By Catherine Karega | Updated February 17, 2023
The use of artistic methods to treat psychological disorders and enhance mental health is known as art therapy. This is done in the company of a trained therapist.
Using paint, pastels, markers or clay as a means of self-expression, the process of creating the final product helps troubled teens gain self-understanding, learn better coping methods and work through problems.
Art therapy is often used to help individuals who are experiencing a range of challenges, such as bereavement, family breakdown, anxiety, low mood, low self-esteem, behavioral or social problems, or difficulties relating to abuse, neglect or trauma.
Research has shown that through the use of art as a language of therapy- along with psychotherapeutic techniques- uses all of our capacities to find a more successful resolution to our difficulties.
Techniques
Traditional ‘talking therapies’ may present difficulties to teenagers who are unable to adequately express themselves verbally in therapy. Art therapy is a form of expressive therapy where the client may be asked to:
Make a collage
Make some marks on paper for example doodling and scribbling
Draw
Paint for example using brushes or finger painting
Shape a small piece of clay
Sculpt
Take photographs
The therapist does not interpret the art piece, and the clients are free to share as much of the meaning of their art as they choose.
Exploring their feelings when creating the art or talking about the art work can help to identify themes and conflicts that may be affecting ones thoughts, feelings and behaviors.
What Art Therapy Can Help With
When used in conjunction with other therapy techniques such as group therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy, the process of exploration through art has amazing healing properties that help young people:
Explore their emotions
Strengthen their sense of self
Manage stress
Work through their problems
Learn better coping skills
Uncover different aspects of their personalities
Boost self-esteem
You do not need to have any artistic talent to benefit from art therapy. While it is helpful in dealing with many psychological disorders, it may not work in all cases and may not be for everyone.
Advantages of art therapy
Some teens may find traditional talk therapy to be overwhelming and may find difficulty expressing themselves. In some cases the challenges they are experiencing are too painful or complicated to put in words.
As a type of expressive therapy, art therapy works well with some teens because it is:
Non threatening with less of a direct focus on the teen
A safe outlet for expressing what they are feeling inside
A process over which the teen feels a sense of control
The session is both interesting and creative
A way to discover underlying thoughts and feelings
Easier to develop a strong relationship with the therapist
It may be daunting to start or engage in art therapy as it is with many forms of therapy. However, art therapy is attractive to teens and they are more likely to stick with the process until their challenges resolve.
Sources
The Art of Healing – Using Art as Therapy with Teenagers and Young Adults. (2021, January 29). The Wave Clinic. Retrieved February 21, 2023, from https://thewaveclinic.com/blog/art-as-therapy-with-teenagers-and-young-adults/
Van Lith T. Art therapy in mental health: A systematic review of approaches and practices. The Arts in Psychotherapy. 2016;47:9-22. doi:10.1016/j.aip.2015.09.003
Riley, S. (2001). Art therapy with adolescents. Western Journal of Medicine, 175(1), 54-57. 10.1136/ewjm.175.1.54
Rudlin, K. (2020, October 4). Can Art Therapy Help My Troubled Teen? Verywell Mind. Retrieved February 21, 2023, from https://www.verywellmind.com/art-therapy-for-troubled-teens-2610348
By Catherine Karega, MA Clinical Psychology
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