Art Therapy Interventions for Anxiety, Chronic Pain and Addictions

ART THERAPY – WHAT IT IS AND WHAT IT ISN’T

• History of Art Therapy and the Multiple Ways it is Applied
• Engaging in art changes our emotional response to memories of trauma
• Case studies including: Female understands herself and her relationship more clearly after completing and talking about a drawing
• Art participation: bypass fears of perfectionism and the “I can’t draw” voice

ART THERAPY FOR ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION

Create new neural pathways for trauma related anxiety, PTSD and/or depression

• CBT, Positive Psychology Separating physiological sensations from fears that cause panic attacks
• Externalize and contain fears
• Stopping the automatic negative thoughts (ANTs)
• Art techniques to practice mindfulness and focus
• Challenge and change catastrophizing thoughts
• Case studies including: College student struggling with generalized anxiety
• Art Participation: Technique to express, face and destroy fears

ART THERAPY FOR CHRONIC PAIN

Create a sense of mindfulness, distraction and integration for physical and emotional pain

• Address chronic pain with understanding and provide hope
• Listening to the pain without it defining you
• Case studies including: An adult male with severe back pain
• Art experiential: Opportunity to express and release pain, and build something new out of it

ART THERAPY WITH ADDICTIONS

Techniques to tolerate frustration and uncomfortable feelings

• Examples of self-destructive behaviors in addictions
• Dangers of automatic negative thought processing Interrupt and discourage avoidance and escape
• Case studies including: Groups in drug treatment center
• Art participation: Address fear of making mistakes and allow for trying new things - encourages individual creativity within a safe structure

CHANGE PERSPECTIVES AND MOVE TOWARD OVERALL MENTAL WELLNESS

• Rebuild a new belief system combining CBT, Positive Psychology, Narrative Therapy, Mindfulness, Meditation and Art Therapy
• Recognize holding onto past hurt and anger and learning to let go
• Examples of living a life of gratitude
• Case studies including: Clients learning to release and transform fears into hope
• Art Participation: create a gratitude tree
• Practice mindfulness, acceptance, and letting go of unrealistic expectations
• Art Therapy techniques to help set aside ego fueled thoughts and behaviors and increase a connection to others
• Current research and limitations reviewed