Go AD-Free with CAclubindia Pro and Daily Mobile Updates. Subscribe Now!

" Reflection in Art Therapy "

(Guest)

Reflection Journey in Art Therapy

Reply
Follow
Share

1 Replies

(Guest)

An art therapist, it seems to me a very important positive therapy impact from art therapy is the capacity for different depths and widtth for personal reflection. Unlike ‘talk therapy’ with psychologists, counselors or psychotherapists, art therapy is a modality that provides a tangible product from our creative self. Doing art therapy on a regular basis is useful for a journey of personal awareness, actualization and accumulate your inner positive resources. This reflection journey can be a metaphor for review with capacity of multi-dimensional depth about your inner self and the possibility to realize full human potential.

Indeed, reflection is not a new concept at the workplace. Even as an art therapist myself, I have to prepare evaluation report for the institution to review the clients as a team. There are also annual report, quarterly review, performance appraisal, market report, peer review, etc. However, reflection in art therapy is intricate, powerful and profound because it might touch three aspects of self: conscious, subconscious and unconscious. According to research, images are from our right brain and they are usually not active when our left brain is in use. Image that is unconscious might be similar to our dream. In fact, it was a big impact when dream can be interpreted according to Freud. However, dream is part of our life and when we are unconscious, or, in a sleep mode. When we are awake, we have to live with many sets of rules.

Well-defined rules and regulations are necessary because they are usually created to make it safe, orderly, and functional for works or life. But they do create stress in addition to our works. Some works are demanding, competitive, tedious, and frustrating; it is therefore important for us to find therapeutic and healthy ways to release them and if possible, to neutralize them and transform it to positive energy. That is one essential work for reflection in your life, family, work, and health. Therefore, personal reflection helps us to understand our true self and learn how to take care of our wellness. If you need to take care of others, it is necessary to take care of yourself well because they might depend on you. The use of art in therapy is very safe and you will share your feelings when you’re ready. It is a journey that worth your investment for good health, you can do it individually or with family, friends, or in a group.

In my practice, a Positive-oriented art therapy such as Positive HAT program helps to do reflection about strength, talents, positive inner resources, and creative self. It is necessary and possible for individuals to build a pool of such positive inner resources and strength through deep self-reflection. If you’re feeling depressed, angry, sad, lost, confused, anxious, and hopeless, then your library of positive strength and resources are ready to be used to cope with these challenges. Positive HAT program is an investment like your ‘savings’ for your raining days. Without these ‘savings’, raining days could be difficult to weather through.