The Benefits of Art Therapy

Art therapy is a broad therapy type that can be used to help treat symptoms from a wide range of conditions and illnesses. Art therapy has been used to treat or help control the symptoms of:

· Depression

· Anxiety

· Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

· Bipolar Disorder

· Eating Disorders

· Physical Disability

· Grief and Bereavement

Art can be a powerful tool in a therapeutic capacity, giving you the opportunity to create physical representations of complex inner emotions, helping you to both understand and communicate those emotions, and to process them healthily. Art therapy can benefit you and your mental health in a huge manner of different ways. A few of these include:

Aiding Self-Expression and Facilitating Communication

Art therapy can be a wonderful outlet for those who may be struggling with self-expression. Whether this is someone who has endured recent unprocessed traumas, experienced a physical life-changing injury, or someone who has a lifelong condition that affects their communication, art therapy provides a neutral canvas on which to paint, draw, or chalk those complicated feelings, which helps us to process them, understand them, and communicate them to others.

Accepting Physical Illnesses, Injuries, or Disabilities

A physical condition can stem from illness, injury, or long-standing disability, and can be life-changing to experience. A physical illness such as Fibromyalgia or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) can cause widespread pain with no direct cause to address, while increasing fatigue and stress. Physical injuries and disabilities can also be life-changing and incredibly difficult to process, especially if they have occurred later in life. Art therapy can help us process changed to our lives brought about by debilitating physical conditions.

Improving Mood and Motivation

Art therapy is used to treat depression and anxiety, for a host of reasons. Not only will the art therapy itself help you to process and express your emotions, but the very fact of attending these sessions will help give structure and increase socialisation with others. Watching your art skills improve and having your pieces to take home with you also help boost motivation and mood.

If you’d like to explore the benefits of art in a relaxed, social environment with no pressure or stress, come check out our paint and sip events at Paint Away. Even outside of a professional art therapy setting, meeting with our group for a fun and artful time can help promote positive mental health and improved mood.