ART AS THERAPEUTIC TECHNIQUE IN SOCIAL CASEWORK
ART
AS THERAPEUTIC TECHNIQUE IN SOCIAL CASEWORK
Abstract
The purpose of this
study is to understand that Social workers use different approach and
techniques with their clients. Some clients respond best to
unconditional positive regard, others to strong boundaries and clear goals, and
others to concrete behavioural outcomes. Art Therapy techniques specifically
Zentangle art can be valuable and unique tools that social workers can
incorporate into their tool boxes in order to achieve the goals already
established with their clients through Zentangle method. Which
is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful abstract images
by drawing structured patterns. It uses the creative process to
enhance physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Art Therapy techniques
access the creative and expressive part of the mind, opening up new doorways
for exploration and healing. It is
versatile, and can be used with all ages with Phobias,
Addictions and also in the issue of Pain management, Conflict resolution and
Workplace burnout.
Introduction
Social workers have
many tools in their tool boxes, and use a variety of different techniques and
approaches every day. Some clients respond best to unconditional positive
regard, others to strong boundaries and clear goals, and others to concrete behavioural
outcomes. Each of these tools and techniques serves a purpose, and are
thoughtfully applied by a skilled social worker. Art Therapy techniques are
valuable and unique tools that social workers can incorporate into their tool
boxes in order to achieve the goals with their clients. Art Therapy is to use
the creative process to enhance physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Art
Therapy techniques access the creative and expressive part of the mind, opening
up new doorways for exploration and healing. Zentangle art can be used as an
art therapeutic technique in social casework. It accesses the creative and
expressive part of the mind, opening up new doorways for exploration and
healing. It is versatile, and can be
used with all ages with Phobias, Addictions and also in the
issue of Pain management, Conflict resolution and Workplace burnout.
According to the American Art Therapy Association, art therapy is "the
therapeutic use of art making, within a professional relationship, by people
who experience illness, trauma, or challenges in living, and by people who seek
personal development. 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."
Review of Literature
History of Art Therapy
Visual expression has been employed for therapeutic
purpose for a long time. On the other hand art therapy is not considered as a
unique profession until the 1940s. During the early 20th century, psychiatrists
focused their attention on the artworks produced by their patients who suffer
from mental disease. During that time, teachers also discovered that children's
art expressions shows developmental, emotional and cognitive growth. In 1950s,
hospitals, rehabilitation agencies and clinics considered the use of art
therapy programs together with talk therapies). During that time art therapy
was emphasized because they verified that art making can improve recovery,
health and wellness of their patient. Consequently, as time passes by, the art
therapy is recognized as effective and valuable method of communication,
evaluation and treatments with children and adults in various settings. As of
present, art therapy attracted considerable attention from medical feld such as
counselling, education, arts, psychology and psychiatry. (Essays, 2015 )
Introducing Art Therapy
According to the
American Art Therapy Association, art therapy is "the therapeutic use of
art making, within a professional relationship, by people who experience
illness, trauma, or challenges in living, and by people who seek personal
development. 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." (AATA, 2017)
Art therapy is a kind
of psychotherapy that use arts their main technique of communications in order
to improve the emotional and mental wellbeing of the patients. It combines the
areas of human developments, visual art such as drawing, sculpture, painting
and other kinds of art and the artistic process with counselling and
psychotherapy. Apart from mental illness such as anxiety, depression, phobia
and trauma, they also address other issues such as substance abuse and other
forms of addictions. Their clients also includes victims of abuse and domestic
violence and people who have family and relationship issues, who experiences
social and emotional difficulties connected to disability and illness, who have
cognitive, neurological and psychosocial problems related to their medical
issues. There are many other expressive art therapies which can be used in order
to improve
the emotional and mental wellbeing of the clients.
Expressive arts
therapies are defined as the use of art, music, drama, dance/movement,
poetry/creative writing, bibliotherapy, play, and sandplay within the context
of psychotherapy, counseling, rehabilitation, or medicine. Additionally,
expressive therapies are sometimes referred to as “integrative” when various
arts are purposively used in combination in treatment. (Malchiodi, 2014)
Expressive arts therapies can be applied to nearly every
artistic medium. Some work particularly well on certain populations; others can
be applied universally. Below are five of the most commonly used approaches to
this work.
Art Therapy
Art therapy encourages clients to use media,
photography, collage and other visual images to express their thoughts and
emotions. The process is used to help clients resolve emotional conflicts,
develop social skills, manage behavior, reduce anxiety, increase self-esteem
and orient them to reality when necessary. It is a form that can be universally
applied to all clients, including children, trauma victims and even people who
are blind. One
of the leading strengths of art therapy rests in its ability to harness the
power of the metaphor. "There's a huge range in how it's used,"
Goebl-Parker says, noting it might be "a metaphor of the material
engagement—what it feels like to have your hand in the clay bucket—or the story
of the object one makes." Children in a session may be nonverbal, but in
the process of "messing around with materials" they create clear
metaphors for what they're experiencing that can later be discussed. "So
people who would have a hard time doing that work verbally can work in metaphor
and the materials become an adjunctive way for them to have language, to have a
different kind of voice," Goebl-Parker says. (Jackson, 2015)
Music Therapy
In music therapy, clients
actively create or passively listen to music to help them accomplish certain
therapeutic goals. Widely applicable, music therapy can be implemented for pain
relief, mood elevation, relaxation, physical rehabilitation, and improvement in
mental and social/emotional functioning, among other uses. The discipline is
particularly effective in helping with brain injuries. (First used for this
purpose in World War I, it has been proven to rewire neural pathways.) (Association, 2017)
Drama Therapy
Through drama therapy, clients can tell their
stories, practice behavioural changes and relationship skills, find catharsis
and express their feelings in a safe environment. The form is also particularly
useful for helping clients understand their own personal roles in life
situations. Common types of drama therapy include mask work, puppetry,
role-playing, improvisation and performance.
Dance/Movement Therapy
Dance/movement therapy assumes a correlation
between body and mind, using this assumption to further the emotional, social,
cognitive and physical aspects of a client. The therapy is practiced in an
array of health settings including mental health centers, rehabilitation
clinics, medical and forensic centers, and educational establishments. It is
most often used for individuals with impairments, such as those with
developmental, medical, social, physical and psychological issues.
Poetry Therapy
In poetry therapy, clients use language as a tool
to help process their emotions and cope with various mental and emotional
concerns. Reading and writing poems, as well as keeping journals, allows
individuals to elucidate their thoughts and feelings, increase their sense of
self-worth and clarify abstract ideas. Poetry therapy can be used with a
variety of clients such as children and adolescents, the elderly, prisoners,
the developmentally disabled, trauma victims and those living with serious
illness.
Expressive arts therapies provide a uniquely effective way
for clients to explore their issues, gain life tools and heal. Because creative
therapies are so different from traditional means and yet so widely effective,
they emphasize the importance of alternative modes of healing and offer hope
for those who cannot find effective help in other arenas. (Bernstein, 2017)
The arts provide an
alternative way to access feelings and memories without the use of words. And
clients do not need to be artists in order to benefit! In fact, having little
or no formal artistic training can be an advantage for art therapy clients, as
it frees them from rules and expectations regarding how artwork should be
created. In Art Therapy, there is no right or wrong way to make art, and the
focus is not on the product. Art can become a metaphor, a sensory representation,
or a concrete symbol of a feeling or a goal.
 |
| Myself and my Zentangle teacher Uncle Dilip Patel (CZT) |
Benefits of Art Therapy
While therapy and psychotherapy in general have many benefits, the concept
of art therapy has proven to be successful in various ways that differ from
traditional therapy practice. There are various uses for art therapy with
regards to healing, but the benefits may surprise you if you’ve never heard of
art as a form of therapy. Following are few benefits of Art therapy.- Emotional catharsis. Above all else, creative
therapy allows clients to express thoughts and feelings they would be
otherwise unable to release.
- Self-discovery. Using alternative methods of
expression allows clients to view themselves differently and explore new
aspects of their minds and personalities.
- Empowerment. Creative therapies allow
clients to consider new solutions to problems and gain a sense of control
over their own feelings and actions.
- Stress reduction. Making art can be a relaxing
process and may lead to clients’ release of long-held stressors.
While art
therapy can benefit children greatly, it can also be very helpful to adults.
Really, anyone can benefit from art therapy. Even if you’re using creative arts
as a means of expression without the aid of an art therapist, there are still
many benefits to be had. Read about some of these art therapy ideas and activities if you need some help getting started.
By
expressing yourself through art, an art therapist can help you see things about
yourself that you otherwise may not have comprehended. Art therapists can help
you process emotions and feelings that you are struggling with, so you can
begin healing. Since art therapists are trained in the arts and, obviously, in
therapy, they are capable of guiding you through the process of creative
expression. They are also quite capable of providing insight into your
creations and helping you understand certain aspects of yourself that maybe you
didn’t know existed, whether good or bad.
Art
therapy has been used in a variety of traumatic experiences, including disaster
relief and crisis intervention. Art therapists have worked with children,
adolescents and adults after natural and manmade disasters, encouraging them to
make art in response to their experiences. Some suggested strategies for working
with victims of disaster include: assessing for distress or post traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD), normalizing feelings, modeling coping skills, promoting
relaxation skills, establishing a social support network, and increasing a
sense of security and stability (Wikipedia, 2018)
It’s
important to note that one don’t need an art therapist to reap the benefits of
art therapy. If he or she go into art as therapy and learn about the basic
concepts and ideas that it represents, then you can learn a lot about yourself
through your own isolated creative expression. It’s something you can do on
your own to just relieve stress, discover yourself in new ways, etc. It’s also
something you can do with other people. It’s truly a beautiful thing when
you’re sharing art in an open, friendly, loving environment with other people
that are on the same wave.
By
expressing yourself through art, an art therapist can help you see things about
yourself that you otherwise may not have comprehended. Art therapists can help
you process emotions and feelings that you are struggling with, so you can
begin healing. Since art therapists are trained in the arts and, obviously, in
therapy, they are capable of guiding you through the process of creative
expression. They are also quite capable of providing insight into your
creations and helping you understand certain aspects of yourself that maybe you
didn’t know existed, whether good or bad.
It is
this idea of self-exploration that can often lead a person to
some insightful conclusions about themselves. Don’t be surprised if the effects
of art therapy lead to a general sense of relief and overall better mental
health. Again, it’s therapy, but with a completely different ingredient than
most people are used to, art.
It’s
important to note that you don’t need an art therapist to reap the benefits of
art therapy. If you go into art as therapy and learn about the basic concepts
and ideas that it represents, then you can learn a lot about yourself through
your own isolated creative expression. It’s something you can do on your own to
just relieve stress, discover yourself in new ways, etc. It’s also something
you can do with other people. It’s truly a beautiful thing when you’re sharing
art in an open, friendly, loving environment with other people that are on the
same wave.
Basically,
the benefits of art therapy can be quite broad. It can improve lives by helping
people improve their mental, emotional, and even physical states. It can raise
the quality of life for many people, and it’s worth considering if it can aid
you in some way or another.
Again,
maybe it’s just the act of executing creative expression on your own or with
others, or maybe it’s seeking professional help with a certified art therapist.
Either way, the benefits of art therapy make it worth exploring as a catalyst
for healing.
"Social
workers may want to explore these approaches because they are consistent with
the values and principles of the profession. There is no question about the
need for scientifically validated and evidence-based approaches to
practice," Mazza says. "However, it is equally important to recognize
that social work is an art and it is imperative for social workers to recognize
their clients' unique history, strengths, and culture. The arts offer the means
to reach and validate clients by allowing them to, "tell their
stories," in a variety of ways. "This is a respectful and
strengths-based approach." (Jackson, 2015)
About the Agency
ANHAD (Act Now for
Harmony and Democracy) is an Indian socio-cultural organization established in
March 2003, as a response to 2002 Gujarat riots. Professional activist Shabnam
Hashmi, sister of the slain activist Safdar Hashmi and Marxian historian Prof. K
N Panikkar and social activist Harsh Mander are the founding members of ANHAD.
Based in Delhi, ANHAD works in the field of secularism, human rights and
communal harmony. ANHAD’s activities include secular mobilization,sensitizing
people about their democratic rights as enshrined in Indian Constitution,
research and publication of books and reports, welfare programs for
marginalised sections of society, launching creative mass mobilization
campaigns. It also works as a pressure group among political circle to take
action against communalism. ANHAD plays a major role in Gujarat to fight
against human right violations,as well as in the Kashmir Valley. ANHAD is to
work on issues related to democracy, secularism, communal harmony, gender
equality, woman empowerment and justice. It fights for human right of the
marginalized communities. it is also involved in relief, rehabitation,
livelihood, woman empowerment, vocational training, literacy and education.
Work done by the
trainee
Working with Anhad and
for the past few months the opportunity of conducting many visual art workshop
with discussion in which, as a trainee of social work can draw upon any number
of talk therapy techniques to help their clients, there are times when talk
isn't helpful or can't be summoned. In such cases, the arts can open a back
door to the psyche, drawing from individuals that which they cannot yet put
into words, thus catalyzing subsequent therapeutic conversations. Creative arts
therapies involve the use of the arts—visual art, music, dance and movement,
drama, and poetry really make the client expressive and able to realise many
things. "It's a mindfulness art form," one of Zentangle's founders,
Rick Roberts, tells Martha Stewart Living. "And because it's so simple to
do, accessible, and easy to understand, it appeals to many different kinds of
people from wellness communities and prisons to grade schools and corporate
offices."
After completing the
workshop many participants share their experience and following are few of
their sharing.
Since childhood,I was never good in
Art.. The only art that I know was something that I learned when I was small.
when I was invited for the workshop I was not sure what am I going to do but
after learning Zentangle and seeing my own art I feel good that I can do such
beautiful art.
When I first saw Zentangle art I
never thought of I am able to do it but now doing it and having this beautiful
art really helped me to realize that I can do. I need will power to do anything.it
change my way of thinking at thinking from different ways.
There was a time when I use to love art and painting but after my
schooling I have lost my touch with art but today I enjoyed doing Zentangle. I
never heard of Zentangle until today but I am happy that I got to introduce
this art. I was so much into it that I never felt boring. I think I should
never underestimate my passion and skill. I will learn more and do more.
Invitation
from the Tihar Jail provided opportunity to conducted weekly art
workshop, on wellbeing through Visual Art. Zentangle art method with basic four
patterns was taught with target group of prisoner of age
between18-21. All of the prisoners are in because of either rape or murder.
Initially,
it was difficult as no one is ready to express and involve but the moment we
started but it went all in right and effective way.
We
conducted the art workshop with 25 participants and took two hours to complete
where it was very calm and silence workshop that I personally thoroughly
enjoyed it. My plan was to teach few zentangle patterns and complete with a
tile filled the different patterns. The final outcome of the art was very
beautiful and enriching.
Zentangle
art can also help people with their social skills. The benefits of art therapy
in these types of situations can help with people that are withdrawn or shy, or
who, for some reason or another, have a difficult time functioning within
social situations.
Critical
areas
Art
therapy’s primary reason for healing is not clearly discernible. It is not
clear whether healing occurs from the creative process or if it is due to
positive interactions with the therapist. Moreover some
people may have emotional responses and reactions that are unfamiliar and may
be difficult to experience. The emotional discomfort that may be caused by
therapy is usually temporary and will ultimately diminish in time. Art
therapists are trained to notice the various elements of any art piece rather
than evaluate them. Art therapy focuses on the therapeutic nature of the
process and looking at a final product with an observant eye rather than a
judgmental one.
Points
for discussion
·
Art therapy as unique
tools that social workers can incorporate into their tool boxes in order to
achieve the goals with their clients.
·
Need of doing Art
therapy at the juvenile home in India
References
AATA.
(2017). https://arttherapy.org/about-art-therapy/. Art theraphy, 1.
Association, A. M. (2017, Jan).
History of Music Therapy. https://www.musictherapy.org/about/history/.
Bernstein, R. (2017). Creative
Therapy in Social Work. Healing Through Art: Creative Therapy in Social
Work, 12.
Essays, U. ( 2015 ). Art Therapy And
Trauma Psychology Essay. https://www.ukessays.com.
Jackson, K. (2015, may/june). Beyond
Talk — Creative Arts Therapies in Social Work. art therapy.
Malchiodi, C. (2014). Creative Arts
Therapy and Expressive Arts Therapy. Psychological today, 3.
Wikipedia, t. f. (2018). Art
therapy. the free encyclopedia.
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