This ongoing pursuit of knowledge underscores Amanda’s
commitment to maintaining the highest level of expertise in her field. Collages are a form of art therapy that can be accomplished by even the most artistically timid. The options for what this collage space can art therapy for addiction mean for the creator are endless. Chances are, if you have ever visited an art gallery, you have encountered a painting or two that looks like your toddler could have produced it. Rather than viewing that as an insult, that is one of the beautiful aspects of art.

Ask open-ended questions about what you see and also offer up any “noticings” that occur to you about their process, product, and symbols. Be mindful not to assign your own meaning without allowing the client to do so first. Rather than explore the details of her experiences, I asked Sydney to depict the wall that got built as a result of those events. Art therapy is not about creating a masterpiece; it’s about the therapeutic journey. Every stroke, smudge, or shape is a reflection of your emotions and thoughts.

Untitled Art IIPA Is the Sweet Nectar You Need

Spontaneous imagery can mean many things; most often it refers to creating a scribble or free-form lines and looking for images within those lines. Art therapy has become an extremely popular treatment tool, thanks in part to its ever-growing list of benefits. Like Howes, I am not going to talk about evidence-based approaches or outcomes.

Art therapy can also help with the common co-occurring mental health disorders that people struggling with addiction face such as depression and PTSD. For example, consider how the brain can only hold so much information, and it can be difficult to process it all internally. Art therapy can be a great way to marry the mindfulness practices often taught during SUD treatment with a focus on a healthy outlet for your feelings. For example, if you have the urge to reduce stress by returning to drinking alcohol, this is where art therapy can become involved. At your next opportunity, you could illustrate how you felt when you wanted to drink, as well as any emotions or concerns you had at that moment. Art can also help those who feel tied down or unsure of who they are.

The Bear (Season One) – A Look at Addiction from An Al-Anon Perspective

I am also not going talk about the use of art to evaluate or assess emotional or other disorders; that is a topic both fascinating and controversial and a subject for another blog series. While substance use disorders have long been viewed as primarily affecting men, women, transgender, and non-binary individuals also suffer from addiction at high rates. The process of mixing and molding the clay into a shape can feel very calming. Once you complete the jar, you can fill it with items that help you recall pleasant memories such as tickets or letters from a loved one. Every vignette, case study, or reference to a client has been adapted and adjusted for legal and ethical publication.

Whether their identity struggles are related to childhood trauma, unresolved loss, or a life transition, the Identity Collage art therapy activity can help them explore who they are. Because it’s collage, it’s super accessible for most clients and there is a lot of versatility in terms of what kind of prompt and materials you provide. While working with adults, you will likely come across a wide variety of issues. From anxiety to PTSD, to grief to substance use, therapy with adults covers a broad range. Many adults struggle with things like unresolved loss, life transitions, identity development, and conflict in relationships.