Art therapy has enormous healing potential. It provides an outlet where words fail. Art therapy uses creative mediums like drawing, painting, coloring, sculpture among other creative processes.
Art facilitates the expression of what’s difficult to put into words. A person can recreate reality from the stimuli they experience in their lives. Therefore, if we believe we can use perceptions to transform negative situations, we can do this through art and express our unconscious aspects. Creativity is a means of expression and liberation.
Traumatic situations paralyze us. A trauma is an emotional wound that affects most of us in one way or the other, and if we don’t find a way to figure it out and deal with it, we become trapped in our pain.
Through art, we can connect the deepest part of us to Overcome trauma by using creativity. As we go through this process, we begin to transform that emotional wound. All you have to do is choose the type of art you like the most and get to work!
Art therapy tips
Get in tune with yourself, the place, and the situation that’s troubling you. As you start to think more and more about what’s bothering you, it’ll become clearer how you want to portray your emotions in your work.
Choose a mode of expression that’s comfortable: “Someone who is a dancer may need to dance about the trauma,” said Dr. Ursano.
Brainstorm and write down all your ideas. Identify what you’re feeling and transform those feelings. think about yourself and trying to identify what emotions the traumatic situation is making you feel.
Channel those feelings into art. You can think about composing a song, writing, painting, dancing, singing, or making a sculpture. Think of your deepest feelings associated with that emotional wound. Begin to shape those feelings into a creative work of art.
Seek a state of relaxation: the activity should relax you. create a space in which you can be and feel safe.
Be your authentic self. Think of yourself and how much value you have as a unique individual with your own talents.
Don’t reject the ideas that your mind creates. Find your own strengths and be tolerant and open to your past.
Avoid judging yourself. You can put all those ideas that come to mind in your work. It doesn’t matter if they’re painful or not. Allow yourself to put all the pain you’ve been carrying inside into your work of art.
Don’t critique yourself: Whatever mode you choose, be generous with yourself. Your artistic tools will turn that emotional wound into something beautiful.
Put dates: on the works, which can serve almost as a visual diary.
Be selective — don’t show everyone your work: Refrain from showing others your work, or show it only to someone you trust first. Some will want to talk about it more than you want to.
Trust the process. It takes time and practice.
“In my still-life painting, perhaps I was using the canvas to visually piece together fragments of personal memories, emotions, and fears during this time. Yes, it’s a disjointed composition that still disturbs me today, but it may accurately reflect the feelings I had at the time.”
Credit
Exploring your mind
