People who want to find unconventional ways to enhance their lives often consider recreational and artistic outlets for their energy. As they explore these opportunities, they may find that they can improve their health and life through art. Scientists have routinely linked artistic expression as an option for people who sometimes feel frustrated, unhappy, depressed, or confused. They can express themselves through artistic means and convey their emotions to others.

In fact, painting continues to be a primary way that artists convey their messages to their audiences. When an artist cannot express his or her emotions verbally, that individual can paint a picture that depicts exactly how that person feels. While others may not understand the painting’s message, the artist may feel better seeing the message played out on canvas and on display for others’ pleasure.

Likewise, people who draw and sketch put their feelings on paper when they create their works. Some people find drawing or sketching to be an appropriate outlet for their pent up emotions. Rather than verbally say what they are feeling, these individuals might find it better to sketch or draw what they are experiencing on paper. Some artists let others view these drawings. Others tear the pictures up and experience a therapeutic release.

Many counselors and therapists note as well that writing can be therapeutic. In fact, many of history’s greatest poets and writers suffered from various mental and physical conditions. They coped with their pain, and indeed overcame it sometimes, when they created written poems and stories. People who suffer from depression and anxiety are sometimes encouraged by their counselors to write down what they are feeling and keep a journal of their writings.

When they begin to experience overwhelming emotions, these individuals can write down whatever is troubling them. Having a record on hand of these times allows individuals to go back and read what they have written. They may be able to identify stressors that trigger bouts of depression and anxiety. These individuals may also learn to avoid situations that lead them to feel this way. They can regain their emotional and mental stability through writing.

Like writers, musicians use their artistic efforts to put their thoughts and feelings into music. When they compose music, these artists reflect their state of wellness in their creations. If they are feeling happy and fit, their music might be uplifting and have a rapid tempo.

If a musician if sad and not feeling well, that individual might create a piece that is slow and melancholy. After the piece is finished, the musician might notice an improvement in his or her mood. Writing music can also be a therapeutic technique to improve one’s wellness.

People may be able to improve their health and life through art. These expressions convey people’s feelings and beliefs and allow others to appreciate the artists’ efforts. Many people report feeling better and having improved moods and physical conditions after they create something. Therapists and counselors routinely use these methods as they work with patients who suffer from depression, anxiety, and other issues.

Something as insignificant as a painting or a sculpture does not seem to posses the power to heal or improve one’s well-being. Yet, it you look closer, you may see some things that you are missing.

Most people are aware that when something improves your outlook it can make a difference in the way you feel. In fact, it can be very healthy. For example, it is a proven fact that people that own pets live longer. Also, people that are married and living with someone tend to live longer also. Any kind of artistic material that you have can give you a great deal of pleasure, and this can be very good for you.

You do not have to spend thousands of dollars on a famous painting or other item for your home. You might wish to invest in a lovely reproduction, for example. Once you sit and stare at a great painting you will see many things within. When you look at the background you may begin to feel what the artist is trying to express to you through the medium of paint. This is only way that one may discover health and life through art.

Maybe you would like to express yourself in some kind of artistic endeavor. This can be a highly effective form of therapy. Maybe you would like to sketch or perhaps explore the world of water colors. When you sit in front of a blank canvas or sketch pad paper you are the creator and you have the power to give life to things that you put down on the paper or canvas.

It can be very therapeutic for someone to practice self expression. Many people see it as an important outlet and it can sometimes alleviate stress and tension. It is possible to find great freedom in your artistic work. It allows you to free your mind and you can place all of the problems in life on hold. It is an excellent means of escape without resorting to destructive behavior like drugs or alcohol.

Music is another way to experience health and life through art. Perhaps you would like to sit and enjoy the works of one of the masters. Find something that moves and inspires you. When you listen to a classic work you may find yourself uplifted and feeling much better. You may have no idea why you feel better but that is of little importance.

Maybe you would like to take up playing an instrument. Choose something that you have always wanted to master and then go for it. It is possible that you may rekindle a creative spark within that will drive you to accomplish many good things within the world around you.

It is possible to discover health and life through art. You may simply want to sit and appreciate a painting. Maybe you will be the creator and make something of value. Whatever you choose, it can be an excellent form of therapy.

Experiencing health and life through art can enhance the overall quality of existence for an individual, regardless of his or her age, state of life or perceptions. Every person, no matter how artistic he or she may feel, can stand to gain personal insight from the process of creating. Building new things in any fashion is always an introspective experience. The most astounding fact is that the unseen can be made both tangible and visible through this process.

It is first important to understand that true creation begins in the subconscious. This can be seen even in the earliest drawings of a child. When the imagination is able to run free and a child can articulate emotion and experience on paper, what can be seen are inner fears, turmoils, questions and even imaginings that remain hidden on the conscious level. Thus, although the young artist may not know that he or she is inherently afraid of wild things, these are what fill these papers.

As the artists ages, the fears and questions become more complex. For this reason, the resulting artwork becomes equally complex. The benefit of creating at this later stage of life is that the creator can then recognize the physical manifestations of the subconscious workings for what they truly are.

Those who take the time to use clay, pastels or any other medium will not always have this experience. This is because there are more superficial emotions that block the voice of the inner mind. For instance, fear, self-consciousness and other like feelings are likely to rise to the surface. People become more abashed of what others will think of their creations and there is no room to build, construct or emote freely.

True art must be free if it is to take its ultimate form. The artist must be able to go about this process absent of superficial or false emotions. This allows the creator to interpret the voice that speaks from the deepest parts of the mind and from that which remains always hidden in the busy, tangible and rational world.

Even from a spiritual perspective there can be real and identifiable truths in this. God, having been recorded in many ways as being a part of all things and in all things, is commonly understood to be closely connected or reachable from this deeper and indefinable area of the mind. Perhaps this is why spiritualists reach out for this spiritual being through meditation and contemplation. Prayer is often a quiet word that is spoken more internally than externally. In this line of thinking, the artist can bring his or herself closer to God through pure creation.

There are thus, two main benefits from this type of working. The first is than man can learn more about the deeper and hidden portions of himself. When a person can see the self for what it is, this same individual becomes far more adept in growing into the true self by consciously making improvements.

The second major benefit of health and life through art is that there is a greatly increased ability to accept the spiritual self and the God that is connected to this being through the very process of creation. With these two advantages working together, man can both surrender and pursue simultaneously. The result is a health that can only be gained by surrendering conscious pain and fears and by the diligent pursuit of the ultimate creator and way of creating.

Art therapy is not only used for person suffered with mental illness, but quietly for child, adult and adolescence who are suffering with personal problems or related to growth.

Approaches for art therapy:

Two basic methods of art therapy can be used by the art therapists to approach our idea. The primary approach of art therapy is intensive. In this type the therapist, in order to discover something is regarding herself or him. It is utilized as catharsis to discover the self realization. This discovery is the final result.

The second type of approach is who ever suffering with the problem, he or she express their feeing unconsciously or consciously via their art. In this approach, the therapist utilizes art as porthole to the subconscious of the patient, who one is suffering from it to understand the fundamental problem. Although it can be dangerous glance to art too personally or closely, but in case of child who are not able to express their feeling in the words, it is very useful to express their feeling.

Techniques of art therapy:
Some of the art therapy techniques are individual and group art therapy, rapport building, expression of inside feeling, self perception and interpersonal relationship.

1. Individual and group art therapy technique:
Task of Exploration can be very liberating. The aim is to control and move their thought, to encourage the patient to have to be able to voluntarily express feeling themselves. This way the task of exploration is very similar to a verbal free association. Generally the task of exploration can be used to start the art therapy.

Examples of task of exploration are automatic drawing, free drawing and drawing completion. In this automatic drawing the patient is freely to prompt to start to draw a line or scribble on the paper. In this time, the patient is not allowed to move or remove her or his pen from the paper till the end of the exercise. This automatic drawing therapy helps very excellent way for the client to put down their guards, which is a excellent starting point for treatment.

2. Rapport building:
Rapport – building techniques are helped in both group and individual art therapy. The basic thought behind the rapport building technique is to reduce the level of separation of patient may feel at the same time as to create their art. It comprise isolation from other patient in the grouping, they feel the distance between therapist and themselves.

Examples of rapport building techniques are conversational drawing, group painting completion and painting with onlooker. In conventional drawing, the grouping is divided into two. Two people have been assigned to work together are sitting opposite each other. The only method of communication is by means of colors, line and shape. In this method, paper is not just communicating, but you can share at the same time. In this method, the patient can know other person a little improved.

3. Expression of inside feeling: in this technique, the patient has been designed to help to get in touch with their inner feeling, fantasies and desires and to create visual demonstration of them. This can done in hopes to the client will become gradually increase the aware of her or himself. Then the therapist an attempt is made to support the trading of client and these feelings and will move in the direction towards a solution.
Example of expression of inside feeling is three wishes. In this type the patient are allowed to paint for three times or more times. The response tends to be the desires for things such as personal as well as security. It will reflect the degree and level of maturity it will support for this exercise. In the following description will focus on the power of the desire to specify whether it is achievable goal of this exercise.

4. Self perception:
The main aim of the technique is patient to have complete awareness regarding of body image as well as personal needs.
Example of self perception is to point you as animal- in this technique the patient allowed to draw any type of animal or they are animals that see themselves as the most similar. In this technique is very funny at the same time is revealing.

5. Interpersonal relationship:
Interpersonal relationship technique is planned to create the client more awake of other people and how the other people may recognize herself or him.

Example of interpersonal relationship is group mural. Now the groups work considerately on a very large project. The choice of materials and subject matter, you may be prescribed by the therapist and left to the group. To facilitate this technique, to meet individually together to larger whole and a self- expression of a larger group setting, cooperation and the unity of the group.

What our souls experience might not be reflected directly in our lives. Our feelings are supposed to reflect our daily experiences directly. However, there are people who encounter trouble with their feelings. This sometimes leads to mental complications. To live a good life, you need to be free from stress. You need your soul calm to live a comfortable life. Let us look at how art can heal the soul and set you free from distress

Art therapy is an art that uses creativity to cure emotional distress. It can be a powerful means of emotional transformation since you are able to produce visual stimulating paintings in your mind and translate them into the reality. It is through this that you get innovative minds that produce good music, interesting movies and films, poems and other expressive arts.

For instance, music as an art can be a good element of art therapy. In Kenya, there is a famous saying that music cleanses the soul. You may wonder how music as an art can heal the soul. Indeed it does; when you feel distressed and listen to soothing music, it helps you regain your spirits and somehow, the stress disappears. You will find yourself singing along to the tune, dancing or nodding to the tune, clapping and so on. That is a sign that the music you are listening to has some effect on your soul. There are different genres of music and you can always choose the one that suits you best. There is music you can listen to when you are sad and slowly you regain your moods, music to listen when you are angry and they calm you down; generally, music is an art that psych you up. This proves that music is a form of art therapy and it heals the soul.

Even though many people consider music to be part of poetry, it does not comprehensively cover the whole of poetry. Poetry as an art can heal the soul too. Poems are a form of expressive art that one finds interesting to listen to or read. When your spirits are low, you can take time and attend poem exhibitions. For sure you will be able to agree that there will be a change in your spirits once you leave the exhibition. Only a creative mind can write a good poem. It therefore means that when you read or listen to someone recite a poem, you are actually getting a glimpse of the creativity in the poem. Poetry is a form of art poetry that opens up your mind and heals your soul.

There are also other forms of creative arts that are therapeutic. You can attend classes in our schools and colleges where you will be able to be taught on how to be creative and connect with the mind. Remember the mind and the soul are connected entities. You will also get a chance to realise your potential and understand how art can heal the soul.

What is Art Therapy?
Art therapy is using and creating art to improve a person’s mental, emotional, and physical well being.

The creative art process can help patients to resolve mental problems, as well as aids and manages their emotional wellbeing.
Art therapy can help to reduce stress, and is known to improve self-esteem and self-awareness.

Anyone can be creative. Talent isn’t required to use this form of therapy. Art therapy can achieve different aims for different individuals. It is often used for counselling during therapy sessions. It is known to work for rehabilitation and in psychotherapy. It can provide a person with a deeper understanding of his or her own personality.

Art therapy has proven to be a successful form of therapy.
They are different from traditional therapies.

Art therapy utilizes the creative process from many commonly known art forms like using art materials, such as pencils and markers.

Everybody can be creative, especially children, who all have some natural or artistic ability
Especially art therapy for children can be a much beneficial. Art therapy can help children to express suppressed emotions or traumas.

Art therapy can also help adults.
Expressing yourself through art can help the patient to realize truths about themself that they may not have known. Art therapy help you to process feelings that you are struggling with? It also aids the emotional healing process. Art therapists are trained in the arts and are helping you with your creative expressions. They are also helping you to understand your problems.

Art Therapy supports self-exploration. It often leads to some insightful conclusions. Often the effects of art therapy lead to a general sense of relief and better health.

It’s important to mention that you don’t need an art therapist to use the help of an art therapy. Adults can easily learn about the basic ideas that Art therapy represents and use them in their own ways to help themselves. It’s something one can do on your own and in your own style. It’s also something one can practise together with other people in groups. It’s amazing experience when you’re sharing art in a friendly environment with other people.

Art Therapy helps People with Disorders
Art therapy can help a wide variety of disorders, disabilities and diseases.

Art therapy can improve mental and physical symptoms and can help to reduce pain and anxiety. It can help those with cancer, mental disorders, emotional abuse and posttraumatic stress disorders (PTSD).

Art therapy can also help to improve social skills. This kind of therapy can help people that are withdrawn or shy, and individuals who face difficulties to function within social situations and who are socio-phobic.

The benefits of art therapy can be quite immense. It can improve the lives of many people by transforming their mental and emotional states. It improves the quality of life for many patients. An art therapy is worth considering and almost anyone with a health problem would benefit from its use.

Art therapy was developed in the mid-1940s basically for the management of mental and related disorders. It has since grown over the years. It usually encourages emotional growth by self-discovery. It is based on the assumption that visual images and symbols are the most accessible natural forms experienced by humans. In art therapy classes, one is taught on how to visualize and make thought image representations.

Once you train and become a qualified therapist, you are then able to jointly assist people access their abilities. You are able to facilitate communication for people who initially found it difficult. You should be able to create a therapeutic environment from which your client can be able to pick images and make relevant communications. Art therapy has expanded and has a lot of benefits. The art is applied in prisons, mental health centres, nursing homes, special schools, child life programs and in hospitals.

Today, there are many places from where to find art therapy classes. There are art therapy schools that can help you attain skills to help you interpret the art in a more therapeutic way to the clients. The art therapy school assists you realise your artistic talent and other abilities like to interpret art creatively. Today, these schools offer art therapy training to different levels. You can decide what level you want to start with to become a recognised professional art therapist, you will have to complete the bachelors’ degree or master’s degree.

Nowadays art therapy schools and colleges are able to provide you with specialised courses if you are really interested in the art therapy. If you want to pursue art therapy as a career, then you have to go through proper schooling and attain certification. However, you can also choose to take a course in art therapy for passion as well. There are certain courses and fields that need art therapy knowledge. These include teachers, psychologists and social workers because they get to interact with different kinds of people who might need therapeutic help.

It is good to obtain art therapy skills from schools and colleges because the training helps you develop strategies of overcoming a range of disabilities among your clients. You get to obtain the knowledge on how to implement a number of creative activities and expand your mind.

Most therapy schools and colleges offer art therapy classes for different types of people depending on what stages in life they are in or age. They are also a good option to get your training from because some offer both fulltime and part time programs from which you can choose one that suits you best. For instance, a teacher or a social worker can take their cases in art therapy without necessarily having to quit of forfeit their jobs. Common courses offered in colleges include art therapy methods, art therapy and self-image, art therapy foundations, trauma treatment, group art therapy, transformations, art therapy and creative transformations and materials and project. There is always a where to find art therapy classes and the best place is in our schools and colleges.