They say “a picture says a thousand words”. In a child’s world, a picture may be the only way he can express the words that are hidden within. Pictures can bridge a divide that exists Mutual misunderstanding and mutual miscommunication. However, when words fail, this divide can be bridged through another method – through the expression of art.

Jane Avila, founder of The Art Station in Fort Worth, is here to talk about Art Therapy and methods for reaching kids through this unique form of communication and healing.

QUESTIONS:

What is Art Therapy?
Art Therapy is the use of making Art around solving some kind of challenge in life. Trained therapists utilize art materials to explore those challenges.

Although Art Therapy can be used for children and adults alike, how is this type of treatment particularly helpful for children?
For children, visual images is a form of language on its own. Even before they are verbal they start to draw graphically and they develop that in a very progressive, natural sequence. So kids have a visual language and it is used as a way to invite you into their world. Images are spontaneous. They are not pre-thought it comes from an emotional basis. So children can express things in a non threatening way and it is outside themselves. So it is a way of getting what’s inside outside so that it can be metaphorically looked at.

Plus, if you can manipulate it, you can control it. Therefore art empowers kids to have some sense of control over the issues.

She shared a portfolio of a six-year-old little girl who had been in and out of foster care. When she started Art Therapy, she was given the opportunity to paint. There were no additional instructions – just to paint whatever she wanted. She choose to paint a rainb

What do you say to someone that Art Therapy would not be helpful for me because I am not an artist?
First and foremost, we are all artists. There is no particular skill or knowledge needed to participate in art therapy, just an openness to explore art materials. Art therapy is about the process of making the art, not the product that is produced and often times, part of the therapeutic process is learning to “fire” the inner critic that not only criticizes our artisitc abilities but all other aspects of out life. And finally, we must remember that not all art is meant to be shared with others, but rather, is a reflection of our own personal journey.

How are Art Therapists trained?
Art therapists are licensed mental health professionals (clinical social workers, professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, or psychologists) that receive specialized training in art therapy, are members of the American Art Therapy Association and are credentialed by the Art Therapy Credentialing Board.

How do you track progress through the client art work?
Progress is most noteably seen in an increase in the use or amount of color, an increase in the spontenaity of the art, and a movement in the developmental progress of the art. Another way to track progress is to observe if there is an increase in the affect and energy of the client while making art.