Art Therapy- Theory and Research

Art Therapy has been used since ancient times, it goes far back in history, yet it was not
to be be recognized and validated until after the second world war 2, we acknowledge King
David’s healing harp and the ancient greeks using art as a method of healing illness in
medicine.

What is art therapy?The British Association of Art defines Art Therapy as “ a form of
psychotherapy that uses art media as its primary mode of expression and communication.
Within this context, art is not used as diagnostic tool but as a medium to address
emotional issues which may be confusing and distressing.”

Adrian Hill, UK founder of Art Therapy coined the term Art Therapy in 1942. His work had
started in humble beginning. Adrian Hill is held and recognized by many as the founder of
Art Therapy. It was his book Art Versus Illness that build the wings of Art Therapy.

(Hill, 1945, p.14). He writes, “I became… a diligent and leisurely composer of precise pencil
productions, each of which, in the terms of my restricted medium, sought to express my
personal reactions to the unreality of my existence” (Hill, 1945, p.14).

Art therapy experts debate to what degree the art expression, in contrast to therapeutic
interventions, is healing .Naumburg (1973) writes:
A vital implication [of] studies...made on children's art expression as an aid to diagnosis
and therapy is that imaginative, creative expression is, in itself, a source of growth and
sustenance as well as a language of communication in the life of every individual. (p. 89)

While Art therapy entered the field of acknowledged psychotherapeutic modalities, its
early and gradual growth was split into two important theoretical frameworks "art
psychotherapy," originated by Margaret Naumburg (1966), and "art as therapy," was
highlighted by Edith Kramer (1971). These two theories were rooted in Freudian and Jungian
methods and thinking,art psychotherapy highlights the importance and validity of
interpretation while art as a therapy is focused on the art process overall.
 Freud (1963) explains the framework of psychotherapy and the role of interpretation:

We experience it [a dream] predominantly in visual images: feelings may be present too,

and thoughts interwoven in it as well: the other senses may also experience something,
but nonetheless it is predominantly a question of images. Part of the difficulty of giving
an account of dreams is due to our having to translate these images into words. "I could
draw it," a dreamer often says to us, "but I don't know how to say it." (Vol. XV, p. 90)
The interpretation of dreams is the royal road to a knowledge of the unconscious
activities of the mind.

Sigmund Freud

A pioneer in establishing art therapy in England, was Lyddiatt who created an art
therapy department at Bowden House Clinic in Harrow-on-the-Hill in 1965. Lyddiatt was
influenced by Jung's perceptions on "active imagination and art as a therapy, focusing
rather on the art process and less on the interpretation as Freud’s well known theory.
For Jung - Art as a Therapy- Jung's theoretical work highlights the importance placed on
symbols , images, and the role of creativity at the unconscious level.
Carl Jung, on “Finding the images behind the emotions.”

To the extent that I managed to translate the emotions into images– that is to say, to find
the images which were concealed in the emotions– I was inwardly calmed and reassured.

Had I left those images hidden in the emotions, I might have been torn to pieces by them.

There is a chance that I might have succeeded in splitting them off; but in that case I would
inexorably have fallen into a neurosis and so been ultimately destroyed by them.
As a result of my experiment I learned how helpful it can be, from the therapeutic point of
view, to find the particular images which lie behind the emotions.

Research in Art Therapy

Multiple studies have concluded that art therapy better the psychosocial treatment of
cancer, including noticing a decrease in symptoms of distress, enhancing life quality and a
better view of body image, a decrease in pain perception, and an overall physical and
mental health.

Cancer Art therapy- Cancer Research UK states that Art Therapy offers a way to explore
and express difficult thoughts and feelings.

Cancer Research UK finds that -”Art therapy is a form of emotional support that can be
helpful to people who are struggling with difficult and challenging situations. It involves
using visual art materials with a trained art therapist to create pictures or objects that
have personal meanings. It may help release bottled up emotions, and give new
understanding and perspectives.

Art therapy is not about creating a fantastic piece of art. You don’t need to be able to
draw or paint

Art therapy is used by people with a variety of problems including:

chronic or life limiting illnesses, including cancer
mental health problems, including depression and addiction
relationship problems
eating disorders
learning disabilities.”