Art Therapy: A form of psychotherapy involving the encouragement of free self-expression through painting, drawing or modeling, used as a remedial activity or an aid to diagnosis.
Now, before you click away because your idea of a portrait is a stick figure, you should know that you don't need to have any measure of artistic ability to reap the benefits of art therapy.
My earliest experience with art therapy was during my first hospitalization at the age of 17. Despite my usually-above-average communication abilities, when my condition gets particularly severe, I have a difficult time expressing my thoughts and feelings as they are far too overwhelming. My psychologist at the time appeared to be in-tune to the reasons I was not able to open up to her, and so after a few sessions, she asked me to color a rather intricate Mandela during our session. What I was particularly surprised to find was that I was able to open up without flooding myself with anxiety and painful thoughts or memories; That while I was focusing on coloring that Mandela, although I was still very much involved in our conversation, it enabled me to get out of my own head and recount to her my thoughts, feelings and stories for afar. I was able to separate myself from my emotions, if only for a short while.
That is only one of the amazing ways in which art therapy is able to help you. For those of you who have difficulty expressing yourself on a regular basis, art is a fantastic medium and outlet. It can be as simple as splashing colors on a sheet of paper, or as intricate as painting a landscape.
Have you ever heard that colors have feelings, too? Well, we without a doubt associate certain colors with feelings and emotions, and it is a very personal thing we do without even realizing it. Colors are open to interpretation.
What colors feel peaceful and comforting to you? Which colors feel anxious? Sad? Hopeless? Angry?
Here are a few ideas to help get you started:
1. Color an emotion wheel: Create a color wheel and write down which colors feel which way.
2. Paint a picture of what your mental illness looks like to you (and then feel free to crumple it up!)
3. Paint or color a lullaby (this one was recommended to me by my psychologist, and I particularly enjoyed this exercise).
4. Paint or color what your happiest moment felt like.
5. Make an art journal.
6. Draw line art (you may google or pinterest 'Zentangles' for inspiration!)
7. Make a collage of what represents peace and happiness to you.
8. Draw yourself as a tree.
9. Make a box of your values and dreams (or alternatively, your dreams as a child).
10. Create a brain map- What would your mind look like if we were able to take a peak inside?
Alycia
