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A Reflection on the Merits of Art Therapy

Art therapy, the healing through artistic expression of oneself, is a form of relief and
break from current troubles and worries. Throughout the course, my attention was focused on
this form of therapy that I have perceived, but not interpreted. The idea was not new for me, for
as a child in the past, I resorted to creation as well as the destruction of Legos to alleviate myself
from conflicts and pressure. However, I was not aware that I was healing myself through the
building and taking part of such elegantly designed pieces. As I matured, I turned my interests to
music, and began piano lessons. Since then, many of my breaks from high school pressure and
stress were times to learn new compositions. I much preferred the classical and romantic pieces
of Beethoven and Chopin, for such pieces required raw practice as well as passion. My fingers
were often tired after hours of practice, but I much preferred that over writer's cramp (as my
English teachers desired handwritten works). Soon, I realized that if I did not play the piano over
some time, I felt more stressed and unhappy. "Music is the mediator between the spiritual and the
sensual life," said Beethoven. As this mini-course progressed, I understood that my examples of
playing Legos and piano can be generalized to artistic expression in general. Art therapy can heal
those who cannot use words; art itself is another language patients can use to express their
thoughts and ideas, and for others to interpret and understand their emotions.
I learned the most about art therapy through our initial discussion about children; my
drawings were more detailed and profound for children than for teenagers and adults. I believe
art therapy would be most effective for children and adults, while teenagers require a more
emotionally thorough therapy. However, art therapy is a general form that is applicable to anyone
and everyone; the freedom of expression is so valuable that this therapy can be designed to heal a
variety of emotions and conflicts from a range of people with different ages and ethnicities. The
course taught me an unforgettable technique; I would encourage my friends and family members

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to try art as a form of healing. Art therapy can be used in general to many applications; though
some patients require a more formal and in depth therapy, art therapy would work well with
many other types of therapy, and can even reveal hidden observations that are not obviously
visible from regular therapeutic measures.