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The process of making art can result in a lot more than just a finished product to display on a shelf.
Given the proliferation of adult coloring books and DIY painting studios, it seems some folks have figured this out. Does spending time making art really improve our mental state? Taking it a step further, can artistic activities help heal mental health conditions?
Creative arts therapy offers engaging ways to boost awareness of the arts and promote healing. It can help increase our awareness of ourselves and others, help us cope with stress and trauma, and enjoy the life-affirming pleasure of making art.
Creative arts therapy combines psychotherapy with art-based activities, including music and drama, to help treat mental health conditions. Creative arts therapists use art to help everyone, including kids and adults, hospitalized people, veterans and families or couples.
It doesn’t matter if you’re young or old, artistically inclined or not. Anyone can participate in and benefit from creative arts therapy. Music and creativity are inherent parts of the human experience.
Sound interesting? This episode is for you.
In Episode 68, Dr. G and his guests, music therapist Sarah Clewett and art therapist Valerie Maty, discuss how creative arts therapy is used not only to treat mental health but also how everyone can use art to improve their own well-being.
Guest
- Sarah Clewett, MA, MT-BC - Master of arts in music therapy and a board-certified music therapist at the Institute for Therapy Through the Arts; Classically trained oboist and musician.
- Valerie Maty, DAT, ATR-BC, LCPC, SEP, RPT, CADC - Doctorate in art therapy, board-certified art therapist, licensed clinical professional counselor, somatic experiencing practitioner, registered play therapist and certified alcohol and drug counselor at Labyrinth Counseling Center.
Myths vs. Facts
“The client or patient must have some musical ability to benefit from music therapy.” – Myth
Everyone can benefit from music therapy.
“When you work with an art therapist, you are in charge of your own artwork.” – Fact
The artwork belongs to you.
“A substantial body of literature exists to support the effectiveness of music therapy.” – Fact
Music therapy is still a new field, but research is growing every year.
“Art therapy is more beneficial than counseling or other types of psychotherapy.” – Myth
While art therapy is beneficial to many, so are the other forms of psychotherapy. In many cases, several types of psychotherapy are combined to assist someone.
“There is no “most common” type of music in music therapy: All styles of music have the potential to be useful in effecting change in a client’s or patient’s life.” – Fact
Music therapists use the music the client prefers.
“It’s the art itself that is the main healing factor in art therapy.” – Myth
The art, the process of making it and the therapeutic relationship all combine to promote healing.
Listener healthy OH-YEAH!
“I love to do some sewing or adult coloring while I sit near my “Happy Light” catching some much-needed extra vitamin D during these gloomy days.” – M.D.K.
Additional resources