Self Growth Through Art

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For many people, conveying how they feel about something can be a struggle. They may know what they want to say but can’t find a way to express it properly; it’s like the words are stuck in their brain, and they cannot verbalize them.

Self Growth Through Art

Developing interpersonal skills and communication can be rooted in low self-esteem, confidence issues, or simply not learning how to. People who struggle with different mental health disorders may also struggle to find an effective solution to help them communicate.

For people who have trouble communicating, some therapeutic methods may not work for them. Individuals may not know how to express what they are feeling with words properly. As a result, they may not get everything out of the therapy that they are looking for.

However, there are many methods available that can be tailored to what one wants and needs in their healing process. Expressive art is an experiential therapy that treats mental health disorders through a creative approach while implementing psychological theories. This therapy can be used as a tool for people to grow and build self-expression and verbal communication.

How Art Can Heal

Art has been a form of expression since the inception of humanity. For many centuries, people have used different art styles to convey how they feel about something and their view of the world, a message for people to see.

Art has also been used to open a window into what is happening in an individual’s culture or government, helping to speak about the injustices found in their community. To this day, art is still being used for all these same reasons.

Many artists can agree that the process of creating a painting, sculpture, or any other art style can be therapeutic. Knowing that what’s being made is being meticulously crafted by the creative mind is gratifying.

The end result of the art piece is a reward for all the hard work put in. However, the journey of creating art is a gift too. Thinking of the intricate parts that need to be placed and how the person’s expressions are coming to life enriches the mind.

Not only does art help the artist, but the person observing it can be healed as well through a connection with the piece. Art can stimulate the spectator’s brain by processing what they believe it means or analyzing the details. Art is an excellent source for inner growth and development.

Using Art in Therapy

Art can be therapeutic and stimulating in healing a person, but how does it work in the psychological atmosphere? How is art helping individuals heal from trauma and trauma-induced symptoms?

Art can be used to treat a variety of mental health concerns, including:

  • Eating disorders
  • High levels of stress
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Addiction
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

The process of expressive art is enjoyable because it’s not demanding. The individual creating the art piece isn’t being measured by how the art looks. Instead, art therapy helps individuals analyze what is being made and why.

The individual’s senses being used during the process help the healing process and support growth. Expressive art grants individuals the opportunity to communicate non-verbally by expressing how they feel through the art process.

After creating an art piece, an individual may have an easier time expressing what they are trying to convey. The individual can converse with a therapist about what they see and the explanation behind their thought process. The experience is enriching for the person and allows them to openly communicate and express their feelings.

The Benefits of Expressive Art

While working on a piece of art, different things are happening to an individual’s development and growth. Even after the piece is complete, this growth and healing continue.

A person can see how their communication skills have improved and can socially interact with another individual. Art therapy can help them see the improvements made in the issues they are struggling with and find peace.

Expressive art provides the chance for a person to have a new understanding and view of an art medium. They can have a new appreciation for what art can do and its effect on the healing process.

Art therapy helps create a new type of critical thinking in analyzing subtle, hidden messages throughout the process of creating art. If the individual decides to continue creating on their own, they can still apply these to their own work.

While art therapy doesn’t mean a person will become a great artist, it can help them gain new talents and ways to communicate. It can also help strengthen skills, reshape skills, and discover skills that weren’t known beforehand.

For some people, talk therapy can be challenging. You may not know how to get your words out or accurately describe what you are going through. Luckily, expressive art can help this process. Through art therapy, you can learn to express what you are struggling with using an art medium. Whether it is painting, drawing, sculpting, or digital, art can help you get your emotions out. As you go through this process with a therapist, you can discover the thoughts behind your art pieces. You can learn to communicate and heal. At Sabino Recovery, we are here to help you heal from trauma and trauma-induced symptoms using various therapeutic approaches, including expressive art. Our privately owned, family-oriented facility elicits growth and recovery by fostering a sense of empathy, trust, and connection. We treat each person as a unique individual with the philosophy that unresolved conflict can manifest in various unhealthy ways. To learn more, call us at (844) 227-7014.

Self Growth Through Art

Jan 18, 2021

Mental Health

Shara Turner, LPC, MSC, NCC, NARM

For many people, conveying how they feel about something can be a struggle. They may know what they want to say but can't find a way to express it properly; it's like the words are stuck in their brain, and they cannot verbalize them.

Self Growth Through Art

Developing interpersonal skills and communication can be rooted in low self-esteem, confidence issues, or simply not learning how to. People who struggle with different mental health disorders may also struggle to find an effective solution to help them communicate.

For people who have trouble communicating, some therapeutic methods may not work for them. Individuals may not know how to express what they are feeling with words properly. As a result, they may not get everything out of the therapy that they are looking for.

However, there are many methods available that can be tailored to what one wants and needs in their healing process. Expressive art is an experiential therapy that treats mental health disorders through a creative approach while implementing psychological theories. This therapy can be used as a tool for people to grow and build self-expression and verbal communication.

How Art Can Heal

Art has been a form of expression since the inception of humanity. For many centuries, people have used different art styles to convey how they feel about something and their view of the world, a message for people to see.

Art has also been used to open a window into what is happening in an individual’s culture or government, helping to speak about the injustices found in their community. To this day, art is still being used for all these same reasons.

Many artists can agree that the process of creating a painting, sculpture, or any other art style can be therapeutic. Knowing that what's being made is being meticulously crafted by the creative mind is gratifying.

The end result of the art piece is a reward for all the hard work put in. However, the journey of creating art is a gift too. Thinking of the intricate parts that need to be placed and how the person's expressions are coming to life enriches the mind.

Not only does art help the artist, but the person observing it can be healed as well through a connection with the piece. Art can stimulate the spectator's brain by processing what they believe it means or analyzing the details. Art is an excellent source for inner growth and development.

Using Art in Therapy

Art can be therapeutic and stimulating in healing a person, but how does it work in the psychological atmosphere? How is art helping individuals heal from trauma and trauma-induced symptoms?

Art can be used to treat a variety of mental health concerns, including:

  • Eating disorders

  • High levels of stress

  • Traumatic brain injuries

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Addiction

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

The process of expressive art is enjoyable because it's not demanding. The individual creating the art piece isn't being measured by how the art looks. Instead, art therapy helps individuals analyze what is being made and why.

The individual's senses being used during the process help the healing process and support growth. Expressive art grants individuals the opportunity to communicate non-verbally by expressing how they feel through the art process.

After creating an art piece, an individual may have an easier time expressing what they are trying to convey. The individual can converse with a therapist about what they see and the explanation behind their thought process. The experience is enriching for the person and allows them to openly communicate and express their feelings.

The Benefits of Expressive Art

While working on a piece of art, different things are happening to an individual’s development and growth. Even after the piece is complete, this growth and healing continue.

A person can see how their communication skills have improved and can socially interact with another individual. Art therapy can help them see the improvements made in the issues they are struggling with and find peace.

Expressive art provides the chance for a person to have a new understanding and view of an art medium. They can have a new appreciation for what art can do and its effect on the healing process.

Art therapy helps create a new type of critical thinking in analyzing subtle, hidden messages throughout the process of creating art. If the individual decides to continue creating on their own, they can still apply these to their own work.

While art therapy doesn’t mean a person will become a great artist, it can help them gain new talents and ways to communicate. It can also help strengthen skills, reshape skills, and discover skills that weren’t known beforehand.

For some people, talk therapy can be challenging. You may not know how to get your words out or accurately describe what you are going through. Luckily, expressive art can help this process. Through art therapy, you can learn to express what you are struggling with using an art medium. Whether it is painting, drawing, sculpting, or digital, art can help you get your emotions out. As you go through this process with a therapist, you can discover the thoughts behind your art pieces. You can learn to communicate and heal. At Sabino Recovery, we are here to help you heal from trauma and trauma-induced symptoms using various therapeutic approaches, including expressive art. Our privately owned, family-oriented facility elicits growth and recovery by fostering a sense of empathy, trust, and connection. We treat each person as a unique individual with the philosophy that unresolved conflict can manifest in various unhealthy ways. To learn more, call us at (844) 227-7014.

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