1. Expressive Art Therapy
Cyndie Koopsen, RN, BSN, MBA, HNB-BC, RN-BC
ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC

2. Learning Objectives Describe the origins of art therapy.
Explain art therapy, its goals, and clinical uses.
List the steps to initiating art therapy.
Identify illustrative themes in art therapy.
Describe experiences with art therapy.

3. Draw… how you feel.

4. Copyright 2011. Mike Koopsen
Art Therapy Origins
Art as personal expression dates back to prehistoric times
Art as form of therapy dates back to Freud and Jung
American Art Therapy Association formed in 1969
Ancient Pictograph
Copyright Mike Koopsen
Used with Permission

5. What is Art Therapy?
“The creative use of art to provide a nonverbal expression and communication through which to foster self-awareness and personal growth.”

6. Why Art Therapy?
A way to share thoughts, feelings, and emotions that cannot be put into words
Connects the subconscious and conscious minds

7. Goals of Art Therapy Strengthens self-esteem Provides catharsis
Releases anger
Reduces feelings of guilt
Facilitates impulse control
Provides an outlet during incapacitating illness

8. Clinical Uses of Art Therapy
Veterans hospitals
Eating disorders
Incarcerated individuals
Abused children
Drug rehabilitation
Mental health facilities
Young children
Cancer patients
Chronic pain patients

9. The ABCs of Art Therapy It is not about being an artist
Utilize a variety of materials
Consider illustrative themes
Creative interpretations are important
Work alone or with friends
Verbalizing interpretation helps process the experience
Keep the artwork where it can be seen

10. Illustrative Themes Draw yourself Draw a fantasy animal Draw a house
Draw something that represents you
Close your eyes and draw a line on a paper
Draw an expression of anger/fear
Draw a healing image of you
Draw a peaceful image
Draw how you feel right now
Draw a dream/meditative image

11. Interpretations Every line, point, color, and image means something
May not be immediately apparent to the artist
Only the artist is best qualified to make an interpretation
The role of a therapist is to aid the artist in interpretation
Interpretations are part of the healing process

13. Meaning of Color Red —passion, emotions, compassion or anger
Orange —life change; big or small, usually positive
Yellow —energy; positive message
Green/Blue —happiness, joy, strong sense or desire for groundedness and stability in environment
Purple/Violet —highly spiritual nature; unconditional love
Brown —groundedness; stability
Black —grief, despair, fear, or sense of personal empowerment
White —fear, avoidance, cover-up, hope
Gray —sense of ambiguity or uncertainty about an important issue

14. Questions?
Cyndie Koopsen, RN, BSN, MBA, HNB-BC, RN-BC ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC