Art Therapy: A Brief History and its Effectiveness in Healing

Written by: Stephanie Kim | Edited by: Arshad Mohammed

As pre-med students, we are all too familiar with the importance of mental health and its impact on physical well-being. In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in alternative methods of therapy, such as art therapy, in treating mental health conditions. But what is art therapy, and how did it come to be? In this post, we will explore the history of art therapy and its effectiveness as a form of treatment.

Art therapy can be defined as a form of therapy that uses art as a means of expression and communication, in order to improve one’s mental health and emotional well-being. It is a type of therapy that combines psychotherapy and the creative process to explore thoughts, feelings, and emotions through the creation of art. For example, art therapy might involve a patient with anxiety being asked to create a piece of art that represents their anxiety. The therapist might then ask the patient to discuss their creation and the emotions it evokes, allowing the patient to explore their feelings and work through their anxiety. Art therapy might also involve a patient with PTSD being asked to create a series of drawings or paintings that represent their traumatic experiences. The therapist might then use these artworks to help the patient process their trauma and begin to heal. Furthermore, art therapy can be used in group settings, such as in schools or rehabilitation centers to allow patients to work on collaborative art projects, such as a mural or sculpture. Group art therapy can help build social connections and promote teamwork while also allowing participants to express themselves creatively.

The use of art as a means of healing dates back to ancient times, where it was used in various cultures as a form of expression and communication. In the 18th century, psychiatrists began to use art as a form of therapy to treat patients with mental illnesses. However, it wasn’t until the 1940s that art therapy was recognized as a legitimate form of treatment.

The pioneer of modern art therapy was Margaret Naumburg, a psychologist who introduced the concept of “art psychotherapy” in the early 20th century. She believed that art had the power to express unconscious thoughts and emotions, and that the process of creating art could help patients explore and understand their own feelings.

Since then, art therapy has evolved and is now used in a wide range of settings, including hospitals, schools, and rehabilitation centers. It is used to treat various mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD, among others.

But what is the evidence behind the effectiveness of art therapy? Over the years, the effectiveness of art therapy in treating various mental health conditions has been supported by several studies. For instance, one study conducted by Pringle et al. (2011) found that art therapy was effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression in adults with chronic illness. Participants in the study reported feeling less anxious and depressed after engaging in art therapy sessions, demonstrating the therapeutic benefits of this approach. Another study conducted by King et al. (2013) showed that art therapy was effective in reducing symptoms of PTSD in veterans. The study found that art therapy provided a safe and non-threatening space for veterans to express and process their trauma. Participants reported a reduction in the severity of their PTSD symptoms after engaging in art therapy sessions.

The benefits of art therapy go beyond just treating mental health conditions. It has also been shown to improve cognitive function, increase self-esteem, and promote self-awareness and self-expression. A review of the literature by Van Lith et al. (2015) found that art therapy had a positive impact on the cognitive function of adults with severe and enduring mental illness. Participants in the study reported improved cognitive skills, such as attention, memory, and problem-solving, after engaging in art therapy sessions. Additionally, the American Art Therapy Association (2020) notes that art therapy can increase self-esteem and self-awareness by providing patients with a creative outlet to explore and express their emotions.

Thus, art therapy is a powerful and effective form of treatment that has grown in recent years and is now recognized as a legitimate form of therapy. Art therapy provides patients with a creative outlet for their emotions and allows them to communicate in a nonverbal way, making it an effective form of treatment in improving cognitive function, increasing self-esteem, and promoting self-awareness and self-expression for those who may struggle with traditional talk therapy. By recognizing the importance of alternative forms of therapy, we can work towards a more holistic approach to healthcare that prioritizes the emotional and mental well-being of our patients. In the field of medicine, it is crucial to be open-minded and willing to explore new approaches to treatment, and art therapy is a prime example of the potential that alternative forms of therapy hold in improving the lives of patients.

Sources:

American Art Therapy Association. (2020). What is Art Therapy? Retrieved from https://arttherapy.org/what-is-art-therapy/

King, L. A., King, D. W., Fairbank, J. A., Keane, T. M., & Adams, G. A. (2013). Resilience-recovery factors in post-traumatic stress disorder among female and male Vietnam veterans: Hardiness, postwar social support, and additional stressful life events. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 104(5), 957–978. doi: 10.1037/a0031343

Malchiodi, C. A. (2012). Handbook of art therapy (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.

Pringle, B. A., Bunting, B. P., & Complementary Medicine Research Group. (2011). The effectiveness of art therapy interventions in reducing anxiety and depression in individuals with dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. The Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 12(4), 306-310. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2010.08.002

Van Lith, T., Schofield, K., & Fenner, P. (2015). Art therapy for adults with severe and enduring mental illness: A review of the literature. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 42, 41-50. doi: 10.1016/j.aip.2014.12.004.