Art Therapy Isn’t Just for Kids
The Importance of Play for Adults
Take a moment and ask yourself, when was the last time you “played?” Chances are that the last time you’ve played was during childhood. As adults, we often forget to connect with our inner playfulness. However, play is a vital part of wellness that people of all ages can benefit from. Esther Perel, world renowned couples therapist, says that play “is the way we make sense of our lives.” In fact, by definition, play is associated with our psychological, emotional, and social well-being. As we get older, we become self-conscious and self-critical of the things we produce, such as artwork, writing, music, and so on. We fear being judged and critiqued by other people such as our teachers, peers, and parents. This fearfulness which is often exacerbated by societal pressures typically become obstacles to self-exploration, flexibility, and experiencing life as joyful. This is an especially common occurrence by the end of, and sometimes even during, adolescence. The increasing stress and responsibilities that come with adolescence often emphasize the importance of more work and less play as preparation for adulthood. Art-making can help reintroduce individuals to play by teaching creative problem-solving, positive risk taking, and effectively helps to improve their overall well-being.
Art Therapy as a Form of Play
Art can be considered a form of play. When you create art, you can play with textures, colors, symbols, and placement. Art-making helps reconnect you to your more playful inner self. Similarly to play, the process of making art is great for improving physical and mental overall well-being. In fact, NYU Langone Health explains that “Artistic self-expression has been shown to help people resolve conflicts and problem solve, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve insight into their current situation.” Art can be a powerful tool to, as Esther Perel says, “make sense of our lives” because art is a language. As children, we often first learn language through color, shapes, and other non-verbal cues because of our natural limitations with verbal dialogue. However, even as adults, we sometimes have trouble expressing ourselves or finding the “words” to convey how we are really feeling. Especially when trying to communicate complex and overwhelming experiences. This is where an alternative to talking can be incredibly useful and powerful, which is why many adults turn to art therapy as a helpful tool.
How Art Therapy Helps Adults
Art Therapy opens pathways for adults to reconnect with different parts of themselves. When we awaken our creative spirit, more possibilities emerge. When we make art, we use a different part of our brain than when we talk. Art therapy is all about the process rather than the product, so artistic talent isn’t necessary for art therapy to succeed. Art Therapy can benefit many conditions including:
Emotion exploration
Self-esteem concerns
Physical illnesses and disabilities
Art therapy uses a mix of psychodynamic-based psychotherapy and some form of visual arts as a specific, stand-alone form of therapy. However, it is also used in combination with other types of therapy such as EMDR, CBT, and DBT. Art therapists can tailor techniques for each individual’s personal needs.
Davenport Creative Arts Therapy
Davenport Creative Arts Therapy is currently accepting new clients! We are a group of licensed Art Therapists in New York who specialize in treating young adults in their 20-30’s. We offer convenient online teletherapy and in-person psychotherapy in Midtown Manhattan. At Davenport Creative Art Therapy, we treat Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, and C-PTSD. If you want to learn more or try out art therapy for yourself, click HERE to schedule a free consultation.