Creative Arts Therapy

There are numerous forms of talk therapy involving various techniques, however, it is less recognised that there is a multitude of other types of expressive therapy that can have the same benefits of talk therapy. 

Creative Arts Therapy can involve the use of art,  music, drama, dance/movement, poetry/creative writing, bibliotherapy, play or sand play.

Creative Arts Therapy is a form of expressive therapy that uses the creative process of making art to improve a person’s physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.

Who is it for?

Creative Arts Therapy is a preferable type of therapy for those who find it extremely difficult to talk about experience or issues they have faced or are facing presently. Some extremely traumatic experiences are often unbearably hard to verbally express and it can provide a different platform of communication for the client.

It is often used for children and it can provide a less intimidating setting for a child to be able to express themselves. It is also used as a symbolic language. With the help of the therapist, the child deciphers the meaning of the picture and discusses the underlying issues that inspired the artwork.

No matter how it is used, art therapy can be a creative outlet for children struggling with the circumstances of their lives.

The Creative Arts Therapies are evidence-based interventions that work on the innate human impulse to engage with, react to and identify with the arts, be it music, art, drama or dance.

This engagement can often be the most important factor, for example: if a client is willing to heavily engage and interact with a certain topic with the therapist yet when the therapist changes subject and the client shies away from this particular topic then there may be more meaning towards this that can be discovered through the art therapy.

What can it help treat?

Creative Arts Therapy has become more widely used in evolving a safe interactive approach between both client and therapist. It has been noted to have a range of benefits and can help treat the various amount of conditions such as :

• Death of a family member or friend.
• Childhood trauma involving physical, mental, or sexual abuse.
• Learning disabilities.
• Manage addictions.
• Improve self-esteem.
• Emotional issues like fear of abandonment or phobias.
• Improve cognitive abilities.
• Deal with the challenges of serious diseases like cancer.
• Treating mental disorders such as schizophrenia or depression.
• Help children understand and deal with physical disabilities.
• Understand and treat behavioural problems.

If you feel like things are getting too overwhelming or you would like to seek help with any of the issues mentioned above, then contact us here at MyMind. We have a range of mental health professionals who practice a range of interactive approaches including creative arts therapy.

Taking the first step can often be the most difficult especially if you would like to avoid the process of talking about your issues and would like to attempt a different way of expressing yourself. To arrange a session of your choosing you can call us by telephone at 076 680 1060 or you can email us at hq@mymind.org.