Is Art Therapeutic?
(Featured works by Eric Egualada)

Can looking at, doing, or being surrounded by art provide any therapeutic benefit to a person undergoing difficulties in life whether physical or psychological?  This is what art therapy is supposed to give.  Art therapy is currently being applied on children, teens, young adults ,and the elderly in varying circumstances and conditions.

Art as Therapy or Psychotherapy

The American Art Therapy Association defines art therapy as “a therapeutic use of art making, within a professional relationship, by people who experience illness, trauma or challenges in living , and by people who seek personal development”.  This definition clearly establishes that art can be used as a rehabilitative therapy by people who have learning and physical disabilities; health problems pertaining to behavior, emotions, and mental state of mind; physical illness; neurological conditions; brain injury; and terminal illnesses.  It also points out the role of art in simply adding a different dimension to a person seeking for personal betterment.  This means therefore that art therapy is not only for the “sick”  but also for those who seek inner growth.

Since the role of art has been fairly established as a sound-off venue for many people undergoing extraordinary stress such as convicts, sexual offense victims, terminally-ill patients, and children with behavioral problems, more and more programs are being developed to address their specific needs. Professional art therapists face the challenge of not only teaching art techniques but also in allowing the student or the participant to focus on and release their inner experiences.

How Did Art Therapy Start?

Art therapy was first heard of during the middle part of the 20th century and claims its roots in art education and developmental psychology.  A British artist by the name of Adrian Hill was acknowledged as the first one to use the term art therapy in relation to his personal experience of having tuberculosis.  While Hill actively promoted art as as defense against illnesses, another artist – Edward Adamson , promoted its use in mental hospitals. These two , together with other artists, saw the healing potentials of art and worked toward its recognition.  At some point in time, questions were being raised as to whether the resulting art forms can be considered part of medical records of patients or simply works of art that just happened to be done by a person battling with a certain impairment, illness or disability.

There was much emphasis on spontaneous expression and interpretations coming from art teachers were discouraged.  In the US, art therapists are required to have educational foundations in psychology specifically those handling students with psychological cases.  For more recreational purposes of art learning, artists who wish to teach and work in such nature are considered acceptable.

art therapy

An art student who suffered physical impairment after undergoing brain surgery …

…and one of his works

Uses of Art Therapy

Whether good or bad, art provides a way of escaping the harsh realities of a terminal illness, a traumatic life episode, and the everyday pressures of life.  Art therapy however does not seek to encourage denial of the truth but rather encourage art students to go beyond their personal difficult circumstances.  In a way, it helps people cope with their bad feelings by engrossing themselves in what they can create instead of concentrating on a bleak present, dark past, or impending doom.

Reduced emotional distress have been widely observed in people actively engaging in art. There must be some reason why an art landscape is usually found in hospital rooms or any recuperating room.  The positive and soothing effect it provides can hardly be ignored.  Art has been known to alleviate actual symptoms like pain and mental instability.

My Say

Art comes in many forms and is not limited to drawing and painting.  Art students can opt for sculpture, pottery, crafts, and photography among others.  In essence, art as therapy works to make life more livable for those facing incredible challenges in life.