Art Therapy
Art therapy is an established mental health profession that combines the creative process and psychotherapy, facilitating self-exploration and understanding to enhance and improve the mental and emotional well-being of people.
Therapists encourage exploration of ideas and expression through the art making process. This enables thoughts and feelings that are difficult to articulate to be expressed through images and colours during the creative process.
The experience for each individual would be different as some may find it relaxing while others may find that it touches on deeper issues.
There is no interpretation of artwork in art therapy. It is not about learning new art techniques or producing pleasing pictures. People who want to participate do not require special art skills or talent.
Art therapy in PJSC is used with adolescents, adults or elderly who:
- Suffer from anxiety, depression or other mental health disorders
- Social or emotional difficulties related to physical disability
- Experienced personal trauma or loss
- Experiencing grief and bereavement
Benefits of Art therapy:
- Ease anxiety and reduce stress
- Provide safe space to explore feelings and thoughts on new diagnosis, hospitalisation and medical procedures
- Helps patients who cannot verbally communicate to express self
- Improve self-acceptance and enhance self-awareness
- Address changes in body due to physical disability
- Assisting in gaining control of self over difficult life situations
