Art Therapy

Art Therapy utilizes a person’s creative faculties in the area of art to develop their physical and emotional health. Its roots are entrenched in the concept of relying on self-expression to awaken an individual’s own problem solving capacities. This form of therapy focuses on a person’s positive well-being and strives to increase their self-awareness, self-esteem, and productive behavior traits. Art Therapy combines traditional techniques found in psychotherapy and counseling with the creative process required in manifesting visual art and human development. Developers of Art Therapy include Margaret Naumburg, Edith Kramer, Hanna Kwiatkowska, Harriet Wadeson and Florence Kane.

• Psychological Issues Treated by Art Therapy
• Hanna Kwiatkowska
• Healing through Art Therapy
• Art Therapist Training

Psychological Issues Treated by Art Therapy

Clients of all ages respond well to this form of therapy and positive results can be achieved for symptoms including:

• anxiety
• depression
• addiction
• trauma
• other emotional and relational issues. 

In addition, this form of therapy also benefits those with physical and neurological ailments and other psychosocial challenges due to medical conditions.

Hanna Kwiatkowska

Hanna Kwiatkowski was born in Poland and was educated throughout Eastern Europe in Austria, Warsaw and Switzerland. She was a highly talented sculptor and artist and she was also fluent in seven languages. After studying in several different countries, Kwiatkowski spent some time in Brazil practicing her art. She eventually moved to the United States and began working at the National Institutes of Mental Health. It was here that she bridged the gap between her passion and her profession by introducing art into the therapy sessions she conducted with families. Kwiatkowska found that the creative expression of drawing allowed family members to better identify their roles and status within the family and the members received significant therapeutic benefits from the drawing. Although she originally hoped to use her art therapy to help severely mentally impaired clients, Kwiatkaowska found that her technique provided relief to families with moderate psychological issues and dysfunctions as well. Kwiatkowska held the position of Adjunct Assistant Professor of Art Therapy at George Washington University for nearly ten years before her death. The university created a scholarship fund to honor her innovative and pioneering work in the field of art therapy.

Healing through Art Therapy

Art therapists have a comprehensive understanding of the powerful healing effect that the creative process has on the client, and they use psychological,spiritual, and artistic theories coupled with clinical techniques to achieve the desired outcome. Valuation tools and treatment methods are guided by artistic principals, and clinicians share these findings cooperatively with other treating professionals. Art therapists work with individuals as well as groups, families, and communities to improve the awareness of clients' own emotional states. Their services are an integral part of many rehabilitation and mental health facilities, forensic and medical industries, and various other social and community institutions that strive to benefit the whole through the use of the creative process.

Art Therapist Training

Clinicians who implement Art Therapy are trained in both art and therapy. Art therapists are trained professionals who have a master’s level education in some form of art therapy or other fields relative to psychology. In order to practice this form of therapy, experts must understand psychotherapy and counseling, ethical conduct, theories that are explored in therapy involving art, family dynamics, evaluation and assessment techniques, human development, and must also have practicum experiences in settings that provide treatment.