CONSIDERATIONS IN ART THERAPY

Time

Considerable amount of time should be allotted for each session. Time for art therapy and self-expression must be based on the needs of each student.

Setting

Setting is an art therapy session is of great importance. The venue should be spacious and must be able to accommodate group as they work. Provisions for good lighting and for washing the hands and the art tools must be provided. Height of work tables and chairs must also be taken into consideration so that the students will be comfortable as they work on their art.

Therapeutic Process

Therapeutic process refers to the integrating energies released in a student as a result of his interaction with the teacher or therapist. It involves the therapeutic bond or the relationship between the student and the therapist, therapeutic realizations (what the students gets out of the session) and the self-relatedness (the degree to which the student is capable of opening himself up to the therapeutic experience). The teacher ensures that each student is comfortable in the working environment and encourages the class members toward their own self-exploration and self-expression of their own art work. The therapist respects each of the student’s pace and analyzes the student’s output only until after he is ready to share and express his thoughts and emotions. The art work becomes a record of the session which the student can go back to.

Artistic Output

When the student uses the art materials for self-expression and creativity, he is able to establish meaning through his work of art through association. Thoughts, emotions and desires are reveal with the student’s works of art as this creative output reflects messages from his unconscious mind.

Art Therapist

The art therapist's work is challenging and calls for skill and sensitivity; it follows that those who wish to pursue a career in art therapy should be mature, flexible people. The teacher should be equipped with knowledge of art materials and art therapy methods. The needs of each student must be assessed which will be the basis of selection of art activities, and the flow of therapy sessions. The art therapist must have empathic understanding, respect toward the students and genuine interaction with them to be able to effectively facilitate the creative process.