The Healing Power of Art

Snake River Valley by Richard Edde

More than a century ago, several European writers described the spontaneous art done by patients in mental hospitals. This irrepressible urge to make art out of any available materials confirms the compelling power of artistic expression to reveal inner experience. It was because art making provided a means of expression for those who were often uncommunicative that art therapy came to be developed as part of the healing professions.

Although conventional psychotherapy has its benefits in selected cases, there are many alternative therapies, such as music therapy, hypnosis, color therapy, and aroma therapy that have had a measure of success in treating various mental disorders. Art therapy is a form of expression that strives to aid patients who have suffered mental trauma and emotional abuse.

Art therapy is based on the belief that the creative process is healing and life affirming. For many people mental disease can be difficult to express in words. Art therapy provides a creative outlet for emotions too painful to express verbally.

Consider the following. Somewhere on a pediatric cancer ward a young child draws a picture of his brain. With a large crayon he draws a large circle where an inoperable tumor is located.

In a large empty house a recently widowed woman builds a shadowbox with pictures and keepsakes from her marriage, helping her to cope with her husband's death.

Dysfunctional family members communicate with each other silently by sharing pieces of modeling clay. Working together for the first time, they create a house that symbolizes an effort to improve their relationships.

In each of these cases, art therapy facilitated healing and growth.

If you would like more information about art therapy and the healing power of art visit The American Art Therapy Association.

Just paint it!