Why Is Art Therapy Helpful For Processing Emotions?

Most people understand and agree that therapy is beneficial for working through difficult emotions and mental health issues. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, or stress, talking about it can help. 

However, some people can’t open up as freely as others. 

Some people aren’t able to express themselves through words alone, and talk therapy isn’t a great option. 

That’s why art therapy can be such a fantastic alternative when it comes to processing emotions. 

But, what is art therapy, and why is it so useful? 

What Is Art Therapy? 

If you don’t consider yourself an artist or even a “creative” person, don’t let the title of “art therapy” turn you away. You don’t have to be skilled with a paintbrush to both enjoy and benefit from this type of therapy. 

Art therapy utilizes different creative processes to help individuals express themselves openly. It uses different art materials to explore different emotions through various avenues. In most cases, you’ll paint, sculpt, and draw, but different therapists may have different approaches to the tools you use. 

How Does it Help? 

If you’re not able to sit down and freely talk about your emotions, art therapy can be very beneficial. You’ll use different artforms to express your emotions without words. A therapist might offer you a prompt or ask a question before you get started. But, most of the time, you’ll work on free-form art that gives you the ability to express whatever happens to be on your mind. 

Your art therapist will help to guide you through self-expression. You’ll learn more about yourself through your art. You’ll explore, and become more self-aware. 

The more self-aware you are, the easier it is to process your emotions. You’ll begin to see the meaning and insight of your art, and eventually be able to talk about it. 

That’s an important thing to keep in mind – art therapy does involve some talking. However, combined with the art itself, you might find it’s much easier to open up. 

Re-Experiencing Emotions

Sometimes, it’s difficult to process emotions because they feel “jumbled.” You might be willing to talk about them, but you can’t express your feelings the way you truly want to. 

Working through those emotions by painting, drawing, coloring, or even photography can help to organize them in your mind. They’ll start to become clearer and less cluttered. After a while, processing them won’t feel as impossible or overwhelming.  

Additional Benefits

Another reason art therapy helps with processing emotions is that it can boost your self-esteem and confidence.

Depending on what you’re struggling with, you could be dealing with feelings of guilt, shame, or embarrassment. You might even be struggling with fear. 

As you work through different aspects of art, you’ll start to see yourself for who you really are. You’ll start to break down what your trauma, anxiety, or depression want you to be, or how they want you to view yourself. That kind of self-awareness and esteem can make a big difference in processing your emotions, and eventually talking through them. 

Again, you don’t have to be artistic or overly-creative to benefit from art therapy. If you’re having trouble working through your emotions, however, it could be an effective solution. 

You might even have fun expressing a side of yourself that you’ve never explored before. Art could become a stress-relieving passion that helps you manage your mental health every day. That can give you the ability to truly tap into your mind and heart while working through your emotions in a healthy and effective way. 

Interested in learning more about art therapy? Feel free to contact us for information, or to set up an appointment. 

3 Signs Your Child May Benefit From Art Therapy

It’s not always easy for adults to open up and express their emotions. Think about how much more difficult it can be for children. Sometimes, children can’t even fully understand what they’re feeling enough to express it properly. 

As a result, traditional forms of talk therapy aren’t always the best solution for every child. 

If you’re worried that your child might be struggling with anxiety, trauma, grief, or something else that has made them seem less like themselves lately, help is available. It might be time to consider art therapy. 

Not sure whether your little one would benefit from this unique approach? Let’s look at three signs indicating they could be a perfect candidate.

1. They Can’t Express Their Emotions

Whether your child is too young to express what they’re feeling or they’ve always had a hard time opening up, art therapy could be a perfect solution. 

Rather than focusing on talking and answering questions directly, art therapy uses different tools to let your child express themselves creatively. They might be “prompted” to draw something specific regarding their feelings or a situation, but they’re given a lot of freedom to express their thoughts and feelings however they want. 

Art therapy is also helpful for children with ADHD or on the autism spectrum. They might not be able to adequately express themselves through words, but they don’t deserve to be “punished” or to stay silent because of it.

2. They Can’t Focus

It’s not uncommon for kids with a creative streak to have trouble focusing. Children, in general, tend to have shorter attention spans. 

It’s not as easy for them to sit and talk to a therapist for an hour without getting distracted or feeling burnt out by the end of each session. 

Art therapy is different in that it mimics play. It allows your child to do something they would enjoy doing in their free time.

If your child is having trouble focusing in other areas of their life, including at school, art therapy can be beneficial. The activities will be tailored to their needs and interests, making it easier to get to the underlying cause of what they’re experiencing.

3. They Have Low Self-Esteem

Depending on your child’s age, it’s not uncommon for kids to struggle with confidence and self-esteem. Growing up is hard, and throughout different stages of life, kids often have to deal with things like self-doubt, bullying, or not doing well in school. 

If your child is struggling with low self-esteem, it could negatively impact other areas of their life. They might struggle in the classroom. Or, they might have a hard time making friends or holding on to the ones they have. 

Art therapy can help to bring out any “root” issues that your child might be dealing with. It also can help them discover their natural gifts and further explore their strengths. Children who struggle with self-esteem often crave positive feedback, and this type of therapy is a great way for them to achieve it. 

Is Art Therapy Right for Your Child? 

Most kids love drawing, coloring, and using creativity to express themselves every day. Art therapy harnesses that natural mentality and makes it easier for children to work through their emotions. It’s especially effective for younger kids but can benefit children at almost any age. 

This isn’t an exclusive list. Many children can benefit from art therapy, no matter what they’re dealing with. 

Interested in learning more about this process and how it might help your child?  Feel free to contact us.  Together, we can talk more about what you both can expect and how it can benefit your little one.