What is Art Therapy?

In order to tackle our mental health issues, we always talk about coping skills, meditation and grounding techniques. But, there is another artistic method known as the “Art Therapy” technique rooted in the idea that creative expression can foster healing and mental well-being. During our group session, “Maintaining Balance,” we discussed a new technique called “Art Therapy.” Let’s take a look at what our therapists and group participants shared with us.

Techniques used in art therapy can include:

• Coloring

• Doodling and scribbling

• Drawing

• Finger painting

• Painting

• Photography

• Sculpting

• Working with clay

For today, we will be focusing on tree drawing interpretation about our personalities and then share the significant findings after completing it.  Basically,  the tree’s trunk represents one’s ego and basic personality. The limbs on the tree are the way through one tries to communicate with the world. If your branches are little, it means that you have more of an introverted personality. On the other hand, too big branches would refer to “neediness.” Bare branches would refer to someone having depression. The roots from the tree represent how grounded in reality a person is. 

Art Therapy would help reduce mental health concerns because drawing does boost mindfulness and helps to clear our head, find a purpose which adds meaning to our lives. Please let us know about your thoughts on this and how you would like to incorporate it in your life.