Throughout the country, mental health facilities are incorporating art therapy as a part of its treatment and healing processes. Therapists employ art therapy to help people manage physical and emotional problems by using creative activities to express emotions. For many, it provides a way for people to come to terms with emotional conflicts and express unspoken, often unconscious concerns.
3 Key Benefits of Art Therapy
With therapeutic guidance and support, art-making can facilitate new insights, emotional expression, conflict resolution, and the formulation of new perceptions, leading to positive changes, growth, and healing. Three key benefits of art therapy are:
1. Communication through symbolic language
Art therapy encourages residents to express their feelings and ideas, says what cannot be easily put into words, and allows space to develop a more profound sense of meaning and purpose.
2. Exploration of internal feelings
Art therapy guides residents through considering their deepest feelings about recovery and provides a container where negative emotions and thoughts can be held outside the person.
3. Spikes brain activity
Activates more of the brain than verbal therapy, offering additional coping and problem-solving skills. Numerous case studies have reported that art therapy can benefit patients with both emotional and physical illnesses.
Seeking a Treatment Program that Incorporates Art Therapy
Pasadena Villa’s Smoky Mountain Lodge is an adult intensive psychiatric residential treatment center for clients with serious mental illnesses. We also provide other individualized therapy programs, step-down residential programs, and less intensive mental health services, such as community residential homes, supportive housing, day treatment programs, and life skills training.
If you or someone you know may need mental health services, please call us or complete the online contact form, and an admissions specialist will be happy to assist you.
