Art Therapy Testimonials
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Is there a need for Art Therapy in General and /or specifically?
There definitely is a need for Art Therapy in general, in schools mainly for children in need for special aids, in the field of mental health care, in senior homes in the geriatric field, in all areas related to physical illness, and for psychosocially charged individuals.
What has your personal, professional /or in-school experience been (in short) ?
Even as a trained art therapist, I am repeatedly amazed about the power of art, and therefore, the effectiveness of art therapy in dealing mainly with unconscious issues, which couldn’t be put in words.
Why do you think it is effective?
Since our unconscious material is stored in pictures rather than words, art therapy is the most direct means to tap into it. The visual expression of this material is the most direct, without having to be translated into words, which means there is no loss of information.
Can it be effective in other areas?
Art Therapy can be used to assess individual for their qualities and inner strengths on the one hand, problem solving strategies and coping mechanism on the other. Therefore, it can be used to assess a potential employee or team member in any kind of business. It can also be used to enhance teamwork, and for anger management and similar problems in teams.
As a paediatrician or teacher, would you recommend and refer individuals with autism to the treatment of Art Therapy?
I definitely would refer individuals with autism to art therapy. These individuals are known to have difficulties in communication and social interaction. Art therapy with its non-threatening and non-judgmental way is the ideal means of communication for a population with problematic verbal skills.
Ruth Luginbuehl, MD, DTATI
Is there a need for Art Therapy in General and /or specifically?
1. Is there a need------the need is overwhelming! The agency I work for is constantly approached by schools to provide programs. I am the only AT at the agency. At present I am working in three schools with teens, where the teens have great behavioural problems.
What has your personal, professional /or in-school experience been (in short) ?
. In my experience AT is very well received. People are generally curious about the process. Once they experiment and experience, no more convincing is needed. The response has been overwhelmingly positive for those who have experienced speaking through the medium of art. Using AT with the kids at school has been very positive. Art making allows the kids to address the underlying motives for the maladaptive behaviours that are generally targeted in the school setting. Kids are so aware of the buzz words around anger, bullying, and other disruptive behaviour, however art therapy allows them to address the feelings that often go unspoken. The adolescents experience a sense of accomplishment. Art allows them to express themselves freely and thus gain acceptance from their peers.
Why do you think it is effective?
It is effective in that it is non-invasive, non-judgmental, subtle and offers anonymity if needed. The use of metaphors lets the person reveal as much as they are comfortable with.
Can it be effective in other areas?
AT can be effective with depression, self-esteem, anger management, development of social skills....
As a paediatrician or teacher, would you recommend and refer individuals with autism to the treatment of Art Therapy?
In regard to autism...mirroring is accomplished easily through the use of art-making. Social skills are developed, supported and enhanced. Calming and supportive art-making gives the autistic child a language not only to express themselves, but provides a means to communicate and be heard.
Anna Sousa, RCAT
Is there a need for Art Therapy in General and /or specifically?
Yes, even as a regular activity for the entire class. All children need to express themselves in art on a daily basis, as a way to reflect on internal thoughts, feelings, learning, and self perception
What has your personal, professional /or in-school experience been (in short) ?
All children learn in different ways. Some need more time others need a visual representation to map a concept. Others need a hands on approach.
Why do you think it is effective?
AT is effective because it works faster than written language and can be safer than verbal language when expressing internal thoughts, feelings, and concepts.
Can it be effective in other areas?
Yes, Art is very closely related to other art forms such as music, dance, and drama. For example you could create an example of texture in each art, music or dance quite easily.
As a paediatrician or teacher, would you recommend and refer individuals with autism to the treatment of Art Therapy?
Yes, I would recommend all people to practice art as therapy. There is no better therapy or anything more human than the creation of art.
J., Teacher
Is there a need for Art Therapy in General and /or specifically?
Is Art Therapy a useful endeavour? If developing self- awareness is useful, yes. If cognitive development is useful, yes. If having more knowledge about a child’s learning style, emotions, and potential is useful, yes. Is Art Therapy useful specifically to my daughter? I would not have known until trying it that it is so helpful. It is helpful for all the reasons stated above as well as the acceptance of the therapist. In my daughter’s case, every positive relationship encourages her to develop social skills.
What has your personal, professional /or in-school experience been (in short) ?
My daughter has been receiving Art Therapy from Gabriele Craig for a total of 10 sessions. So far I have received information about my daughter that is new to me. As my daughter’s language is delayed, I am able to find out more about her from Gabriele. My daughter is interested in the making of the art and will remain focused for relatively long periods. This extends her ability to concentrate which helps her overall learning. Her relationship with the therapist has also garnered more verbal communication. She does not feel judged in this situation and is willing to risk expressing herself verbally and non-verbally.
Why do you think it is effective?
The characteristics of autism include impaired verbal communication, socialization, and imagination as well as possible sensory issues. Art Therapy addresses each of these areas. Because language is limited, visual language may be used to communicate feelings and thoughts. The therapist is not perceived as someone who is there to "help". The shared focus is the making of art and the enjoyment of discovery. I believe this goes a long way in the healing process. The therapist encourages the expansion of imagination as the client focuses on their art. The sensory aspect of art making can be calming to someone who is hypo-tactile. Many autistics are strongly visual therefore making it an ideal form of communication.
Can it be effective in other areas?
I’m not aware of the full extent of Art Therapy. The input by the client seems an important part of the healing process creating self- awareness and self-empowerment. I imagine that its application would be broad.
As a parent, would you recommend and refer individuals with autism to the treatment of Art Therapy?
Yes absolutely.
Lois, Parent
Is there a need for Art Therapy in General and /or specifically?
I believe that art therapy of various kinds has its place within the plethora of therapeutic modalities available, both in general and especially for autistic persons.
Why do you think it is effective?
I think that art therapy is effective because it requires some kind of creating and making in a concrete way, which intrinsically promotes some kind of emotional movement and resolution. Because creating and making of material things is inherent in art therapy, it tapes into a deeper layer of our self than talking or gesture usually does. Its projective aspects also permits interpretation and discussion of the material object that the person has produced.
As a psychologist, would you recommend and refer individuals with autism to the treatment of Art Therapy?
I would consider referring an autistic person to an art therapist.
Tory Hoff, Ph.D., C.Psych.
