Art Therapy (Followed by my hypothesis: Art therapy improves/changes attitude of people who have psyhological problems.)

Running Head : Art Therapy

Introduction , History , and Problem "Art speaks of originality , individuality , a creative process , graphic materials

colors , textures , spontaneity , risk , alternatives , and imagination Therapy implies taking care of , waiting , listening , healing , moving towards wholeness , growth provoking medicine , human exchange sympathetic understanding (Fleshman and Fryrear , 1981 ,

.75 , quoting from a research of Dr . Carol Lark of The Art Center in Missouri So what then truly is Art Therapy

Art therapy is a form of psychological therapy that employs artistic media , not verbal communication , as its principal means of

communication to help and cure patients , who are suffering from traumatic experiences mental or physical problems , and behavioral imbalance . Art media includes painting or drawing , photo image , sculpture , clay art , color art and other forms that showcase their feelings , moods , and maybe even show hidden talents or abilities that they are not aware of . But clients who are in need of this therapy do not have to be skilled in the arts for the main concern is not the aesthetics of the creation but to cause change and growth in the life of the client . Art therapy is a procedure administered by an art therapist in a designated art therapy room to bring about a successful result of the practice

The art therapist is a highly-trained and experienced professional whose skills are tested by a patient in a complex and difficult task to improve his /her well-being . They are well educated about human nature and development , psychological theories , clinical practice , spiritual multicultural and artistic language and traditions , and the healing probabilities of art . Art therapist convenes with people of all ages and social standing either in individual or group settings

The art therapy room or creative arena (Case , 1992 ,

.19 ) is the place where a triangular relationship (Case , 1992 ,

.19 ) is formed by the art work created , the patient or client , and the therapist . This kind of relationship is what makes art therapy different form other clinical practices of therapy . This arena is expected to be a place of security and of peace so that the right therapeutic process is administered thoroughly and far better results are achieved

Art therapy was first coined by an artist named Adrian Hill who was practicing it with his tuberculosis patients at the King Edward VII Sanatorium in Sussex to recover from their illness . In its formative years in the United States , from the early 1930s through the middle 1950s , art therapy was practiced by fine artists and art educators in medical , psychiatric and educational centers and facilities . Although the first post was established in 1946 , early stages of the profession of art therapy were seen in the 1950s . There were debates and discussions whether it is to be considered a profession or an acceptable mode of therapy in psychology . Through the other disciplines , these are psychology , sociology , anthropology , physiology , aesthetics , and education , it later became known as a profession and was officially recognized in the health service in 1981 . It...