So Why Art Therapy?
Art therapy assists teens in solving problems, increasing self-esteem, building social skills, and behavior management. The process of art therapy helps adolescents chart their therapeutic journey from start to finish, helping them see where they have been and how far they have come.
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This therapeutic approach appeals to many teens as a way to externalize their inner world. A teen does not need to have any artistic talent to benefit from this approach.
The therapist does not interpret the final product; it is up to the teen to share and talk about whatever information they choose.
In this type of specialized therapy, the focus is on the process of creating and less about the final product.
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Traditional therapy can feel like being on trial to some teens. Others don't express themselves well verbally. In some cases, a teen's problems are too painful or complicated to put into words.
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Art therapy works very well with most teens because it is:
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Non-threatening with less of a direct focus on the teen.
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A safe outlet for expressing what they are feeling inside.
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A process over which the teen feels a sense of control.
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The session is both interesting and creative.
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A way to discover underlying thoughts and feelings.
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Easier to develop a strong relationship with the therapist.
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For some teens, art is a better language to communicate than talking. Because this is an attractive type of therapy for teens, they are more likely to continue to participate and stick with the process until the problems improve.
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Your teen deserves a chance at an approach that they can relate to! Schedule a FREE consultation today!
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Art therapy is an integrative mental health and human services profession that enriches the lives of individuals, families, and communities through active art-making, creative process, applied psychological theory, and human experience within a psychotherapeutic relationship.
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Art therapy, facilitated by a professional art therapist, effectively supports personal and relational treatment goals as well as community concerns. Art therapy is used to improve cognitive and sensorimotor functions, foster self-esteem and self-awareness, cultivate emotional resilience, promote insight, enhance social skills, reduce and resolve conflicts and distress, and advance societal and ecological change.
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Art therapists are master-level clinicians who work with people of all ages across a broad spectrum of practice. Guided by ethical standards and scope of practice, their education and supervised training prepares them for culturally proficient work with diverse populations in a variety of settings. Honoring individuals’ values and beliefs, art therapists work with people who are challenged with medical and mental health problems, as well as individuals seeking emotional, creative, and spiritual growth.
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See the American Art Therapy Association for additional information.