Introduction
• Introduce the writing
• Alexithymia
Art Therapy
• What is Art Therapy?
• The British artist Adrian Hill coined the term art therapy in 1942. Hill, recovering from tuberculosis in a sanatorium, discovered the therapeutic benefits of drawing and painting while convalescing.
• What Does it Entail? / How Does It Work?
"Visual image making is an important aspect of the human learning process" - Diane Waller
• Research tells us that that image-making is a powerful cognitive experience, stimulating and enhancing memory.
• People accessing art therapy is not a sign of weakness or sickness but a sign of strength and survival. Human beings are brave, forgiving, and resilient. Everyone faces challenges every day but we all cope differently.
• SurveyMonkey results
• Art Therapy with Trauma. What is Trauma? What is my experience with trauma? Look at Trauma and symptoms of trauma
memory loss
• Avoidance
• Expressive arts are a natural relaxant for the body's nervous system (trauma and every day stress). Reduce cortisol, lower blood pressure, regulate heart rate, decrease pain perception.
• Research tells us that that image-making is a powerful cognitive experience, stimulating and enhancing memory. It also helps those most traumatised to be able to tell their stories. In fact, creating a drawing helps to stimulate 2 to 3 times more language than talking alone.
• My observations and how it links with my practice:
- Vulnerability: Art making decreases your defences. “Go vulnerable or go home” Heard this brilliant motto today and I’m subscribing! Vulnerability can be our greatest strength; when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable we embrace our authentic self daring acceptance and gaining empowerment.
- Authenticity: This is why I enjoy this way of working. Be authentic in your expression. Do not copy, imitate or mimic me or other people. All you'll achieve is an echo. Stay true to you. What do you want to say in your own artistic tone of voice? You can do amazing things. But you won't get there by painting by numbers a piece that has already been created. Expressionism is raw, it is messy and it is visceral.
- Symbolism
"Repair the body's experience of trauma"
• Music is the only art form that uses and activates the entire brain. Remedy for trauma as it can lift you out of depression. It enlivens you, it brings back memories, and it's a powerful pain reducer.
• Link Helen Frankenthaler and how she favours things being made in one go; not overworked. Me too. Synthesising with that authenticity.
• Misconceptions of art therapy:
Art therapy is not to be confused with the trend of adult colouring books which primary aim is to entertain as a leisure activity
• The Cons of an Art Therapy Career:
- Investment is high. Art therapy career has a high investment when you get into it. ...
- Relatively Low Pay. Like several other mental health careers, the pay for art therapist is relatively low, especially in the beginning. ...
- Poor job outlook. ...
- Others don't know what you do. ...
- In conclusion.
Case Studies
• Myself and my idiosyncratic lens; the work I've created during cyberbullying. "The Girl Who Cannot See"
• Roberta Fraggle of SHOOK Magazine
• Inkwell Arts Service User
• Professional Art Therapist, Dr. Dianne Simpson-Basquez (may move this around to main body of work to support claims?)
• SurveyMonkey results (May move this around to main body of work to support claims?)
Conclusion
• A picture is worth a thousand words - bring that anecdote back
• Drawing everything together
• Perhaps talk of how I've struggled a lot during this module
• When people are looking for a trauma remedy, the biggest evidence has come from people themselves. When given a choice of "treatments," patients repeatedly chose these forms of self expression because they cite improvement of their quality of life and sense of well-being. This is probably the most powerful evidence of all. And talk of my own experience again.
Bibliography
• Alphabetised
• Academic Journals, Podcasts, Websites
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