Integrating Art Into the Journey Toward Holistic Health

By Lauren K. Lambie, MS, NCC, LCPC, LCPAT, ATR-BC

Pegasus Therapy

. https://pegasuspsychotherapy.com/

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Integrating Art Into the Journey Toward Holistic Health

Art therapy is a therapeutic modality which uses art as a means of symbolic expression of feelings and thoughts. The art making process and working with various art materials promotes change and develops insight into many aspects of everyday functioning and experiences. This process requires people to make choices which help develop positive decision-making skills. Individuals need not have specialized skills to express themselves using art. In fact, imagery is often the very first language used by people of all ages and in cultures throughout the world.

The creative process allows for an opportunity to bridge the gap between an individual’s thoughts and feelings, inner and outer worlds, bringing order to confusion thereby creating an integration of these parts. The process of making art can be a valuable part of a holistic approach to treatment and can make both mental health and clinical medical issues more manageable by expressing them in a tangible format. These visual clues are extremely beneficial in aiding assessment and developing individual treatment goals and objectives. The actual process by which the artwork is made also serves as a powerful tool to reduce stress, connect with underlying issues and provide a visual method of transformation toward positive change.

Art therapy can be a primary treatment modality or can be used to support other treatment protocols to address both medical and mental health issues. The art making process is effective in helping individuals manage many of the physical effects of health issues including chronic pain, auto immune illnesses, disabilities, trauma  and other physical issues which can cause impairment in daily functioning. Art therapy is also extremely helpful in addressing the emotional responses which coincide with these health issues.

Engaging in the process of art therapy during individual, group or family sessions helps people gain insight about their inner worlds, past/present experiences, life transitions and relationships. Artist Georgia O’Keefe said, “I found that I could say things with colors and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way-things I had no words for.” Art therapy often provides a more direct  connection to unconscious thoughts and feelings. This can help working with issues like anxiety, trauma, depression, anger, relationships and negative self-concept by making it easier to express complicated ideas and emotions which can often be difficult to discuss. Art making used in the therapeutic process offers individuals a valuable pathway toward healing and well-being.