ART THERAPY

Discover how artistic pursuits can become a powerful therapeutic tool used to peel back the layers of the psyche.

- SASHA SANDHER

Beyond the classroom, we think of art as a club for those with talent, creativity, and an ‘eye’ for what is and isn’t worth admiring. But there’s a lot more to it than that. Art also adds strokes of colour to life, and encourages us to dive deeply into the sea of introspection and reflection.

Art as therapy certainly isn’t a new concept, as its origins can be traced back to mid-20th century Europe, and the phrase itself was coined by British artist Adrian Hill in 1942 in his book Art Versus Illness. What is new, however, is the understanding of the profound power that paint, pencils, and plasticine can have in going beyond the superficial to understand ourselves more intimately.

Art therapy is usually administered by specialists who have undertaken training within the mental health field and then studied further in a specific Master’s programme. They work in diverse settings, ranging from medical institutions, schools, and psychiatric centres to independent practices. According to the American Art Therapy Association, it has been used to support those in a mental health crisis, military veterans suffering PTSD, those with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, patients, children unable to communicate their challenges, and more.

In a 2020 article published in BMC Cancer, it was revealed that in a study of adults receiving chemotherapy, art therapy improved the state of depression, anxiety, and pain in nearly all participants. Outside of clinical applications, art therapy can also be used as a way to plunge into introspection and self-perception—in a way that other wellness tools simply cannot accomplish.