Did you know that research has found that creating art has significant health benefits for mental health? It has even been found that just being in the presence of art can greatly improve stress. You may be familiar with the saying “a picture has a thousand words,” meaning that a piece of art can communicate in many unspoken and unique ways. When using art in therapy, clients can express their thoughts, feelings and experiences in a creative way. The goal of participating in art therapy can include emotion exploration, improving self-confidence, developing a sense of self and working on social skills. 

So, what kind of art is used?

Art therapy can include the following techniques:

• Coloring

• Collage

• Painting

• Drawing

• Clay work and sculpting

• Doodling and scribbling 

How can art therapy help me?

Research has found art therapy to be effective for clients of all ages for reducing stress, regardless of artistic experience or talent. Some examples of conditions that art therapies have been found effective with treating include:

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Disordered eating

• Stress

• Aging-related issues

• PTSD and trauma 

• Medical conditions

• Children with learning disabilities

• Children with behavioral issues 

• Individuals who suffered a brain injury

• Addictive behaviors

Art and the brain

Art therapy is focused on the client’s inner experiences. Clients are instructed to focus on their own perception, imagination, and feelings. Art involves right brain dominance since this experience largely involves tactile, auditory, kinesthetic, and proprioceptive senses - in short, art therapy can access trauma memories on a sensory level versus a verbal level. Research about art therapy has found that when used with individuals who have experienced trauma, art expression can be used as a way to help reconnect sensory memory with explicit memory, which is the left’s brain chronological narrative of events, meaning, art therapy can help a client make sense and meaning of trauma.

Art activates the reward center of our brain. A 2017 research study measured the blood flow to the brain’s reward center (the medial prefrontal cortex) in 26 study participants as they completed 3 different art activities: coloring a mandala picture, doodling, and drawing freely on a blank sheet of paper. The results of this study indicated an increase in blood flow to the brain’s reward center when they were making art. Another study proved that art can significantly lower cortisol levels, which is a hormone that helps the body respond to stress, indicating that art helps lower levels of stress and anxiety. Other chemicals in the brain found to be positively affected by art engagement include Serotonin, Dopamine, and Norepinephrine. 

Things to keep in mind

You don’t need to be a talented or experienced artist to participate in art therapy. In fact, all you need is an open mind! However, it is important to know that art therapy is not beneficial for all conditions. For example, clients with a history of schizophrenia are not going to experience reduced positive symptoms (hallucinations, delusions) while engaging in art therapy. There is also talking in art therapy - talking is an important part of the process since it is used to check in with the client, ask questions to understand where the client is at, and to process thoughts and emotions that may emerge during the art-making process. For example, your therapist may ask questions like: “What feelings come up for you as you look at your artwork?” or “What part stands out to you?

In summary, specific benefits of art therapy have been found to include lowered stress levels, improved emotion regulation, improved focus, improved sensory processing, and improved future focus. Interested in trying out art therapy? Contact us at the Mental Wellness Center to explore further!