ART THERAPY
Insight and self-awareness are the goals of art therapy. With the help of the Art Therapist, the patient begins to understand what may set off certain behaviors based on memories long-buried and lost to consciousness. Yet, the Therapist is not committed to making the patient vulnerable to the past. Instead, the patient can feel more comfortable with releasing those impulses in a safe medium.
Case: Val is depressed, has been using drugs to make himself "feel better," and is on a downward path to self-destruction. Abstinence deals with the more obvious symptoms, but by focusing on his depression as well, he learns to identify the triggers to his drug abuse. With Art Therapy, Val will practice new, constructive behaviors by drawing out his feelings, then talking about them or writing about them, while he replaces his need for abusing drugs.
Case: Mary is 13 years old and, at the beginning of her adolescence, she trying to cope with a very troubled past . Art Therapy will help her heal some of her wounds safely and improve her self-esteem. She will talk in Art Therapy groups about her drawings, learn to accept compliments and value herself as a whole person. These experiences can be brought to her psychotherapy sessions, where she can be guided through the paths of painful memories.
Because many people think that what they can draw isn't worthwhile, the consensual validation they get from others relieves tension, stress and frustration. They can express sadness, emotional hurt, trauma, anger, love or pleasure with the use of color, different media, and simple lines and shapes.
The doctors and other psychotherapists at Rye Hospital Center regularly see their patients' work and, at the Comprehensive Treatment Plan meetings, can discuss with others the clinical issues as they arise.
Rita K. Colman, ATR, is the Art Therapist at Rye and a member of the American Art Therapy Association. She is a watercolorist and acrylic painter, with a Master of Science degree in Art Therapy, and has been an accredited art therapist for 20 years, supervising college student Interns earning course credit.