A couple of weeks ago I got in touch with Danielle Mastropierro, a licensed art therapist. I wanted to ask her a bit about what she does for a living, what exactly art therapy is and who it can help.
A couple of weeks ago I got in touch with Danielle Mastropierro, a licensed art therapist. I wanted to ask her a bit about what she does for a living, what exactly art therapy is and who it can help.
What is Art Therapy?
Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy. A trained, licensed art therapist helps individuals to explore self-expression and process emotions and memories to improve a person’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being through the use of art materials. Art materials can range from crayons and colored pencils, to clay or even photography.
The key to being able to confidently say a person is engaging in art therapy is having a trained licensed art therapist be present and facilitating the processing of the art work.
Who can it help?
Art therapy can help all different populations; from young children all the way through adulthood. Art therapists are trained in both therapy techniques and art techniques. As a result, they are able to use art to do everything from general assessments of a person’s state of mind to creating and executing treatment for various mental illnesses.
Throughout their training, art therapists complete multicultural course work to support them in working with people of all ages, sex, cred, et al. They are capable of working with individuals, couples, families, or groups of people depending on the situation and employment requirements. Similarly, art therapists can also work as part of a larger clinical team in hospitals or residential programs.
What is Art Therapy Used For ?
Art therapy helps a person express themselves non-verbally. The brain is an intriguing and adaptable organ that does not always have the correct verbal responses to help an individual process emotions and connect with themselves on a deeper level. Art therapy lends the brain a hand in expressing and exploring what an individual is experiencing. Furthermore, it aids in helping an individual not feel so vulnerable with others and themselves.
How Does Art Therapy Potentially Help with Eating Disorders and Mental Health?
Art therapy can help with a multitude of clinical diagnoses including those struggling with an eating disorder. Those who have developed an eating disorder are usually struggling with distorted thought patterns and self-beliefs. Art therapy aids these individuals in separating themselves from the disorder.
I like to think about mental illness as any other illness, it is something invading the body and shows with unhealthy symptoms. Rather than taking medication, art therapy helps to ward off negative thoughts. When an individual is able to express what the unhealthy symptoms of a disorder are like on paper then they are able to separate these symptoms from themselves.
Where Can You Find an Art Therapist?
If someone is looking for an art therapist, they can go to the American Art Therapy Association website. The site has a therapist locator.
Click here to be re-directed: https://arttherapy.org/art-therapist-locator/
Art therapists are not always available in every state due to the fact that art therapy is a relatively young field of study, . The largest number of art therapists are in locations in which a credentialed art therapy master’s program is located.
Do You Have Any Closing Words?
Art Therapy is a wonderful field that can help many people struggling with mental illness; it is not another art class. It is joining psychotherapy techniques with the added bonus of art making. As trained art therapists, we are capable of assessing an individual for mental illness and safety. Our goals and objectives guide our work. And we have learned about art materials and which materials are appropriate for different situations.
Questions
If you have a question about art therapy or something to do with this article write it in the comments. I will be sure to check in with you and if I can’t answer it myself help you find someone who can.
Questions about Eating Disorders? Click Here to learn more.
Danielle Mastropierro Bio:
Danielle Mastropierro is an art therapist currently working in New York State. With a bachelors in Art Education and a Masters in Creative Arts Therapy, focus on Art Therapy, Danielle works at an out patient mental health clinic. Danielle works with people of all ages with many different diagnosis. Before here current job, Danielle worked at a residential treatment facility for adolescents with severe and persistent mental health concerns. Even more, she is trained in Progressive Counting, a form of trauma processing, and often combines this with art therapy directives.
