Why art psychotherapy?
... the triangular relationship
"It's the relationship that heals, the relationship that heals,
the relationship that heals - my professional rosary"
Irvin D. Yalom.
The therapeutic relationship between the therapist and the client is said to be the most important factor in bringing about change. Art psychotherapy provides a third dimension: a triangular relationship between the therapist, the client and the art work. But what does this actually mean?
- For some clients, it can be easier to relate to the therapist through the art object. The images produced become a powerful form of communication between the two.
- Image-making helps externalise experience, so that it becomes possible to reflect upon it. In this way art becomes a bridge between the person's inner world and outer reality, and also between client and therapist. Unconscious thoughts and feelings that surface through the artwork can be worked through together.
- Images can hold feelings that might otherwise be experienced as unbearable, allowing them to be explored at a safer distance, “contained as they are ‘out there’ in the image, within the frame of the picture” (Joy Schaverien).
- "The process of using materials and the completed images which may emerge all happen within a relationship to the therapist "(Caroline Case and Tessa Dalley).
Things people say about art psychotherapy:
“Images can help people see what they cannot verbalise.”
“Sometimes words don’t seem enough, so images and words together can get across what you want to say.”
“When there are just too many words, or words are getting in the way, art gets you in touch with your emotions.”
“When you feel stuck, art can get you unstuck. You can lay out all your thoughts, feelings and experiences on the page and get a different perspective on them, so you can begin to change things.”
“When it is difficult to find the words, working with images can make it easier.”
