As Adaline, a firm believer in self-expression and self-healing, I've come to realize that healing can come from the most unexpected places, and one place I did not initially look was in the arts. However, when I delved into the world of creative arts therapies, I discovered a realm full of emotional catharsis, mental solace, and yes, healing. It covers a wide range of therapies that use the arts in some form or another, from music and dance to visual arts and drama. Now, let's dive into this world of innovative healing together.
In the simplest of terms, creative arts therapies encompass an array of professional fields that apply artistic activities to therapeutical interventions. These therapies include, but certainly are not limited to, dance, drama, music, and visual arts. The goal of these therapies is to motivate emotional, mental, and sometimes physical changes through the power of the arts. It's not about being the best artist or performer; instead, the emphasis is on expressing your innermost thoughts and emotions in a safe environment without judgment. Think of it as the Bob Ross of therapies, where it's all happy little accidents and beautiful chaos that somehow create this stunning masterpiece of self-discovery and healing.
If you're like me, allowing your emotions to go on a rollercoaster ride through bopping your head, swaying your hips, and twirling might seem outlandish at first; however, believe me when I say that it’s quite an effective method of treatment. Dance or movement therapy, employs movement and dance to foster emotional, mental, and physical healing and growth. Trust me, even if the only dance you’re confident about is the chicken dance from your cousin's wedding, this therapy can work wonders on setting free those pent-up feelings needing to fly out.
At the 40% chance of sharing personal experiences, I'm heeding the call and sharing an episode from my life. A few years back, I found myself in the throes of a particularly tough time. Everything felt heavy, and I could not articulate what I felt. A friend then introduced me to a dance therapy class where, for the first time in months, I felt the heaviness lift off my shoulders. Even my cat Willow saw the change, constantly trying to join me as I practiced my moves, albeit less gracefully, at home. I guess cats are not excellent dancers after all, am I right?
Now, the Mozart Effect might be an outdated theory, but there is no denying that music can play a role in healing. Music therapy involves the use of music by trained professionals to enhance health. Whether you're singing your heart out, strumming a guitar, or simply listening intently, music therapy has the power to tap into your emotions and guide them toward healing and growth. It's kind of like getting lost in your favorite song but on a profoundly therapeutic level.
Art therapy takes "let's draw our feelings" to an entirely new level. Hues, lines, shapes, and everything in between communicate emotions that words often fail to describe. So yes, if you felt that uncanny emotional peace while coloring mandalas in those adult coloring books, you’ve experienced a sort of art therapy. Art therapists guide individuals to use art as a medium of expression and reflection. It could be a surreal painting, a simplistic sketch, or a color-filled collage; it doesn't matter as long as it represents your emotions.
From my years of watching broadway shows and being a mediocre actor in high-school dramas, I’ve realized that there’s something therapeutic about stepping into someone else's shoes and living out a different narrative. Drama therapy takes it a step further by using theatre techniques to facilitate personal growth and promote mental health. It’s almost a way to take a break from your personal narrative and explore a new one, find new problems, new solutions, and bring back those solutions into your actual life.
The capacity of the arts in healing is indeed fascinating, isn't it? Exploring these therapies, I realized that the beauty of the creative arts therapies lays in the fact that they are very accessible. Anyone can partake, and everyone can benefit, no matter how young or old, or how artistic or not they believe themselves to be. Just like Bob Ross said, “We don't make mistakes, just happy little accidents.”
So, whether it's moving to the beat of your own drum, painting your journey of emotional ebbs and flows, or donning a mask in a drama therapy session, remember that it's about the process, not the product. And if you're ever in doubt, remember, there's no right or wrong way to do it, just like Willow's attempts to boogie to the rhythm of my careless whispers weren't wrong, just hilarious.
Written by Adaline Howards
View all posts by: Adaline Howards