ART THERAPY | Kaleido Art Therapy

ART PSYCHOTHERAPY?

WHAT IS ART THERAPY?

Art therapy is a form of art psychotherapy which examines and understands people’s behaviours, interactions, emotions and relationships, which in turn can help support the individual to change and understand these areas. Rooted in psychoanalysis, art therapy draws inspiration from various psychological theories like attachment-based psychotherapy, leading to the development of diverse client-centered methodologies.

Defined by the Australian and New Zealand Arts Therapy Association (ANZACATA) as a form of psychotherapy employing creative modalities such as visual art-making, drama, and dance/movement within a therapeutic setting to enhance physical, mental, and emotional well-being, arts therapies encompass psychodynamic and psychoanalytic principles alongside contemporary evidence- and practice-based frameworks. These include humanistic, behavioral, depth analytic, systematic, and integrative approaches. In short, Art Therapy processes are based on counselling frameworks and incorporate art into the dialogue as a mechanism for working through the concepts that clients bring to the therapeutic relationship.

Distinguishing itself from conventional art creation, arts therapies prioritize the process of creating and attributing meaning over the aesthetics of the final artwork. Unlike art classes or recreational activities, art therapy does not necessitate prior artistic skills. Instead, it offers clients a platform to creatively engage with art materials, others, and their emotional and mental states as a means of expression and understanding when verbal communication proves challenging.

You do not need have a specific 'reason.' to attend art therapy.

Art Therapy can provide a safe space for self-exploration and personal growth.
It can help individuals navigate life challenges and improve their overall well-being.
Art Therapy offers a non-judgmental environment to express emotions and thoughts.
Seeking therapy can be a proactive step towards enhancing mental health and self-awareness.
It is a valuable resource for developing coping skills and resilience.

WHAT IS NOT ART THERAPY?

Arts therapy is not an art class
Arts Therapies differ from traditional art-making in the sense that the emphasis is on the process of meaning-making and creating that occurs rather than on the aesthetics of the finished product. It is not an art lesson or a recreational activity, nor does it require any previous art experience. What Art Therapy can do is provide opportunities for clients to engage creatively with art materials, others and their own emotional and mental states when verbal interaction becomes difficult.

Art Therapy is not best suited to Artistic types

You don't have to be good at art or even creative. In fact if you are not, the creative process may open up a whole new side to you that you never knew was there. Art Therapy works by accessing creativity and imagination, rather than artistic ability or knowledge, developing a more integrated sense of self.

Art Therapy does not have no basis in science

Practice- and evidence-based research is well established in Art Therapy

Art Therapists do not interpret the artwork created in an Art Therapy session

The therapist’s interpretation is far less important compared to the client’s own reflections on their creative work. Art Therapists work on the principle that each individual brings unique personal experiences and cultural influences to the creative process and the therapist’s role in this case is to empower the client to discover their own meaning-making.