- Pre-school and school age children (4 – 12 years old)
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Children are often unable to verbalize thoughts and experiences and may harbor feelings of fear, guilt, anxiety, anger and depression. Art Therapy provides a natural, safe, and non-intrusive method to assist in recovery from common distressing events. Through this form of treatment children externalize their issues, thereby reducing anxiety and behavioral enactment. Pre-school and school age children can use art therapy to help them with difficulties in adjusting to the loss of a family member, the separation and/or divorce of their parents, a new sibling, a move, special needs as a result of a learning disability, physical handicaps, school adjustment, hyperactivity, or their need for greater independent functioning.
- Adolescents and young adults
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Adolescence and young adulthood brings with it a multitude of developmental changes that may be impacted by family breakdown, traumatic experiences, and societal problems. In Art Therapy they are able to express their rage, despair, and emptiness within a space that is gently facilitating and moves towards self-discovery and growth. The creative process assists them in developing a new relationship with their inner-self. It allows the individual to construct an identity, examine values and morals, question authority and plan for the future. Adolescents and young adults can resolve identity crisis, unresolved conflicts in familial relationships, blocks in their development toward greater autonomy and maturity, mental health issues, and the underlying issues relevant to substance abuse and eating disorders in art therapy.
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Adults
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Adults are faced with adjusting to relationships, their work environment and human relationships, confusion in self-image or sexual identity. They may suffer from physical handicaps, parenting problems, separation or divorce, addicting states, unresolved feelings about losses, incest, sexual abuse, and trauma etc. Art Therapy can provide an outlet to these relevant issues that may be difficult to express or articulate. Art Therapy is helpful for adults who suffer from depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and recurrent self-defeating behavior.
- Senior citizens
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Seniors are confronted with the aging process, life-threatening illnesses, multiple losses and changes in their self-image and life style. Art Therapy allows them to explore challenges through the art process and question the lives which they have lived. It provides them with the opportunity to explore coming to terms with the end of their existence.
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"Art Therapy provides an opportunity to find insight into one's self" |