Mindfulness
Art therapy and mindfulness
Art therapy and mindfulness
Art therapy is the use of a
specific technique or painting, drawing, sculpture and printmaking, to speak on
domestic issues and to create practical solutions. It's a way to tap into the
creative part and problem solving mind to treat trauma, anxiety and personal
issues that have become ubiquitous and problematic for the individual. Through
the use of art, in particular by stimulation of the creative process, solutions
are developed by the customer that are personal, relevant and effective.
Mindfulness is a therapeutic
process that uses a high state of mental or psychic awareness. This is the
technique that allows a person to focus not only on external experience, but
also on internal experience, the result of what is happening around her. This
is not a focus on the past or the future is the ability to examine and really
understand what is happening in the minute. This includes your mental
impressions, ideas and beliefs, as well as how your body and mind feel the
sensations associated. You are careful, but do not hang you or a belief or
thought, you just live in the moment.
The link between art therapy
and mindfulness
Art therapy can be
integrated with the practice of mindfulness to create a powerful tool for the
therapist to use with clients. It has been widely used with people who are in a
state of chronic and life-threatening conditions, including cancer, as well as
customers who have experienced trauma, anxiety, depression, and those in
addiction recovery.
Customers using art therapy
and mindfulness techniques are encouraged to create visual representations of
what they are experiencing in the moment. These may include traditional art
therapy techniques of painting, drawing and sculpture, and art techniques such
as collage and even scribbling.
The therapist's role
With art therapy and
mindfulness, the therapist may have several different roles. It will be important
for the therapist to work with the client on mindfulness techniques, such as
meditation and self-reflection, and allow the customer the freedom to choose
his own preference for the art therapy technique.
The therapist can use
techniques as a process to provide a means to the customer to consider a
problem and represent through art. However, this can also be a task oriented
towards a goal where therapists encourage, support and ask questions that can
assist the client in developing a solution to a problem in the process of
creative artistic expression and how it resonates with oneself.
Mindfulness and art therapy
can be used as part of a holistic approach to treatment. This offers a unique
opportunity to ensure that the customer is very introspective, while expressing
outwardly, in his words, internal issues they address. This provides the
opportunity for the therapist to encourage creativity and enable customers to
learn about themselves and their ability to solve problems effectively and
tailored to their needs and situation.
Posted by: Philippe Jacquet
