What is Art Therapy and how is it Incorporated into Sessions?

I define art therapy by discussing how it can be used during sessions, and I share what this art piece means to me!

The American Art Therapy Association defines art therapy as "an integrative mental health and human services profession that enriches the lives of individuals, families, and communities through active art-making, creative process, applied psychological theory, and human experience within a psychotherapeutic relationship."

Wow, very fancy, but what does that look like in actual application?

First of all, clients, are never required nor obligated to create art during sessions! Should they be willing to use art or request it, there are various manners in which it can be incorporated into a session.

Sometimes art therapy is incorporated as recommended coping strategies to be created or practiced in session. In this manner, it serves as an introduction to practices which can be continued outside of session in order to prolong the benefits of relaxation, grounding, and getting into the "zone," or a state of flow.

Sometimes art therapy is incorporated concurrently or jointly between the art therapist and the client (e.g. as a game during the session). In this manner, art serves as a bridge for rapport and relationship-building between the art therapist and the client.

Sometimes art therapy involves art "directives," or art therapist-recommended prompts for clients to pursue and create. These directives may be commonly utilized ones that are even frequently used as standardized assessment tools. Other times, these directives are uniquely customized by the art therapist based on the specific concern or conversation that is presenting itself in the moment. In this manner, it allows for a visual externalization and further processing of the concerns, leading to additional client insights.

So, art therapy is all of the above! Regardless of if or how it's incorporated, being an art therapist is who I am, not what I do! I continue to show up inherently as an art therapist even when creating or exploring art are not involved during the session. This may present itself as an intimate understanding of the creative process, identifying and noting deeper metaphors, and exuding playfulness, amongst other possibilities. In fact, I attribute many of my mindfulness attributes to my own art-making - I certainly got into a state of flow when I created the above art piece during my personal time years ago. I continue to feel that flow just by looking at it; art is the gift that keeps on giving!

Be aware that art therapy is not about skill. I'll repeat that: art therapy is not about skill! In fact, removing judgment may be one of the skills or the main skill to practice towards one's own art, and more broadly towards oneself; art is also the lesson that may need tending to!

In addition, art therapists do not rigidly "interpret" client art, but they can offer observations, insight questioning, and possible interpretations. Though, of course, the client is the ultimate authority of their process and product, and all interpretations are deferred to the client, their expertise, and their determinations.

Okay, but how does art therapy work virtually?

During virtual art therapy sessions, clients are able to use any art materials they have on hand- even just a post-it and a pen or pencil! Alternatively, clients may even wish to keep a visual journal which includes the art they created and any written reflections or insights they gained from that piece. Some additional art supplies clients may want to have on hand include: thin or bold markers, colored pencils, watercolors, oil pastels, chalk pastels, clay, and so on - linked are some of my favorite ones to invest in! Clients are able to let me know what they have access to and I will take that into account when offering directives, as the media one uses during art therapy impacts the process, in addition to the final outcome.

Typically during art therapy, art is created from beginning to end while the client is in session, even if it's across multiple sessions. Rarely are specific directives offered for independent completion, as that would preclude the art therapy component of art therapy (i.e. the art therapist's involvement in observations on the development and discussions on the piece shortly thereafter). However, I acknowledge that there may be some limitations to virtual art therapy, and I approach these with flexibility. Ultimately, creating art outside of sessions is strongly encouraged! As is the option to present anything that was developed between sessions. I imagine this would be a natural occurrence and I would happily embrace this!

Keep consulting with your art and soul!

Yesenia