Art therapy is the use of the creative process for therapeutic purposes. In this sheet, you will discover this practice in more detail, its principles, its history, the different means of doing art therapy, the benefits of this practice, who practices it, how a session takes place and how to become an art therapist. ?

Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses artistic creation (drawing, painting, collage, sculpture, etc.) to make contact with one’s inner life (feelings, dreams, unconscious, etc.), express it and oneself. transform. This practice is very widespread in the health sectors. It is used as a mode of intervention in psychotherapy, particularly in subjects having difficulty expressing what they feel through speech, with young children as well as in physiotherapy to develop better self-confidence and promote rehabilitation.

In addition, some schools of thought consider that art therapy can go beyond the framework of psychotherapy and have broader humanitarian and therapeutic aims. It would help people who are sick, disabled or struggling with chronic pain or motor problems, for example.

The main principles

In art therapy, the goal of the process is not artistic. We do not worry about the quality or the appearance of the final work, the therapeutic approach consists in gradually letting our inner images emerge, which can be as much a reflection of past experiences as of dreams to which we aspire. The creative gesture calls upon the body which sets in motion to create a concrete work. At the same time, it appeals to the imagination, intuition, thought and emotions. The images or forms thus created, in addition to revealing certain aspects of oneself, can generate new vision and behaviors that will contribute to physical, emotional or spiritual healings.

One of the interesting aspects of art therapy is that, unlike speech, images remain and serve as a common thread. For example, a person undergoing therapy to resolve a conflictual relationship might initially “paint the pain” they are feeling. Gradually, she will manage to paint a new picture of the situation and will finally be able to see a new solution emerge. The role of the therapist is not to interpret the creative work, but to support the subject in its transformation and to accompany it from one artistic production to another so that it arrives at greater clarity.

Coloring, a flagship discipline of art therapy

Long reserved for children, coloring books for adults have appeared on the market in recent years. This success can be explained by the fact that coloring is easy to access, and that it does not require knowledge from a technical point of view. In addition, it is affordable because it is inexpensive. Coloring is an activity that promotes concentration, and which allows you to let go and not think about anything. It is in this that it is deeply anti-stress. Some specialists even believe that the effects of coloring could be similar to those of meditation. Many clues about the internal life of the individual can emerge after coloring: the colors used, the type of line …

Other arts to choose from

Theater

The theatrical expression can be used as art therapy. The exercises are very varied. For example, the use of puppets will allow the individual to project and communicate indirectly about himself. Other exercises can consist of meeting your “inner self”, putting a memory on stage, telling your own tale … Whether it is to get to know yourself better, or to release your emotions, theater can be an excellent therapy.

Music

Also called music therapy, music therapy is a privileged way to access and release emotions. We speak of receptive music therapy when the individual listens to music, and active music therapy when the individual creates a musical extract using an instrument. Music therapy is used in particular in autistic people and in anxious individuals.

Dance

Dance therapy allows the individual to bring out their emotions and express themselves through their body. Here, there is no learning but pure expression. Some exercises can consist in expressing his anger (the dance of the warrior), his sensuality (the dance of the princess). They allow you to disinhibit and free yourself.

Visual arts

Drawing, painting, collage, pottery, charcoal … There are a multitude of tools to create and set up an artistic creation process for therapeutic purposes. It is by observing the way of structuring the space, of arranging the forms, of using the colors, of associating the ideas that the individual can, with his companion, succeed in giving meaning to his creation and to his ” inspire them to make the desired changes in their life.

Although few well-controlled scientific studies have been published on art therapy, here are the main references relating to its effectiveness.

Improve the quality of life of the elderly

A randomized control study was conducted among 40 people aged 70 to 97 years. The results reveal that an art therapy intervention based on the observation of works of art improves emotional well-being and various physiological parameters (blood pressure, fatigue, pain, etc.). In another study, people aged 60 to 86 participated, for 1 month, in one of the following 3 approaches: theater sessions, discussions based on works of visual art, or no intervention18. The elderly who followed the theater sessions significantly improved their cognitive functions and their psychological well-being compared to the other 2 groups, and these improvements were maintained after 4 months.

Helping cancer patients 

In 2010, 2 reviews concluded that an art therapy approach could be beneficial in people with cancer, at several levels of the course of the disease. Among the articles reviewed, a few results showed a decrease in the anxiety and depression levels of patients, an improvement in their quality of life, as well as positive effects on their personal growth, their ability to cope with the disease and on their interaction. social. Positive effects of art therapy (decrease in anxiety and stress) have also been observed with family caregivers.

Reduce stress and anxiety

According to the results of a random study of 36 nursing students, an art therapy session including drawing, painting, writing and collage could be beneficial in reducing stress and anxiety and fostering emotions. positive.

Helping people with post-traumatic stress disorder

The author of a scientific article combining case studies and a few clinical studies studied the contribution of art therapy to the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. According to the researcher, art therapy could help people, whether victims or witnesses, to better manage all of their symptoms of post-traumatic stress of a physical, cognitive, emotional and behavioral nature.

Helping children with asthma 

In 2010, a clinical study was carried out on 22 children suffering from asthma. It found that children receiving a weekly art therapy session for 7 weeks showed decreased anxiety levels and improved quality of life. It should be noted that this study was not intended to reduce the severity or frequency of asthma attacks.

The specialist

The art therapy specialist can be his or her own boss, or an employee of a private or public structure. Thus, he can therefore practice in different hospital services, whether in oncology or geriatrics for example. He can also work in a retirement home or at home.

Depending on his specialization, the art therapist has theoretical and practical knowledge about the type of artistic discipline he uses as a medium.

Course of a session

An art therapy session takes place individually or in a group, in a friendly place that more often resembles an art workshop than a therapist’s office. Before undertaking the work of creation, the therapist seeks to define the motives and the objectives which lead the participant to follow a therapy in order to better guide him. Then, he gives him technical advice relating to the materials chosen and encourages him to express himself by visually representing what he has decided to invest in.

The duration of therapy is variable. It may take a few sessions to pinpoint the problem. The therapy can also extend over a larger number of meetings.

Become an art therapist

In France, the title of art therapist is listed in the directory of professional certifications. There is a university degree in art therapy which can be done in Tours, Grenoble and Lille. Accessible to holders of a master’s degree, this diploma takes two years and allows two years, it allows them to specialize in a particular field. Some schools also offer training in art therapy. In tours, AFRATAPEM offers training at 2 euros, accessible on file.

Contraindications of art therapy

There are no particular contraindications to the practice of art therapy. This is more on a case-by-case basis, indeed, for example, the paint is not recommended for individuals allergic to its components.

The application of art for therapeutic purposes is not a new concept. Ancient Greece, like most traditional cultures, considered the arts to have a cathartic and therapeutic effect. At the start of the 1875th century, the Swiss psychiatrist Carl G. Jung (1961-XNUMX) himself had already experienced the benefits of expression through drawing. He then incorporated this approach into his practice.

However, art therapy did not make its official entry into contemporary society until the 1930s. It was first introduced in England and the United States thanks to Margaret Naumburg, a teacher and psychotherapist recognized as the one of the pioneers in the field. In Canada, among the therapists who have contributed to the integration of art into psychiatric treatment, we can mention Martin A. Fisher who founded, in 1967, the Toronto Art Therapy Institute and, in 1977, the Canadian Art Therapy Association. .

In France, despite the training programs offered since the 1970s, art therapy is not yet widespread. England is the first European country where the profession was recognized by the Public Health Services, in 1997. In Germany, insurance covers, in some cases, the costs of care, while in most other countries Europeans, the work of professional recognition remains to be done.