Theories of Art Therapy

theoretical stance- Humanistic

I was drawn to a humanistic approach to art therapy due to my holistic life stance of finding wholeness through the dispersed and discarded pieces of human experience. Rather than curing a disease, my stance rests on restoration and growth through the exploration of human conflict, self-expression, self-awareness, and empowerment. I consider that each individual was created with the innate power to heal and be healed. Wholeness encapsulates my theoretical stance through Carl Rogers’ five principles of a fully functioning person hightlighting openness, presence, trust, creativity, and fulfillment. This person-centered approach aims to restore wholeness through client-led creative expression and personal development.

I aim to serve my community through person-centered, trauma informed art therapy. Utilizing the modality of art as a non-verbal form of communication, I look to serve the Veteran and Adolescent communities through what I refer to as restorative family dynamics and restorative identity development. I aim to serve those populations who have experienced trauma and grief. I specialize in supporting clients who are experiencing PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Restoration of belief systems, identity, and relationships are key elements to growth in the person-centered therapeutic setting.

modalities

Art serves as a holistic intervention mobilizing creative expression in the service of healing the mind, body, and soul. Expressive art therapy aims to build self-awareness, express thoughts through verbal and non-verbal communication, activate emotional regulation, and explore resolution of conflict and distress.

theoretical approaches

Exploration of various theoretical approaches has allowed me to further examine how I can define wholeness through a comprehensive look at the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual dimensions of human nature. Wholeness is a stance on which my framework resides taking into consideration the whole being and how the fragmented and discarded parts of who we are require a process of assimilation and integration. My focus resides with providing opportunities for healing through creative processes that require inner work, imagination, challenging belief systems, and self-reflection that contribute to healing and wholeness. The client becomes the authority on personal experience and cultivates autonomy over process and direction. Relying on the art-making process as the healing agent, Edith Kramer advises that the client’s artistic intentions are carefully navigated with the therapist guiding the creative process forward. As my theoretical stance evolves to ensure the client is the center of healing and wholeness, these methods hold meaning towards my goal of a person-centered, holistic approach.

Eco-Art Therapy

Utilizing art as ritual, interaction, and relationship with nature, eco-art therapy contains a medicinal combination of creativity and the natural world to transform mindfulness, connection, and human capacity. This approach has the ability to capture the innate structure of human creation and its roots to nature. Healing occurs when alignment of the complex systems of humanity integrate with the self-righting capacity of nature to contribute to balance, harmony, and improved health. Eco-art therapy pulls at the physical presence of self through a larger, complex connection to an external environment. As an art therapist I aspire to explore nature with clients as a means to cultivate connection between self and others. The integration of relationships is a key component to restoration and wholeness.

Cognitive Behavioral Art Therapy

The intersection of cognitive behavioral therapy and art therapy practices align under the framework of CBAT to utilize art as a modality to challenge belief systems, distorted thought processes, and identify patterns of understanding in order to confront maladaptive ways of thinking. Art functions as a means to explore images related to self and personal experience while providing multi-sensory communication that contains sensory and perceptual meaning. Imagery captures non-verbal possibilities of exploring new emotional responses and imaginal ways of being. CBAT challenges the emotional aspect of wholeness probing a discovery into the emotional patterns that are linked with behaviors. I desire to utilize art to discover and challenge clients towards personal development.

Open Studio Art Therapy

An approach developed by Pat B. Allen in 1983, open studio art therapy serves as a model of client freedom of choice in participation, materials, and time allowing clients to regulate their interactions according to personal ability and needs. The art process is the foundation of personal transformation and is facilitated in an open environment meeting each client at their present state. The mental component to wholeness is addressed using the open studio concept through the understanding and acceptance of the interconnectedness of all life. Intention sets the standard that each individual is responsible for deciding what he or she wants to understand or change. As the art therapist I would incorporate an open studio as part of my practice to assist in creating the safe and exploratory conditions for someone to access creativity and personal autonomy.

Psychospiritual Art Therapy

Human experience is rich with imagery, ritual, and creative expression that is deeply embedded within our ancestral lineage. Psychospiritual art therapy approaches to healing commit to working with psychological conflict and struggle through the means of creative action and expression. Generations have shown the capacity of art as a means to achieve integrity, unity, harmony, and balance by integrating the multidimensional layers of human nature. Art commemorates the spiritual journey and process that one must venture on to create wholeness and balance of self. The spiritual component to wholeness serves as a foundation on which strength, stability, and hope rest. As an art therapist I desired to incorporate the component of spiritual growth and understanding as an essential avenue to explore and create meaning, connection, and inner peace.