Can I give my therapist a drawing?

While most therapists do appreciate small gifts from clients on occasion, they are also never expected. Gift suggestions you may want to consider include: Handwritten cards. Hand-made creative item, like a small drawing or painting or an ornament.

What can you say about painting as therapy?

Art therapy works to harness that power for therapeutic means. Just as a painting or a piece of music can say something in ways that almost defy description, art therapy provides individuals facing physical, emotional, and cognitive challenges with new pathways toward understanding and self-expression.

Who would not benefit from art therapy?

Art Therapy Is Not for Everyone While high levels of creativity or artistic ability aren’t necessary for art therapy to be successful,10 many adults who believe they are not creative or artistic might be resistant or skeptical of the process.

Does art therapy actually work?

The American Art Therapy Association states that art therapy can be an effective mental health treatment for individuals who have experienced depression, trauma, medical illness, and social difficulties. Making art in therapy can be a way to achieve personal insight as well as healing.

Can art therapists diagnose?

6.3 Art therapists diagnose, treat, or advise on problems only in those cases in which they are competent, as determined by their education, training, and experience. 6.4 Art therapists cooperate with other professionals, when indicated and professionally appropriate, in order to serve their clients effectively.

Is it always appropriate to refuse gifts from a client?

It can actually undo some of the progress you’ve made with them or create new problems where none currently exist. In the sacred space of the therapist-client relationship, not receiving gifts can be viewed as a rejection of that person. It could cause rifts in the trust between therapist and client.

Is there a “right” way to do art in art therapy?

While some people may use art therapy this way, most art therapy clients may not have done art in years, or even decades. In art therapy, there is almost never a “right” or “wrong” way to create. It doesn’t have to be pretty, and in fact, the more you can let that go, the faster we usually make progress.

What happens to the client’s artwork in therapy?

In therapy, the client is creating this art and exploring it in a safe place (the office/studio) with the support of a therapist. Taken out of this safe context, some artwork can be very upsetting and emotionally triggering to clients later.

What are the most common misconceptions about art therapy?

This is a commonly held misconception. People often think that they need to create visually “accurate” depictions of situations or make “beautiful” art. While some people may use art therapy this way, most art therapy clients may not have done art in years, or even decades.

Is it safe to store art in your therapy practice?

Another piece to be aware of is that art therapists generally consider the art to be a piece of the medical record, just like progress notes. So if art is left behind after treatment ends, you should continue to store it safely as long as you store the client’s records.