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Art & Play Therapy
About Art Therapy
Art therapy is an established mental health profession that uses the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental, and emotional well being of individuals of all ages. It is based on the belief that the creative process involved in artistic self-expression helps people resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve insight.
Art therapy integrates the fields of human development, visual art, and the creative process with models of counseling and psychotherapy. Art therapy is used with children, adolescents, adults, older adults, groups and families to assess and treat the following: anxiety, depression, emotional problems and disorders, mental illness, substance abuse, relationship issues, social and emotional difficulties related to illness and disability, trauma, loss, neurological problems; and psychosocial difficulties related to medical illness.
Art therapy programs are found in a number of settings including hospitals, clinics, public and community agencies, wellness centers, educational institutions, and private practices. Art therapy can also be integrated into existing programs whereby the therapists can co-treat groups and individuals to maximize their potential.
Art therapists are master’s level professionals who hold a degree in art therapy or a related field. Educational requirements include: theories of art therapy, counseling, and psychotherapy; ethics and standards of practice; assessment and evaluation; individual, group, and family techniques; human and creative development; multicultural issues; research methods; and practicum experience in a clinical setting. (American Art Therapy Association)
Play Therapy
Play therapy refers to a large number of treatment methods, all applying the therapeutic benefits of play. Play therapy differs from regular play in that the therapist helps children to address and resolve their own problems. Play therapy builds on the natural way that children learn about themselves and their relationships in the world around them.
Through play therapy, children learn to communicate with others, express feelings, modify behavior, develop problem-solving skills, and learn a variety of ways of relating to others. Play provides a safe psychological distance from their problems and allows expression of thoughts and feelings appropriate to their development.
APT defines play therapy as "the systematic use of a theoretical model to establish an interpersonal process wherein trained play therapists use the therapeutic powers of play to help clients prevent or resolve psychosocial difficulties and achieve optimal growth and development."
Play therapy is especially appropriate for children ages 3 through 12 years old, although all ages can benefit from the modality. Teenagers and adults have also benefited from play techniques and recreational processes. To that end, use of play therapy with adults within mental health, agency, and other healthcare contexts is increasing. In addition, within recent years, play therapy interventions have also been applied to infants and toddlers; helping establish attachment and development.
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