Frequently Asked Questions
What is Art Therapy?
Art therapy is a mental health profession that uses the creative process of art making to improve a person’s physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. Through creating art and reflecting on the art products and processes, people can increase awareness of self and others, cope with symptoms, stress and traumatic experiences; enhance cognitive abilities; and enjoy the life-affirming pleasures of making art.
Do I need to be skilled at art to do Art Therapy?
Nope! No prior art making skill or experience is needed.
Who can benefit from Art Therapy?
For the most part, anyone can use and benefit from Art Therapy. One of the main benefits of Art Therapy is the ability for a person to express his or her feelings through art, when other forms of communication may be difficult. Sometimes as humans it is difficult for us to express ourselves fully within the limited range of verbal language.
Some benefits of Art Therapy include the following:
-
Improved physical, mental, and emotional well-being
-
Identification and cultivation strengths
-
Relief from stress and/or anxiety
-
Deeper understanding of positive emotions
-
Increased self-esteem and confidence
-
Increased self-awareness and/or insight
-
Exploration of self-soothing skills and self-care practices
-
Development of interpersonal skills
-
Exploration and strengthening of relationships
-
Improved ability coping with change, transition, and/or trauma
... and many more!
Will an Art Therapist interpret my art or tell me what it means?
While Art Therapists are trained to pick up on symbols and metaphors in artwork, they will never interpret your artwork. An Art Therapist's main focus is to help you to find meaning in your art, and to create conversations to help you explore and resolve your challenges without judgment. An Art Therapist may assist you to explore feelings that occurred during the art-making process, or may help guide you on how your art may be representative of current challenges in your life.
How Can I Find a Qualified Art Therapist?
Because Art Therapy is a relatively new field, many countries do not regulate the practice. However, practitioners must hold a master’s degree from an accredited Art Therapy program in order to practice Art Therapy. This includes the hosting of art therapy groups, workshops, trainings, and all events marketed as Art Therapy.
In addition to this, you may find that,
Art Therapists trained in the United States may be members of the AATA (American Art Therapy Association) and/or may hold one or more of the following certifications:
-
ATR (Registered Art Therapist)
-
ATR-BC (Board Certified Art Therapist)
-
State Licensure (varies by state)
Art Therapists Trained in the United Kingdom may be members of the BAAT (British Association of Art Therapists) and/or may be registered with the HCPC (Health & Care Professions Council)
You can find a list of all certified art therapists currently practicing in Trinidad & Tobago here.
Have a question we didn't answer?
No problem. Feel free to contact us!