The American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine says making or even just seeing art can impact the brain. The idea behind creative arts therapy is that artistic expression can help people to feel better and motivated to recover and address clinical needs such as reducing anxiety and blood pressure. How can creative arts therapy promote healing?Ĭreative arts therapy is used in treatment for a variety of conditions spanning mental health, cancer, stroke and more. The success of art therapy isn’t measured by the quality of the art produced in a session, but instead by the healing that can happen during the process of making art. Creative arts therapists draw upon their training and the needs and interests of patients to meet clinical goals. Music, dance, writing, storytelling, collage-making and painting can all be used in creative arts therapy. What are some common creative arts therapy activities? Therapy can be delivered through visual art, dance, music, poetry or drama and there are corresponding licenses for each type of art specialization.

Creative arts therapies, which include a licensed professional engaging a patient in arts to address a specific condition or health goal.

This might include art on the wall, musical performances in the lobby and healing gardens. It also can refer to art in the physical spaces where healthcare is delivered - think hospitals, care facilities, etc.

Arts in health, which can include artists trained to help patients have positive creative experiences in a healthcare setting.

Two approaches commonly used in healthcare settings include:

In fact, artistic expression and appreciation are not only enjoyable but also have the potential to benefit your well-being. For example, you might doodle when you feel stressed or enjoy playing an instrument at the end of a long day. You might use art to support your own well-being without even thinking about it. Modern healthcare settings continue to use art to help treat specific conditions, contribute to overall well-being and even help prevent diseases. For thousands of years, people have been using arts like singing, painting and dancing for healing purposes.

Mental health activity