Art therapy has been shown to help people with a wide range of problems, from substance use disorders to anxiety and depression. It has also been indicated to help children with autism and ADHD, as well as adults with trauma or serious brain injuries. Art therapy services in Tacoma, Washington can be especially beneficial for people trying to overcome addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions. How can art therapy for addiction and mental health help you recover?

If you would like to know more about what art therapy treats and how it is used in mental health and addiction treatment programs, contact Bayview Recovery at 855.478.3650. We incorporate holistic therapies like art therapy into our treatment programs. As a result, our clients experience the benefits of comprehensive treatment.

What Can Art Therapy Treat?

Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy in which clients create art to explore, express, and understand their inner thoughts and feelings. It can be particularly useful for individuals who have experienced trauma or are struggling with depression or anxiety.

Art therapists can offer support to individuals enrolled in treatment for mental health disorders and addiction. Through their art therapy services, they can:

• Encourage people who have been diagnosed with chronic health conditions to express themselves creatively
• Work with veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after serving overseas
• Provide guidance to people dealing with grief after losing someone close to them
• Help people struggling with past trauma process painful emotions that have been bottled up
• Assist people dealing with anger or other powerful emotions to express themselves in a safer, healthier way

Art therapists use art materials to help clients express their feelings about their past experiences and current challenges. They may also guide the client through this process by asking questions that encourage self-reflection. As the client creates artwork, the therapist helps them notice patterns in the resulting work. For example, repetitive imagery may reflect a recurring thought or feeling. The therapist may ask what those patterns mean to the client personally. This allows them to explore painful emotions they may have been suppressing.

Art Therapy for Mental Health

Art therapy has been found to be effective in treating a wide range of mental health issues. It can help with depression, anxiety, and stress. Studies have shown that people who participated in art therapy had a significant reduction in symptoms of depression or anxiety when compared to people who were enrolled in addiction treatment but didn’t receive art therapy services.

Art therapy can also be used for specific problems like trauma and eating disorders. In addition, art therapy has been shown to reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in people who have experienced sexual abuse or assault. Art therapy helps by providing a nonverbal form of expression for people who feel uncomfortable speaking about their traumatic experiences. Having an outlet of this type can help them begin to heal.

Art Therapy for Addiction

Art therapy can help address some of the psychological components of addiction that can interfere with recovery. People can begin to face feelings of denial or shame through artwork. Eventually, this will make them feel comfortable talking about these emotions so they can process them and move on. Art therapy has also been used as part of treatment for substance use disorders because it helps identify triggers and patterns that lead people back into addiction.

Bayview Recovery: Art Therapy to Heal Mental Health and Addiction

At Bayview Recovery, we firmly believe in a whole-person approach to healing from mental health conditions and addiction. We utilize behavioral and holistic therapies like art therapy for mental health and addiction so that our clients can address the underlying contributors of self-medication. To learn more about what art therapy treats and if it may be right for you, contact us today at 855.478.3650.