Art speaks of originality, individuality, a creative process, graphic materials,
colors, textures, spontaneity, risk, alternatives, and imagination (Fleshman and Fryrear 75). Therapy implies taking care of, waiting, listening, healing, moving towards wholeness, growth provoking medicine, human exchange, sympathetic understanding (Fleshman and Fryrear 75).
What is Art Therapy?
According to the American Art Therapy Association, Inc.'s professional
definition of Art Therapy, Art Therapy is a human service profession that utilizes art
media, images, the creative art process and patient/client responses to the created
products as reflections of an individual's development, abilities, personality, interests, concerns and conflicts. Art Therapy practice is based on knowledge of human development and psychological theories which are implemented in the full spectrum of models of assessment and treatment including educational, psychodynamic, cognitive, transpersonal and other therapeutic means of reconciling emotional conflicts, fostering self-awareness, developing social skills, managing behavior, solving problems, reducing anxiety, aiding reality orientation and increasing self-esteem ("FAQ").
A variety of artistic methods is used in Art Therapy and divided into different
professional areas. Some artistic methods that are used are music therapy, dance therapy, psychodrama, movie therapy, speech therapy, recreational therapy, phototherapy and poetry therapy.
There are national organizations in America looking after standards, training and development in art therapies. The American Art Therapy Association, Inc. (AATA) is the most influential association among the Art Therapy organization in the United States. The American Art Therapy Association, Inc. is a national non-profit organization, which was founded in 1969 and represents over 4,750 individuals in five membership categories (Professional, Student, Associate, Contributing and Retired). It is governed and directed by a nine-member Board elected by the membership ("AATA Fact Sheet").
< BACK NEXT >