Art Therapy Research Paper

Art therapy has been used to help individuals cope with a number of problems such as, physical abuse, mental or physical illness, or drug abuse; it is one of the most creative and self-exploratory ways to help an individual heal after going through a traumatic experience. Art therapy can range from drawing to dancing. It can be anything that is viewed as a way to express the emotions that may be too hard to say out loud. Art therapy has been used to aid in the rehabilitation of patients with mental or physical illnesses, as well as with drug or physical abuse; art in general is one of the most expressive things a person can do.

Art is one of the leading ways for patients with mental illnesses to appropriately express themselves. For local communities,

Using art to give others an idea of what the child is trying to convey would help break the communication barrier that prevents the children from having a “normal” life. Art therapy for children is a very crucial activity to start at a young age. Helping children learn to express themselves can boost self-esteem and give young children the courage to become more social. “The creative process provides opportunities for expressing ideas and emotions, which can sometimes be difficult to do through speech or written word for the child with disabilities. And, most importantly, the confidence and overall well being of the child is enhanced through the successful manipulation of art

Promoting motor skills in veterans or people who have been faced with any abrupt physical changes will give them the chance to adapt and discover simpler ways to cope with the sudden change (“Review: Thrombolytic Therapy”). Art can also be used to fine-tune motor skills. During this process the patient will discover that their abilities in other areas have also been benefitted (“Cognitive Stimulation Activities”). The website Recreation Therapy has many ideas for helping promote motor skills, hand eye coordination, and other issues. One such activity would be the rice or fruit grab. During this exercise the individual would have a large pan full of rice and small items; the concept is to have the individual try and sift through the rice and decipher what the object is (“Sensory Stimulation Activities”). Art therapy is an amazing way to promote mobility in people with physical illnesses, and a way to stimulate individuals with inadequate