What are the stronger benefits of art therapy in the development in people?

Evoke the psyche, release postpartum stress, and heal disabilities.

By Lu- Ling Yeh

IELP Independent Research Writing LING 153

Portland State University
Instructor: Barbara A. Pijan
08- June- 2012

Art Therapy- Yeh-

Language is an excellent way to express a thought or an idea, but sometimes art is an

abstract method to convey the emotions of a human being. It is not until in recent years that art
therapy was recognized and accepted in schools, family and on an individual basis. However,
there are still some people that are confused how art therapy can work together in peoples well
being. Rubin (2011) states that art therapy is a key to combine two instructions: One, it deals
with art and psychology. The quality of visual art is an important process in the art therapy area
is because it is the manner of understanding, recognizing and making clear the inner expression
without using words to describe (Rubin, 2011). Therefore, art therapy has a strong benefit to
evoke the symbolism of the psyche, allowing the release of stress in postpartum, and promotes
healing in children with disabilities.
Art therapy evokes the symbolism of the psyche. The psyche an art therapist portrayed as
a graphic image and uses music, fine art, and dancing to evoke the graphic image. Art therapy
varies from the typical art lesson that is taught in the studio or classroom setting. The main focus
of art therapy mostly concentrates on the creativity process. By contrast, art is usually taught as a
lesson; it deals only with skills and techniques. From an amateurs perspective, both art therapy
and art that is taught in a studio setting quite similar on the surface. However, art therapy has
several distinctive practices. Using the Mandala concept, it employs imagination as an important
factor to trace and to reveal the motivation of an individual. Using mandalas, art therapy can
increase self-knowledge, which is a representation and reflection of a personal experience
(Malchiodi, 2010).
One of the most important practice elements is Art of Mandala; also dubbed as a
unifying conception. Its primary main focus usually relies on the picture masterpiece as a whole
universe, etc. Furthermore, in Archetype of Wholeness: Jung and the Mandala,

Art Therapy- Yeh-

Barreda (2003) states that a circular, symmetrical or a visible design generally creates mandala
forms. Using this activity, people can transfer their negative impulsive emotion into a surreal
peace of mind (Barreda, 2003).
In addition, art therapy can be used to keep track as a journal entry of lifes recollection.
In fact, most of the time, using symbols as imaging signs is a way for ordinary people to express
their creative energy into various sources of media. Throughout art making activity process,
people can rethink and conjure up thoughts, stresses, desires and ideas. In Enhancing Childrens
Artistic and Creative Thinking and Drawing Performance through Appreciating Picture Books,
Hsiao (2011) stated that picture books are a great interactive tool for such healing to take place.
In other words, picture books allow the people to take a step backwards and set the daily
anxieties aside along with their fears and stress they might have (Hsiao, 2011).
Also, children article drawing development is an important process. It means every line;
color and structure all represent different meaning. The children are like a pure sheet of paper,
which can absorb various resources. Moreover, many peoples drawing skill processes are
beginning of their childhood, which the drawing style has been changed. At around three to four
years of age, the style of drawing tends to omit the body (Kozlowska, 1999). For instance, Jonah,
a four year old, on his picture, he drew his father without legs, but in actual fact, his father does
have legs. Because of this, Jonahs parents along with Jonah went to the art therapist center to
seek some professional advice to see whether or not Jonah has a mental problem or not.
Interestingly enough, Jonahs response is that he rarely sees his father walking at home; he
always sees his father sits on the sofa watching TV or reading the newspaper and then his father
would always put his legs on the table, and he never helped his wife to do some housework. As a

Art Therapy- Yeh-

result, in Jonahs mind, he thought his father could not walk. Therefore, he just draws what he
observes and what he feels (Kozlowska, 1999).
However, there are several experts argues that why kids prefer to draw incomplete human
features. In A Development Look at Child Art, Roland (2006) argues that children do not have
enough organization of the human body; therefore, it is easy to ignore of aspects of that nature.
On the other hand, other experts claim that the children just enjoy drawing abstract features.
However, for the young children, the observation behavior is a significant process; thus, it is a
symbolic sign of personality characteristic reflection (Roland, 2006).
Another crucial area, in Medical Art Therapy with Children, Councill (2003) states that
to understand and to recognize of various ages have different development of human body
conception and examination of the individuals emotional distress to organic brain damage issue
are art therapists need to train and interpret in their experience because there is no accurate
methods to judge medical patients through just art alone. In other words, gaining experience of
teaching and training are important and crucial instructions in art making therapy because of
understanding clients plight is art therapists responsibility (Councill, 2003).
The most common sought definition for the word stress is usually determined by whether
an individual has the physical signs of pressure throughout life experiences that has been
established into a force against the thought of self-exception. However, postpartum is one of the
most anxious and stressful diagnosing for women becoming a mother. For instance, in Journal
of Clinical Nursing, Tseng et al., (2010) state that the most high stress takes place in the
postpartum period; moreover, art making with listening to music a day have been dealing with
depression and unpredictable behavior of their infant, especially using art drawing to record such
as keeping a journal, and then it will release their mood. Furthermore, the music therapy not only

Art Therapy- Yeh-

gives a positive mindset in the mothers to be, but it also benefits the child to gain more
advantages after they have been conceived (Tseng, 2010).
In addition, art therapy promotes an established healthy personality and desires to seek
self-growth. In Drawn Healing, Hill (2012) notes that the attributes are based on feelings,
physical cognitions, and behavior these are considered to be the most general elements grief
behavioral patterns. In other words, individual character is basically building in the four most
important structures that go through the process of art therapy healing. When an ordinary adult is
dealing with stress, he/she has to come to realization that these four factors along with great
physical health and a healthy emotional mindset. The process of healing will become better and
more efficient (Hill, 2012).
The mandala is the most accurate representation of work, because it can cure the sickness
and hopefully bring them back into the magic circle. Ordinary people can create various rhythms
in the circumference and the center because in the mandala picture can clearly see conflicting,
struggling, confronting, and compromising. It can be revealed in the drawing (Henderson, 2007).
For example, Carl Gustav Jung, who is considered to be the pioneers of the mandala concept,
received a letter one day from his friend, the content of the letter made him very furious with
rage. In his observation journal, Jung has found a crack to express his furious emotion.
Therefore, the process of using mandala can promote self-growth because it is a tool of
recovering and maintaining the peace (Jung, 2012).
Next, art therapy has improved and it has proven to build better relationships in the
family. Family is a share mood, a place for enjoyment as well as for shelter. However, can
people learn to build a stable space to interact and connect with family relationship is a particular
issue? In The Hidden Method, Brodsky (1999) writes that family group therapy is a good

Art Therapy- Yeh-

method to achieve a successful understanding in the family, especially they can adopt methods
such as drawing activity can have the family members express freely their emotion, opinions,
and expressions. By using art making such as clay or oil painting method, these can settle
conflicts and consider an accomplishment in the treatment (Brodsky, 1999).
Another major concept of art therapy promotes healing in children with disabilities
whove experienced such natural disasters as a post earthquake traumatic healing. In Haitian
Children Find Healing in Act, Bacala (2011) states that art therapy is a multifunctional tool for
children to express their true emotion through drawings, especially the children who have been
suffering with post-earthquake traumatic syndrome. This provides healing and confronts their
repressed memories. In other words, children with post earthquake traumatic can freely express
their emotions by using art materials (Bacala, 2011). Moreover, combining the journal with art
such as using a stick of clay to make forms from making a person or building. By ripping up
color construction papers to create various pictures or using water color to create their freedom
of style. Chastang (1995) states that by drawing, the children not only can express their emotions
and feelings also via this process they can narrate and talk about their hidden buried wounds, loss
and fear (Chastang, 1995).
Furthermore, art can influence therapy for children undergo with symptoms of ADHD
(Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). In fact, ADHD is probably one of the most common
cases and effective therapies to help kids concentrate on their studies, slowing down their
emotions to become stabilized. Meanwhile, people who are suffering with anorexia, bulimia and
ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), which can consider taking up art as an emotional therapy
support. One of the most effective artwork is the mandala concept. By adopting the mandala
concept, the patients dealing with ADD/ADHD have observed that by using drawing. Mandala

Art Therapy- Yeh-

concept increases the patients attention ability and decreasing in their impulsive force. In art,
John (2011) states that from the mandala concept exercise, the children can receive selfconfidence and self esteem and then improve their development levels (John et al., 2011).
One of the greatest challenges that a child needs when diagnosed facing ADD/ADHD is
the emotional and psychological problem. For example, the child can undergo the loneliness, or
they feel as a disgrace in families or in their social groups. How can we arouse or to stir up the
original impression on the child? If the child can focus with art to create what they want to
express inside and show their mood on paper, this process can help and improve a childs selfesteem. In addition, In Short-term mood repair through art making: Positive emotion is more
effective than venting, Dalebroux, A., Goldstein, T. R., & Winner, E., (2008) group art therapy
sessions suggest that dealing with ADD/ADHD also can support the child in their relationshipbuilding skill (Dalebroux et al.,).
The art making is a healing process; it can bring more powerful experiences to help to
establish a childs self-identity. According to Kazlev (2005) writes, Rudolph Steiner, one of the
founders of the Waldorf Schools contends that creative expression is an inner urge, an inner
longing, (Kazlev, 2005). The Waldorf method promotes teaching young children through
imagination, not intellectualism. Art therapists can lead a child to use their imagination and
fantasy to create art of using various materials such as painting, drawing and sculpting. This is to
develop the childs ability to express their feelings or trauma without using words (Kazlev,
2005).
Art therapy also provides numerous ways to communicate to substitute without using any
verbal situation. For kids with ADD/ADHD, who tends to have poor self-awareness and low
self-esteem, art therapy can offer a great method using materials to transform the interpretation

Art Therapy- Yeh-

of the painting, which is a great way for children with ADD/ADHD. Dalebroux (2008) suggested
that a child takes positive reinforcements in art. However, after the latest technology the children
have been induced with medication, which can reduce harm in the future. Combining both
functions can clearly make them more cheerful and joyful attitude than children that do not use
art making (Dalebroux et al., 2008).
On the other hand, some experts argue that children who have been diagnosed with
ADD/ADHD need to use four medications to treat their symptoms. ADHD medications include
stimulants, antidepressants, adrenergics, and antiosychotics (Web MD Medical Reference).
However, these drugs can only cover on the surface, but when the medication is given to a child
for a long duration period of time; they can become dependent on it mentally. These pills
controls hyperactive episodes also contribute to more negative side effects. According to experts
suggestion, there are alternative methods such as a diet, behavior therapies and natural remedies,
which will not cause harm to children ( Dalebroux et al., 2008).
Art therapists also observe and record carefully in the how mood disorders, anxiety and
depress makes the child difficult to control the symptom of ADHD. We all know ADHD can
have a long-term effect and numerous challenges. However, we need to understand that the
situation is to help children overcome disorder and encourage them to enjoy a full life (Karras,
2012).
Lastly, art therapy is a work evoking the symbolism of the psyche, allowing the release of
stress in postpartum, and healing in children with disabilities. Though it is still consider an
abstract conception for people today, there are more evident examples for art therapy working on
human beings. In Taiwan, in the area of art therapy has now become a popular curriculum in
schools, hospitals and clinics. This is to help and eventually heal people who are suffering

Art Therapy- Yeh-

through chronic pain or other discomfort symptoms. In Contrast, United States have already been
using art therapy for more than fifty years, adopted by Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung whove
used symbols and archetype to improve unconsciousness. By using symbols and archetype to
recognize the unconsciousness, it visualizes more on the surface of the problem, by adapting to
these methods; it can serve as a stabilization of the mental health of the patient.
Understanding why art therapy can help people who have been suffering from chronic
pain or other symptoms is thought to be an important element in the healing process. Regardless
if this connection is within the community, family or the individual. The government should
recognize art therapy as a form of alternative professional help, because the fee of counseling
consultation is not cheap. However, nowadays, there are more people suffering through
undetermined pain, stress and mental disorder. Consultation through a licensed professional
counselor can be expensive. As a direct result, this will only become a social problem, which can
eventually lose control. By offering a specific type of art therapy counseling service should
exist in the community that is hard hit by those symptoms is a good way to solve the social
problems.

Art Therapy- Yeh- 10

References:
Bacala, T. (2011). Haitian Children Find Healing in Act. Retrieved May 23, 2012, from
http://www.tracyskids.org/pdf/Malchiodi-Ch16.pdf
Barreda, P. P (February 22, 2003). Archetype of Wholeness: Jung and the Mandala. Retrieved
May 16, from http://mandalazone.com/wordpress/archetype-of-wholeness-jung-and-themandala/
Brodsky, G.K. (1999). The Hidden Method. Retrieved May 24, 2012, from
Chastang, C. ( February 23,1995). Emotional Lessons : Art Therapy Helps Children Conquer
Earthquake Fears. Retrieved May 22, 2012, from http://articles.latimes.com/1995-0223/news/we-34972_1_art-therapy
Councill, T., (2003) Medical Art Therapy with Children. Retrieved May 21, 2012, from
http://www.tracyskids.org/pdf/Malchiodi-Ch16.pdf
Dalebroux, A., Goldstein, T. R., Winner, E. (2008). Short-term mood repair through art-making:
Positive emotion is more effective than venting. Retrieved May 23, 2012, from
https://www2.bc.edu/~winner/pdf/shorttermmoodrepair.pdf
Henderson, P. (2007) Creativity, expression, and healing: an empirical study using mandalas
within the written disclosure paradigm. Retrieved May 23, 2012, from
http://repository.tamu.edu/bitstream/handle/1969.1/ETD-TAMU-1604/HENDERSONTHESIS.pdf
Hill, M. (2012) Healing grief through art: art therapy bereavement group workshops. Retrieved
May 23, 2012, from http://www.agoodgroup.com/drawntogether/healing.htm
Hsiao, C. (2010) Enhancing Children's Artistic and Creative Thinking and Drawing Performance
through Appreciating Picture Books International Journal of Art Design Education, Vol.

Art Therapy- Yeh- 11

29, Issue: 2, Pages: 143-152, ISSN: 14768062. Retrieved May 21, 2012, from
http://www.mendeley.com/research/enhancing-childrens-artistic-creative-thinkingdrawing-performance-through-appreciating-picture-books/
http://www.multiplefamilygrouptherapy.com/The%20Hidden%20Method.htm
John, P., EdD., ATR-BC, LCAT, Diana Bermudez-Rodriguez, PhD, ATR-BC, Kate Collie, PhD,
ATR-BC, Donna Kaiser, PhD, ATR-BC, Sarah Deaver, PhD, ATR-BC, and Penelope
Orr, PhD, ATR-BC (2011). American Art Therapy Association Research
Committee Art Therapy Outcome Bibliography. Retrieved May 23, 2012, from
http://www.arttherapy.org/upload/outcomebibliographyresearchcmte.pdf
Jung, C. G (2012). Carl Gustav Jung On Dreams. Retrieved May 23, 2012, from
http://www.spiritcommunity.com/dreams/jung.php
Karras, T. (2012). Alternative therapies for ADHD. Retrieved from
http://www.babycenter.com/0_alternative-therapies-for-adhd_67364.bc
Kazlev, A. (2005). Rudolf Steiner: steiners life and teachings. Retrieved May 25, 2012, from
http://www.kheper.net/topics/Anthroposophy/Steiner.htm
Kozlowska. K, Hanney. L (1999). Family assessment and intervention using an interactive art
exercise, Vol.20, No.2, 6, PP 61-69 from http://www.anzjft.com/pages/articles/73.pdf
Malchiodi, C. (March 17, 2010) Psychology today: The healing arts. The Restoring Power of
Imagination. Retrieved May 11, 2012, from http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/thehealing-arts/201003/cool-art-therapy-intervention-6-mandala-drawing
Roland. C (2006) Youth in art: a developmental look at child art. Retrieved May 18, 2012, from
http://www.artjunction.org/young_in_art.pdf

Art Therapy- Yeh- 12

Rubin, J.A (2011) The art of art therapy: what every art therapist needs to know. Retrieved May
8, 2012, from http://www.routledgementalhealth.com/common/samplechapters/9780415960946.pdf
Tseng, Y., Chen, C., Lee, S., (2012). JCN Journal of clinical nursing. Retrieved May 22, 2012,
from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com.proxy.lib.pdx.edu/doi/10.1111/j.13652702.2009.02998.x/full
WebMD (2012, May 22). Type of ADHD: making the diagnosis. Retrieved from
http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/guide/types-of-adhd