Art therapy – what is it and what is it for? Art therapy as a direction of modern psychology: types, methods, exercises for children and adults.

What art therapy can do for adults. Basic methods of art treatment. The most effective art therapy techniques and exercises.

Contents of the article:

Art therapy literally means treatment with art. This method of psychotherapy is actively used in the treatment of psychological and somatic problems. Initially, visual art was used as a healing tool. Today, this method has been supplemented by other types of creativity: music, photography, modeling, literary creativity, dancing, acting, etc.

Objectives and functions of art therapy for adults

The main goal of art therapy is to teach self-knowledge and self-expression to achieve a harmonious state of personality. The main method is sublimation, that is, transfer internal conflicts, tensions into a form more acceptable for society. In our case - into creativity.

Modern art therapy can perform several functions at once:

self-expression;
stress relief;
increased self-esteem;
harmonization inner world;
personality development;
normalization of relations in society;
awareness of psychological problems.

This method of psychotherapy helps to see and release negative emotions, internal experiences in a civilized manner, without damage to surrounding people and things. It allows you to experience them and change them, thereby removing the burden of difficult life situation and making life easier. In other words, creativity in tandem with psychological techniques bypasses the “censorship” of the left hemisphere of the brain, which controls our words. And all fears, complexes and pressures come to the surface - on a sheet of paper, in dance movements, in the form of sculpture, etc.

Using techniques that are simple at first glance, art therapy, unnoticed by the patient, diagnoses his mental and physical condition, cures identified problems and just brings a lot of fun. It is based on the effect of spontaneity, like any type of creativity. But it does not require special talents or abilities.

Art therapy can be called one of the safest, most versatile and enjoyable methods of psychotherapy, successfully used with patients of any age.

Basic art therapy techniques for adults

As already mentioned, the main “trick” of art therapy for adults is spontaneity and the absence of requirements regarding the presence of abilities or talents. It is in this case, when the patient does not focus on how beautifully and professionally he creates (drawing, composing a poem or fairy tale, dancing or sculpting), he is able to reflect his true inner “I” in the created image.

Modern art therapy treatment includes two main techniques:

Using a person’s creative abilities to identify, recreate and resolve a traumatic situation;
Conversion negative impact affect into a positive one, based on the nature of the aesthetic reaction.

Psychocorrection using creativity can be carried out in several ways. For example, working with a patient according to a certain scheme. In this case, a person is given a specific task - to create a drawing (craft) according to a certain template on a given topic. Here attention is paid to the combination and brightness of colors, shapes and nuances in the execution of details.

Another way to conduct art therapy is to communicate “on free topics.” It involves a free choice of theme, material, plot and tools for self-expression. At the end of such a lesson, it is the patient’s selection criteria and the manner of completing the task that are assessed.

It is noteworthy that adjusting your internal state through creativity it is possible without the help of a psychologist or psychotherapist. Moreover, there is a clear position that art therapy is an “insight-oriented technique.” That is, a technique through which a person must find his problem himself. Therefore, if you decide to heal your soul in the art style yourself, remember a few truths:

Don’t be shy and don’t try to draw (sculpt, dance, compose) beautifully. The process itself is important - to draw, dance, sculpt your stress, fear or discomfort.
It's okay if you don't figure out your creation right away - understanding the problem doesn't always come right away. Therefore, it is better to save the results of your therapeutic creativity and periodically review them - from different angles and in different moods. According to the dogmas of art therapy, sooner or later you will definitely see both the problem itself and its roots.
Art therapy is effective even when you do not fully understand its essence and mechanism of action. It heals “after the fact,” already in the process of how you create.

Types of art therapy for adults

Today there are the following types art therapy: isotherapy (drawing treatment), play therapy, music therapy, dance therapy (dance treatment), fairy tale therapy, sand therapy, phototherapy, color therapy, video therapy, multi-therapy, mask therapy, drama therapy (treatment with theatrical art), bibliotherapy (treatment with books). In addition, creativity treatment can take place actively (through the independent creation of creations) and passively (using works already created by someone). It can be done independently, individually or in a group.

Isotherapy

Isotherapy involves the correction of a psychosomatic condition using fine art. Most often - drawing. This is the most common method of art therapy, which is based on the dependence of the color design of a creation on emotional state its creator. Thus, the predominance of bright, rich colors in a drawing is interpreted as positive creative self-expression, while pastel colors are a sign of a subtle and sensitive mental organization.

There are several tips regarding the success of isotherapy:

In a state of aggression, anger, irritability, give preference to sculpting - it copes better with strong negative emotions.
Making collages is also used as an art therapy technique, but it is better to use it at the final stage of classes. Leave all the “dirty” work to the drawings.
Provide yourself with a wide color palette.
The choice of tool for creation is yours. These can be felt-tip pens, pencils, pens, but it is better to give preference to paints. It is believed that working with a plastic brush gives more freedom and emancipation. Such effects are especially important at the beginning of therapy.
Give up the desire to draw beautifully and correctly - do not use rulers, compasses, etc. for this. Everything must be drawn by hand.
As an object of creation, you can choose either existing program drawings (archetypes) or create your own individual projects.

Music therapy

Effect active influence music on human body was noticed back in the 19th century. The conductor of this effect was precisely the emotions caused by listening to a particular piece of music.

The impact of music occurs through several mechanisms:

Sound vibrations stimulate metabolic processes and can change some physiological parameters (motor function, respiratory, cardiovascular).
Associative connections caused by the perception or performance of music affect a person’s mental state.

There are several types of music therapy: passive (listening to music) and active (singing, playing music, dancing).

Main stages of music therapy:

Adjustment. At this stage, a melody (song) is selected that matches the mood.
Maintaining. The next piece of music should gently and imperceptibly neutralize the feelings revealed by the first melody. That is, to instill hope, to console.
Consolidation. The third melody is the fixer positive effect- give confidence in one’s abilities, instill strength of spirit.

IN lately Karaoke is gaining great popularity, which in Japan is very actively used as a way to relieve stress. There are even special centers equipped there, consisting of many extremely comfortable individual booths, made of noise-absorbing material and “stuffed” with appropriate equipment.

However, the primacy in terms of the effectiveness of the impact on the human psyche still remains with classical music. Only it is capable of not giving the effect of satiety.

Yes, when depressed state They recommend listening to Mozart’s “Requiem,” the Introduction to Tchaikovsky’s 5th Symphony, or Grieg’s “Death.” For anxiety - Strauss waltzes, preludes and mazurkas by Chopin. To relieve aggressiveness - “Sentimental Waltz” by Tchaikovsky, “Rush” by Schumann or “Italian Concerto” by Bach. For vivacity - “Adelita” by Purcell or “Csardash” by Monti, for relaxation - “The Seasons” by Tchaikovsky (“June. Barcarolle”), “An Old Song” or “Pastoral” by Meringue.

Of course, you can create your own individual list of musical works for any mood. And not necessarily classics - the main thing is that you feel that it has a positive impact.

Important! Music itself is magic that can heal the soul. However, from a psychological point of view, a greater effect can be achieved not so much from listening to it as from performing it.

Phototherapy

Correction mental state person using photography - one modern methods psychotherapy, which can solve many psychological problems, develop and harmonize personality. For this purpose, both ready-made photographs and specially created photos can be used.

The basis of the method is the psychologist’s work with the patient in the context of his perception of the photograph: emotional background, links to details, time when it was made. These can be photos of the patient himself or clippings, magazines, or collages prepared in advance by a specialist.

The first help to identify the problem in relationships within the family, the role in it and hidden grievances, unexpressed emotions. They can also reveal internal complexes regarding their appearance or position in life. This is especially important if the person has few or no photographs. The opposite fact may also alert a specialist - the presence large quantity a photo where the person is alone or is in the center of the plot.

Photos that have nothing to do with the patient often help reveal secrets from personal life, attitude towards the opposite sex.

Phototherapy involves working from different angles: creating, human perception of photographic images, discussing them and adding (if necessary) a creative component. As the latter, visual techniques, writing parables, stories, and fairy tales can be used. Such art therapy activities may include drawing, making photo collages, making shapes from photographs and playing with them, artistic description etc.

Human nature is multifaceted and changeable, and man himself is individual. Therefore, the palette of art therapeutic techniques is constantly updated with new methods of self-expression and self-knowledge.

The most effective art therapy techniques for adults

There are a lot of exercises and methods of treatment with creativity. You can practice them on your own or have help qualified specialist. Both the exercises themselves and their interpretation can be easily found in special publications or on the Internet.

We have made a selection of the simplest ones for independent use art therapy exercises:

"Working with creative waste". Inspect your drawers and take out everything that you don’t need for a long time, but would hate to throw away (paper clips, candy wrappers, calendars, felt-tip pens, pens, etc.). Select from these “treasures” only those that you associate with something negative - grievances, fears, failures. Make a composition from this building material, analyze it, thank each “brick” for the experience and life lesson and recycle.
"The Tale of a Hero". Take some leaves and a pen, create a pleasant atmosphere (lights, music, a comfortable chair or armchair), relax and write a fairy tale. Before starting to create a creation, decide on the Hero (Heroine), their character and lifestyle, place and time of action. Follow the standard scheme: beginning, obstacles, overcoming them and a happy ending, where the Hero receives not only the desired reward, but also invaluable experience and knowledge that changes his life for the better. Re-read the fairy tale, find your similarities with the Hero and determine at what stage of the fairy tale you are now and what you need to do to reach a happy ending.
"My Mood". Draw your current mood on a piece of paper. To do this, you can use any method (landscape, abstract art, weather) and any tools (paints, pencils, felt-tip pens). Look carefully at the drawing and try to determine what emotions it expresses - sadness, joy, memories, expectations. Think about whether these emotions correspond to your desires. If not, feel free to take on the transformation of the drawing to transform it into the desired mood. To do this, it can be completed, repainted, removed lines or even parts of the sheet, trimmed or supplemented with new elements.
"Let's make a monster". In order to get rid of internal “monsters” (conflicts, complexes, fears and aggression), you can materialize them and destroy them physically. For example, sculpt it from a material you choose yourself. Think about yourself big problem, imagine its image and transfer it to the material. When the figurine is ready, express to its face everything that is boiling inside. After such a “heartfelt” conversation, neutralize it by remaking it into something more positive.
"Cactus". A very simple test in which you need to draw a cactus on a piece of paper using a simple pencil. The drawing is assessed according to the following parameters. Position on the sheet: in the center - adequate self-esteem, focus on the present; below - low self-esteem; at the top - inflated self-esteem; on the left - focus on the past, on the right - on the future. Size: less than 1/3 of a sheet - low self-esteem, 2/3 or more - overestimated. Lines: clarity - confidence, shading - a sign of anxiety, intermittency - impulsiveness, strong pressure - tension, weak - passivity, despondency. Needles: the more there are, the greater the level of aggressiveness.

Interesting! Such seemingly mundane things as manicure and pedicure, makeup and any handicraft are also considered art therapy methods for adults. This also includes keeping a diary or blog.

What is art therapy - watch the video:

Art therapy is a great way to solve your psychological problems through creativity. It is simple, accessible and can develop self-knowledge, teach self-expression and increase self-esteem.

"AND the art of healing painting"

(The article was prepared based on materials from open sources)

Many people know that works of art (paintings, sculptures, arts and crafts) carry a certain charge of energy. Let's talk about painting, since it is paintings in the interior of a home or office that have especially great energy potential. It is important that this energy potential coincides with the potential of those people who live or work where the paintings are located and come into contact with their energy every day. First of all, this is important for their physical health and emotional psychological state.

When choosing a painting, we look at the plot, composition, painting style, writing technique, color scheme etc. At the same time, art lovers know that standing near one painting is pleasant and easy, as if one feels exciting, fresh air, and the other creates a feeling of tension and discomfort. The powerful positive energy of the canvas can give the impression that the whole picture is filled with some kind of inner light. Moreover, in the same picture (if its dimensions are large) there may be areas, fragments with both positive and neutral energy. However, the total energetic layering of the various elements of the picture’s plot can create in the viewer a feeling of unearthly radiation.

The energy biofield of the paintings can be explored. For example, using dowsing methods, a study of A. Ivanov’s painting “The Appearance of Christ to the People” was carried out. Experts believe that A. Ivanov’s paintings have high bioenergy and have a strong positive psychotherapeutic effect on people’s health. During the study, it was found that the energy of John the Baptist was several times higher than that of all characters, except for Jesus Christ, whose biofield radius is more than eight meters. The biofield of John the Baptist is about five meters, despite the fact that his figure is three times smaller than the figure of Christ. It is believed that the biofield is not connected with the size of a person, but is connected with his personality, or more precisely with what the artist thought about his hero at the moment of creativity.

Many painting researchers have recently increasingly talked about the demonstrable penetration of the intangible into real matter. In their opinion, painting, like music, takes its energy from the surrounding space. The artist transforms this energy and transfers it to canvas. Great painters, being in a state of creative ecstasy, worked on a strong surge of bioenergy, which transferred through the hand to the paint and canvas with the overlay of the master’s thoughts and emotions.

Thus, the total energy of radiation of all colors and the bioenergetics superimposed on the subconscious give that unique magical effect of healing painting, which contributes not only to the spiritual, but also to the physical healing of a person. Creative people have a special gift: when creating a work of art, they distance themselves from their experiences, rethinking them, so that they can then convey their feelings on the canvas, cleared of trifles. The experiences they evoke, transformed into the energy of paintings, not only delight and excite the soul, but also heal and restore health.

According to British researchers, a trip to a psychoanalyst can easily be replaced by a trip to an art gallery. Works of both world and modern art influence the human psyche in a unique way, experts say. Scientists conducted a study in which they scanned the brains of a group of volunteers while they viewed paintings by great artists such as Claude Monet and Sandro Botticelli.

Experts recorded that while watching, brain activity was similar to what the human brain experiences when falling in love. In addition, the researchers found, the hormone dopamine, associated with pleasant sensations and pleasure, was released into the blood of the subjects. Moreover, a similar reaction occurred in the subjects almost instantly. Experts believe that the results of their research work suggest that contemplating paintings can help cope with fears and anxiety and even reduce pain.

In traditional Chinese qigong therapy there is a method that the Chinese doctor Shen Jian called “painting admiration qigong”, or “painting admiration therapy”. Since ancient times, it has been based on well-known techniques using such means as paintings and calligraphy. Medieval Chinese literature provides many examples of how contemplation of the paintings of master painters brought obvious relief to patients who seemed hopeless.

This method is used Chinese medicine and today. Chinese doctors say: “Besides the fact that works of painting and calligraphy simply decorate empty walls, they also create a special atmosphere, give people aesthetic pleasure, serve as a means of developing intelligence and character education, developing a friendly attitude towards others, which naturally balances the nervous system."

Shen Jian describes several striking incidents from medical practice, when patients were so carried away by contemplating the pictures that, having forgotten about everything, they came into a state of joyful experience, as a result of which blood circulation normalized, increased protective functions body, which ultimately led to recovery. The great Avicenna, in his famous work “The Canon of Medicine,” also described the relationship between color, human temperament and human health.

Since the middle of the 19th century, European doctors, following the doctors of the East, began to advocate the use of contemplation of painting masterpieces as one of the therapeutic and quite effective methods. So, an interesting experiment was conducted in one of the large hospitals in London. Not only the corridors and halls, but also the hospital wards of the clinic were decorated with paintings of different genres and styles. A few years later, a survey was conducted among patients, and it was found that 80% of them believed that painting improved their mood and distracted them from health problems.

Another clinic in England tried to find out how painting masterpieces affect patients in the oncology department. The patients, after preliminary tests, were divided into three groups, one of which listened to music, the second was surrounded by pictures, and the third underwent the usual course of treatment. After conducting an examination, doctors noted significant improvement psychological state in patients who listened to music and looked at artists’ paintings. In group I, the feeling of depression and fear decreased by 32%, in group II – by 18%. But among those patients who took only medications, the mood remained the same.

No less interesting are the results obtained in Australia, at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. David Evans conducted a series of experiments using art therapy, and it turned out that patients who received therapeutic “doses” of music or painting began to require less painkillers than before. In addition, their blood pressure noticeably decreased.

The painting treatment method is also used in Russia. According to some data from a study of groups of patients by psycho-neurologists, it is noted that landscapes in which blue predominates green colors and soft sunlight, removed from patients nervous excitement and help overcome depression. Doctors say: “True art always gives healing effect. It is an excellent analgesic."

Interesting are the results of research by Leonardo Olazabal (Bilbao, Spain), which formed the basis of his therapeutic techniques, which he reported more than once on scientific conferences. He considers the main work of his life to be the study of the physics of microvibrations in the painting of N.K. Roerich and his son S.N. Roerich. Leonardo Olazabal used various works of painting, primarily mountain landscapes. Much has been written about the mountain landscapes of Nicholas Roerich. But for Olazabal, the paintings of the Roerichs became the subject of natural science research.

Based on many years of experience, he records a specific healing effect associated with the contemplation of paintings. He writes: “Let’s take as an example the paintings of Nicholas and Svyatoslav Roerich. We can take paintings that simply depict sunsets and sunrises, with hills and mountains. Let’s conduct a special test and see that these paintings emit the highest vibrations up to 10 thousand microns.” Assessing the results obtained over several years, the scientist concludes: “N. Roerich’s painting has a healing therapeutic effect, even when we just look at his paintings. This therapeutic effect definitely exists, although for the observer it is something unthinkable, inexpressible through words.”

Recently, more and more specialists from specialized clinics and centers psychological assistance implement programs on painting treatment methods. Without requiring large financial outlays, such programs proper organization treatment, provide positive influence on the psychological state of patients. It is likely that in the future the creation of medical institutions special rooms - art cabinets will become common practice. So far, treatment with painting has not found such wide application in traditional medicine, you can become your own doctor and collect a collection of modern paintings at home.

You can determine the energy potential of a painting either with the help of specialists or independently, based on personal feelings. Stay longer at the painting you like, look carefully at the colors, the plot, try to feel its energy, and if the painting evokes inexplicable pleasant sensations This means that there is a coincidence of energy potentials, and such a picture, being in the house, will definitely give a healing effect.

Fruleva T.V.

“Every now and then it’s worth taking a break and visiting yourself” O.George

I have been using the art therapy method in my work for more than 10 years.

I use art therapy techniques in individual consultations, in work with both children and adults. Over the years, she has conducted master classes in the most different places- hospitals, libraries, yoga studios, family and book festivals, publishing houses, music festivals, charitable foundations, volunteer organizations.

This is a long and interesting path, it was difficult to start - few people in Russia knew about the existence of such a method. I spoke a lot, wrote articles in professional and glossy magazines, gave lectures, conducted master classes to introduce a new side of creativity and art.

Art therapy is a combination of psychology and creativity.

Art therapy uses the language of color, symbols and images - instead of the usual verbal language. Look into Art therapist blog - I write about art therapy and creative exercises that will help you on your path of self-exploration and add creativity to your life.

Art therapy allows you to address to internal resources, which were still not in demand.

It is no coincidence that art therapy contains the word “therapy” - creative activities calm and distract from the circle of boring thoughts, they relax and at the same time give the opportunity to concentrate and gather strength.

"Painting - perfect way distractions. I don't know of anything else that absorbs the mind more completely without exhausting the body. Whatever the immediate concerns or anxieties for the future, as soon as the picture is started, they no longer have a place in thoughts. They go into shadow and darkness. The whole light of a person’s thoughts is concentrated on work. Time stands respectfully aside.” These words belongWinston Churchill, who has been interested in painting all his life and this was for him in my own way art therapy, a way to relax, recharge your batteries, and give the opportunity to come up with new ideas and solutions.

I'm spending art therapy classes for adults and children.

Individual Lesson Course art therapy"Life in Color" - my author's program.

This art classes for the development of emotional intelligence and methods of emotional self-regulation, creativity and flexibility in decision-making various issues, improving the skill of presence “here and now”, balance between the right and left hemispheres.

I have been practicing art therapy since 2007 and the program of individual sessions was born from hundreds of hours of conducting art therapy groups and applying art therapy methods in individual counseling. Gradually, I began to receive more and more questions about whether it was possible to do art therapy separately, individually. Therefore, along with individual counseling, I also provide individual lessons art therapy.

This is a psychological consultation that uses art therapeutic and creative techniques to work with client issues.

I will add that this is also undoubtedly the most beautiful way of working with a psychologist, so to speak. You literally become an artist and creator of your life, mood, communication with the world and people.

Art therapy with children-With 4 years old, diagnosis and correction of child behavior, working with emotions and ways social interaction. Techniques - drawing, collage, clay, various sensory materials, fairy tale therapy, play therapy, music therapy. You can read more about working with children in the section Art therapy with children. Consultation with a child psychologist

What is art therapy?

Everyone has their own answer to this question.

Some people perceive art therapy as way self-knowledge and self-expression, new method in personality psychology.

For others, art therapy comes first creation, immersion in the process, opportunity to learn to do something new - paint with watercolors, make photo collages, write poetry.

Art therapy develops right hemisphere, intuition and emotional intelligence - therefore, for many it is a way to increase their success and productivity.

Art therapy- an excellent tool for emotional self-regulation and mood management, which is the key to successful professional activity and self-realization.

Art therapy is a way to develop empathy; creativity gives you the ability to understand yourself and other people; it always stimulates changes in your personal life and relationships.

Self-expression and therapy.Sometimes you can talk about a problem, and sometimes it’s easier to draw it, express it in color, in an image.

There are not always enough words to express your feelings or describe the situation. Drawing, imagery, color help you express yourself safely. This is the healing effect of art therapy - to separate the problem from yourself and look at it from the outside. You feel comfortable, the psychologist does not invade your space.

Creation. Art therapy - this is always an opportunity to develop your creative abilities, discover new resources, and therefore become more creative and flexible in life.

Art therapythis is not only psychology, but also pleasure and joy from the creative process itself, the opportunity to be a creator and regain the ease of childhood, when we were more free and spontaneous in expressing our feelings, and accepted new things with interest.

"Art therapy - become an artist of your mood!"

Spring is a time of renewal and change. The day becomes longer, smells, sounds, colors change. I want something unexpected - both from myself and from the world.

But despite the fact that everyone around you talks about the changes that the new season brings, sometimes it’s difficult to take the first step. Where to start? What to try? How to revive after hibernation and join the rhythm of nature? How do I know if I can do something new?

I am a psychologist, art therapist and I want to talk today about howa creative approach will help you bring new colors, feelings, and events into your life.

And you need to start with color therapy- a section of psychology about the meaning of color and its influence on a person’s mood and well-being.

First, let's talk about color, about new colors in life - both in the literal and metaphorical sense.Everyone associates spring with its own color, but there are common ones that for many are symbols of spring.

Green. This is the color of youth, a new cycle of life.We associate green color primarily with the revival of nature after winter, with rebirth, awakening. Every time in spring we see a miracle - how plants break through the thickness of the earth, reaching for the sun. And on a subconscious level we react to green as the color of life, hope, energy. Green simultaneously calms and tones - this color is vital for us, as a reminder of our inner potential, of the ability to renew.

Yellow. This is a symbol of the sun, warmth, the beginning of the day. The sun is the light that allows us to see the world, expand space, remove boundaries, get rid of everything that oppresses and suppresses. Where there is yellow there is no place bad mood and depression. The sun fills the fruit with its energy when ripe, and also the yellow color fills us with vitality and vitality.

Orange. Holiday color and good mood. This color adds warmth and spice to our sensory palette - like spices, which are often orange in color.

Including these colors and their shades in your life will give an impetus to positive changes, give you the opportunity to let spring into you, improve your mood and contact with others.The question is - how to do this? Take a break from templates and take an unconventional path. Change old habits and add new ones.

Creation.

Try something new.

Art therapy- this is creativity and self-knowledge. If you have never heard of what art therapy is, now is the perfect time to start learning about it.

I am an art therapist and teach development classes. creativity, I often hear from participants that it was difficult to decide to come for the first time, that they have no creative abilities, that the last time they had experience with paints was at school. But everyone has creative potential, the main thing is to start.

P Imagine being able to answer the question “How are you?” or “How are you?” , or you can draw

Techniques I use:

Drawing

Creating collages - from ready-made onesphotographs, colored paper, a combination of different techniques and materials.

Movement, dance, body-oriented therapy.

Music therapy.

Fairytale therapy. Writing stories, fairy tales, scripts, poetry.

Phototherapy and video therapy - working with modern technologies, digital photography and video. There are also certain areas of art therapy that we can talk about at length and which we touch on in one way or another in various classes.

Materials:

Gouache, dry and oil pastels, watercolor.

Colored paper, cardboard.

Plasticine, clay.

Bulk materials, natural materials, cereal

Photo archive.

Ready-made images, photographs, illustrations, associative photographs.

Psychology and physiology of art therapy.

Art therapy allows you to develop hidden resources.

Art therapy activates the right hemisphere, makes it possible to be more flexible in choosing options for action, and listen to your intuition.

Art therapy beneficial from a physiological point of view- in the process of creativity, blood pressure is restored, the natural rhythm of breathing returns, and muscle tension, the functioning of the central nervous system improves.

Art therapy is the language of color and images, which directly works with the subconscious. Psychological issues are resolved gently; it is not necessary to talk about them and analyze the cause of the problem condition.

Art therapy has virtually no contraindications. Useful for both children and adults, effective in recovery from stress or illness.

Art therapy is the pleasure of being spontaneous, free to express yourself, create new things with your own hands.

Art therapy has a healing effect for various psychosomatic diseases , improves well-being, art therapy studios have been operating in hospitals and rehabilitation centers around the world for almost a century. In Moscow, many people now have more pressing health problems than ever before - insomnia, headaches, horse races blood pressure, problems with gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system. If you are familiar with these problems, get acquainted with art therapy, maybe creativity is exactly your medicine.

Art therapy during pregnancy - a way to accept the changes taking place in a woman’s life with pleasure.

The term “Art Therapy” speaks for itself, as it literally translates from Latin as “treatment with art.” Really, art therapy is a direction in psychotherapy based on art and creativity. It includes diagnostics, correction and, directly, the therapy itself of psychological problems of the individual.

While undergoing a course of art therapy, an individual engages in self-knowledge, self-expression, and introspection, as a result of which his mental state is harmonized. Art therapy is provided in the form of individual and group sessions.

The undoubted advantage of art therapy, which makes it extremely popular, is the opportunity independent conducting therapeutic sessions. Of course it's complicated psychological problem It won’t be possible to solve it without the help of an art therapist, but at a minimum, any person will probably be able to relax and relieve tension.

Art therapy today is one of the youngest and fastest growing areas of psychotherapy. Proof of this is the extremely popular today anti-stress coloring pages, invented by a British illustrator Joanna Basford(for example, “The Secret Garden”, “Christmas Miracles”, “Enchanted Forest”). By coloring these whimsical thin and small patterns, a person relieves stress and plunges into a world of fantasy.

Such coloring books have already become bestsellers, as they provide an opportunity to practice art therapy without leaving home.

Initially, art therapy was called drawing therapy, that is, treatment with fine arts. Today art therapy has many species and subspecies that keep appearing:

The term “art therapy” was coined back in the forties of the last century by the British physician and artist Adrian Hill. He noticed that being creative helped tuberculosis patients (with whom he worked in the hospital) recover faster. It is worth saying that, since art appeared in ancient times, its therapeutic effect was noted before, but only in our time has special interest in this function of creativity arose.

The essence and benefits of art therapy

Art therapy is called “soft” because the degree of influence of the psychotherapist on the client’s personality in this case minimized, and the treatment process itself is more like a hobby. At the same time, the importance and benefits of such therapy should not be underestimated.

Being creative, a person projects inner experiences on your creation. Such a projection Not is realized: feelings, emotions, thoughts, experiences and memories come out, bypassing the sphere of consciousness, and therefore cannot be corrected or criticized by the mind. Therefore, art therapy techniques are classified as projective methods psychodiagnostics.

Those psychodiagnostic methods that involve conscious actions by the client always have some connotation of social desirability. The individual strives to imagine himself in better light, therefore providing socially desirable and approved response options. In the case of art therapy, the likelihood of “deception for the greater good” excluded.
Through artistic visual images and objects, the unconscious of a person “interacts” with consciousness. The task of the art therapist– help the client interpret what his unconscious “tells” him.

Art therapy appointed, if the individual experiences:

low mood;
stress;
crisis (age or existential);
emotional instability: impulsiveness, hot temper, vulnerability, etc.;
apathy, loss of interest in life;
depression, including those associated with losses;
physical and/or psychological trauma;
fears, phobias, increased anxiety;
low self-esteem, negative feelings towards oneself, a negative self-concept;
various types of addictions;
interpersonal conflicts (family, work and others);
any internal conflict.

Art therapy allows you to naturally adjust psycho-emotional state , namely:

express negative feelings and emotions (aggression, resentment, jealousy, envy and others) in an acceptable form;
get rid of stress, other kinds of tension and anxiety;
get rid of fears and phobias;
get rid of stereotypes and restrictions due to the emergence of a broader, creative view of the world around us;
increase self-esteem and self-confidence.

In addition to harmonizing the mental state of the individual, art therapy:

helps to reveal the creative potential of the individual, develop abilities and talents;
used as helper method treatment of many diseases;
a way to establish a trusting relationship between the therapist/psychologist and the client;
provides an opportunity to concentrate on internal experiences and develop emotional self-control;
is the way social adaptation(this is especially noticeable when art therapy is carried out in a group);
is in a wonderful way express feelings and thoughts for those who cannot/do not want/do not have the opportunity to do this in words;
used as an educational and developmental pedagogical technique.

Art therapy is used when working with people of different ages and gender. It is especially valuable when working with clients who require special treatment and for whom other treatment methods cannot be applied: very young children, pregnant women, withdrawn teenagers and others.

Examples of art therapeutic techniques

Most frequently asked question, which clients ask the art therapist: “What should I do if I don’t know how to draw/sculpt/dance, etc.?” The fact is that the task of “doing it beautifully” is not set, you need to do it the way it turns out and, most importantly, freely and from the heart. It's not about the aesthetic value of the creation, but about self-expression through art.
One of the art therapy techniques is a clear confirmation of the above. It's called "Kalyaki-little ones." The art therapist asks the client to move a pencil completely freely and mindlessly across a sheet of paper. Modifications of this technique: drawing with hands and body, when a person does whatever comes to his mind with a fox of paper and paints.

The client's task is to look at meaningful images in the drawn scribbles. When an image or images are found, they are developed, that is, they are outlined, completed, sketched, and so on. The art therapist then asks the client to draw up short story or description of the drawing.

This exercise can be done at home, on your own, and in a very interesting form - the form of keeping a “doodle diary”. Keep a notebook in which to draw doodles every evening. At the end of the week, you can analyze how the scribbles have changed and write a story about the past week.

Another highly effective technique that can be done at home is called "Creative trash." Perhaps every person has small things stored at home that are essentially garbage, but it’s a pity to throw them away. Among such little things there are things that used to be valuable and are connected with distant negative memories that need to be let go: grievances, disappointments, failures, fears, self-doubt, etc. These could be notes, pieces of fabric, dried flowers, old calendars, damaged jewelry, etc.

Task: to create a composition from such things, that is, attach everything to a sheet of paper, fabric, or fold it into a structure. You need to do this without rushing or thinking, but simply the way you want. After this, each thing needs to be thanked for its priceless life experience associated with her. We need to say “thank you” to everything that happened in the past and say goodbye to it. You also need to say goodbye to the finished composition; ideally, it should be burned.

Methodology "Collage" Reminds me of a child's applique. You will need a sheet of paper, scissors and glue. Images from newspapers, magazines, drawings, photographs, including personal ones, as well as natural materials can be glued. There are no restrictions, except for the given topic (“I”, “family”, “man and woman” and others). You can cut and attach as you like, complete the drawings and sign the images. You need to analyze the resulting collage based on the following parameters: size and position of elements, color choice, plot, order, harmony, etc.

To sum up, we can say that art therapy- this is a way to express the content of the inner world of a person on a symbolic level through drawing, modeling, dance and other types of art and creativity, and as a result obtain inner harmony and psychological well-being.

For anyone interested in art therapy, both professionally and for self-help, many wonderful books are published. Here are some of them:

A. Kopytin “Art therapy – new horizons”
A. Kopytin “Art therapy for women’s problems”
A. Kopytin “Art therapy for children and adolescents”
G. M. Fers “The Secret World of Drawing. Healing through art"
T. Zinkevich-Evstigneeva “Playing with sand. Workshop on sand therapy”
T. Zinkevich-Evstigneeva “Workshop on fairy tale therapy”
M. Shevchenko “Psychological color and drawing tests for adults and children”
V. Nikitin “Art therapy. Study Guide"

Therapy creative self-expression(art therapy, art therapy) is now very popular (and deservedly so!), because it is incredibly and obviously fast, effective, useful in correcting the current psychological state without medications and even without talented psychotherapists.

Drawing therapy works (and this will be discussed) both as an instant diagnosis of a condition and as a medicine that corrects this condition to normal, slowly but surely.

That is, it was “Bad” - you drew this “Bad” of yours, splashed out this “Bad” on paper in the form of scribbles and color, and after that it definitely became a little “Better”. Even so: at first it became “It’s clear that”, and then because of this “it’s clear that” it immediately became “Better”.

And if you do this regularly, it may even become “Good.”

Who invented art therapy, drawing therapy

Do you know such a store - Ikea? Do you like his style? That's right, this style is now in fashion and it's called Nordic design.

But in general, to be fair, this style is not “Nordic” at all, the Swedes simply revived it in our days, grew it again on their own soil, adding their own folklore details. This style was invented by German and Austrian artists from the famous (throughout the design world) Bauhaus group.

They began in 1919 and ended in 1933... They were dispersed, Hitler dispersed them. And the ideas of Bauhaus filled the whole world, which Hitler never expected. The Bauhaus combined art, design and craft and instilled in people the idea that a truly stylish person should be able to work on a potter's wheel, weave, spin and make his own wooden furniture. He should live in a spacious, bright room free of unnecessary furniture, which will “breathe” and delight.

Friedl Dicker-Brandeis is a German artist who grew up in the Bauhaus group. Her destiny higher powers ordered differently. She did not become the founder of the “style” somewhere in the USA or Norway. No, she simply invented art therapy because she whiled away the days waiting for the gas chamber with small children from a concentration camp. Those teachers who were not sent to the gas chamber survived and began to spread its principles of working with difficult children in difficult situation for all psychotherapy.

And those children who survived said that they survived only thanks to the drawing and modeling lessons that Friedl Dicker-Brandeis taught them.

Art therapy: right and wrong

Friedl and her children were not amused. It was very difficult for many to paint themselves. And so Friedl came up with this technique: so that squeezed children could paint themselves, she gave funny task. For example, draw some stupid joke or stupid phrase:

"The old grandfather fell on the parquet"

People draw and answer their own questions: what kind of grandfather? Why did you fall? Why on parquet?

As you know, the negative component in art therapy is healing and should not be feared.

As soon as it is “outlined”, it will leave the soul and the fingers...

Psychotherapist and artist Victoria Lomasko, who works as a volunteer in a children's colony, says that she works according to the principles of Friedl Dicker-Brandeis.

She always gives absolutely frivolous topics, even stupid ones, as assignments.

There is fun in the classroom, the children are liberated, and the art therapy process begins without being constrained by anything.

One day, teachers and guards came to an art therapy class. They also decided to give the girls a free drawing task. The tasks were as follows, attention:

You were freed from prison and became a good mother,

found good husband,

found a good job.

Volunteer and artist Victoria Lomasko says that the laughter immediately ended, the creative process was killed. It’s good that the teachers quickly lost interest in the art therapy lessons.

Elena Nazarenko