Contribution of Art Therapy
Art Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that
uses art media as its primary mode of communication. Art has long
been known to have therapeutic properties. When creating visual
images, people ‘draw’ on the right side of their brains – the same
side that is used before spoken language develops. It is where
visual memories are stored.
Art Therapy is practiced by registered Art
Therapists who work with children, young people, adults and the
elderly. Clients who can use art therapy may have a wide range of
difficulties or diagnoses. These include, for example emotional,
behavioural or mental health problems, learning or physical
disabilities, brain injury or neurological conditions and physical
illness. Art Therapy may be provided for groups or for individuals,
depending on the clients’ needs. The process is primarily client
centred. It is not a recreational activity or an art lesson,
although the sessions can be enjoyable. Clients do not need to have
any previous experience or expertise in art.
As a profession, Art Therapy is strongly
anchored within public services and Art Therapists have long worked
as active members of multi-disciplinary teams alongside colleagues
from other professions.
Addressing the Emotional and Mental Health
Needs of Adults and Young People with a Learning Disability via Art
Psychotherapy.This is a joint project between Salford PCT
and Salford City Council to address the mental health needs of
people in Salford who have a learning disability through Art
Psychotherapy. Research shows that people
with learning disabilities are more likely to experience an episode
of mental illness during their lives than the general
population. The Art Psychotherapy Servicehas focused
on reducing these health inequalities
Contact: Andrea
Chadwick, andrea.chadwick@salford-pct.nhs.uk
|
Art Therapists are also artists who maintain
an active involvement in art work themselves, and they often work
in partnership with ‘Arts in Health’ initiatives. For instance, Art
Therapists working at West London Mental health Trust are
supporting a user-led art group, where the focus is on the art
process.
The British Association of Art Therapists has
been actively involved in supporting ‘New Ways of Working’,
and will be disseminating its recommendations to its members and
educators.
http://www.baat.org/