If you’re familiar with the benefits of art therapy, you may be asking yourself, what is art therapy, and is art therapy right for me? Maybe you were never very good at drawing, or your artistic abilities are limited to stick figures. The beauty of art therapy is that it doesn’t take any particular level of talent to benefit from this unique form of treatment. People struggling with mental health conditions or substance use disorder can reap the benefits of art therapy regardless of whether they are adept with a paintbrush or cannot draw a straight line. Keep reading to learn if a Tacoma, Washington, art therapy program may enhance your mental health and addiction recovery.
A comprehensive approach to addiction treatment ensures that all key areas of your life are addressed as you work toward a sober lifestyle. Medication and behavioral therapies are core aspects of addiction treatment, but for the most effective healing, you should take full advantage of holistic therapies like art therapy. To learn more about the benefits of art therapy and how we use it in our treatment programs, call Bayview Recovery at 855.478.3650.
What Is Art Therapy?
Art therapy is a form of therapy that intertwines aspects of cognitive behavioral therapy and various art techniques. Sessions are led by trained art therapists who are experienced in helping people explore their thoughts and feelings through drawing, painting, and sculpting. They help you talk about what you are feeling, express yourself and your concerns creatively, and heal from addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders as a result.
Is Art Therapy Right for Me?
You may be intrigued by the idea of art therapy for recovery since it can be a fun and unique way to supplement medication and behavioral therapy. But you also may be hesitant to try art therapy if you have never been particularly artistic. The important thing to keep in mind is that art therapy is a process that helps you work through difficult emotions. The healing comes through this process, and the quality of the resulting artwork is not the main focus.
If you’re wondering if art therapy is right for your recovery, consider the following:
- Art therapy is versatile and can help anyone who is struggling with a problem in their life. It provides a creative outlet that can address your struggles in a different way.
- People who have experienced trauma, such as abuse or the loss of a loved one, can benefit greatly from art therapy. If you have experienced trauma, art therapy can allow you to express your emotions in a nonverbal way that doesn’t require talking about what happened.
- Art therapy can also be beneficial for physical health problems, which can coincide with mental health disorders and addiction. For many people, physical ailments may subside when mental health improves.
Art Therapy Can Work for Just About Anyone
If an art therapist suggests an activity or idea that you don’t feel comfortable with at the time, you can feel free to express your thoughts and feelings about it. They may be able to suggest another art therapy technique to allow you to begin your healing process where you are most comfortable. You can gradually build up your comfort level through your art therapy treatment so that taboo feelings or uncomfortable emotions can surface, you can fully process them, and move on from the pain.
Support Your Recovery with Art Therapy at Bayview Recovery
At Bayview Recovery, we believe that it takes more than medication and detox to help you achieve lasting recovery. Our treatment programs are comprehensive to provide you with the safest, most effective program to help you heal from addiction and co-occurring disorders. Call us today at 855.478.3650 to learn more about how we use art therapy to aid your recovery.
Dave Cundiff, MD, MPH is an experienced leader in the field of Substance Use Disorder treatment. He works with patients suffering from Substance Use Disorder to evaluate their medication needs and prescribe treatments accordingly. In addition, he regularly participates in all-staff debriefing sessions involving peers, nurses, and other prescribers. He also reviews and advises on policies, procedures, and techniques for treating substance use disorder.
