Art Therapy By: Raegan Black

What is art therapy? Art therapy is the use of art-making activities to enhance well-being and to assist individuals in overcoming various difficulties and challenges. Art therapy interventions are a great way for individuals of all ages to express their needs or emotions for therapist to understand.

Description of techniques There are many different techniques that are used for art therapy. Digital technology: Samsung glaxay tablet with art apps Visual learning: gives clients ways to express their experiences through drawings, paintings, etc. Expressive Project Art Therapy: used for children. Therapist use “finger- puppets” as a technique to get the children to communicate. Use of pedagogy for children

Clientele The types of clients that are suitable for art therapy are: Children with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Adolescents. Adults with developmental disabilities. Cancer patients. Individuals with serious medical conditions. Individuals with anxiety and depression. Veterans.

Efficacy of Art Therapy The latest efficacy research on art therapy has been based off of the outcomes of art therapy effectiveness for all ages. Qualitative and Quantitative studies were use to determine the effectiveness of art therapy interventions. The results from the study shown that art therapy helps treat different symptoms and disorders for a variety of age groups. Qualitative studies: researchers determine if art therapy addresses the therapeutic needs of clients -Quantitative studies: uses pre/post test in determining art therapy outcomes.

Efficacy Cont. A case study of a 12-year-old boy with autism spectrum disorder received art therapy for sensory dysfunction issues and had social engagement difficulties. When he is not with his primary care giver, his anxiety increases. He was placed in an art therapy intervention for one year that helped him engage in the activities and express himself in the interventions. The positive environment that the intervention was held in made the client more comfortable to interact. The outcome of the art therapy intervention resulted in reduction of his anxiety level and gained a relationship with the therapist.

Education In order to become an art therapist, the American Art Therapy Association requires having a masters degree for entry level of art therapy. The masters degree must be approved by the U.S. Department of Education. There are many educational requirements that are needed for art therapist. The types of requirement include: theories of art therapy, counseling, psychotherapy, multicultural issues, etc. There are a variety of workers that can be an art therapist include: Recreational Therapist Occupational Therapist Art psychotherapist -Social Workers

Training needed for Art Therapy Internship experiences in clinical or community settings get you prepared for becoming an art therapist. Different teaching strategies are required in art therapy graduate education. Therefore, practicing appropriate counseling and psychology strategies for children and adults are important. Knowing how to work with each client is important such as their attitudes and physical capability towards the interventions. Art therapy interventions need to be planned based off of each clients specific needs.

Frequency: ranges from 3 to 4 times a week. Scope: ranges from 4 months to 1 year. Duration: for 30 minutes.

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References American Art Therapy Association. (2016). Educational Programs. Retrieved April 25, 2016, from http://arttherapy.org/aata-educational- programs/#notapproved Deaver, S. P. (2012). Art-based learning strategies in art therapy graduate education. Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 29(4), 158-165 8p. doi:10.1080/07421656.2012.730029 Lebedeva, L. (2012). Animated treatment: the method of art therapy used with children having communication problems. Social Welfare Interdisciplinary Approach, 2(1), 123-130. Slayton, S., D'Archer, J., & Kaplan, F. (2010). Outcome studies on the efficacy of art therapy: a review of findings. Art Therapy: Journal of The American Art Therapy Association, 27(3), 108-118 11p.