettlepods help?
mettlepods is designed to harness the power of creative activities combined with the principles of behavioural coaching.
- Empower yourself to address the cost of stress triggers and explore what you are missing out on
- Engage your mind and body with verbal communication and bursts of creative activities with the support of highly qualified and compassionate mental health professionals
The time is now to put yourself first with mettlepods. Register to receive a sample of our 6-week Anxiety support framework here.