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What is an art therapist?
An art therapist combines training in art media and psychology
to provide mental health and personal growth services. Art therapists believe
the creative process involved in the making of art is healthy and life enhancing. Art
therapy in America is monitored by the American Art Therapy Association, and art therapists can be registered (ATR) and board
certified (ATR-BC). In some states they can be licensed by state licensing boards. Kim is licensed in New Jersey
as a licensed professional counsellor.
Not merely an "alternative" treatment, art therapy is
growing as a treatment of choice. It is a direct and simple approach set within
an empathic structure, and it can often achieve breakthroughs where conventional therapies fail. When words fail, art
speaks!
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How does art therapy work?
Regardless
of a person's skill level, art therapy offers opportunities and tools to gain insight and increase problem solving skills. The images created give an individual the chance to explore issues in a
whole new visual manner which can facilitate healing and enrich daily experiences. Also,
the creation of art has been shown to decrease stress and depression. The
art itself becomes the third person, a bridge between people. When people just
don't have the words, they find their art can express their feelings. During
the course of personal growth work, art becomes a vehicle for the expression of a range of emotions as well as a tangible
focus for goals.
Here is a picture created in a session
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