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It is amazing what art can do, whether it be personal art as therapy or therapy in the form of art. I personally have used art many times as therapy in the dark moments of my life. When life gets rough I choose finger painting as my therapy of choice because it allows me to get my hnds into the medium and use them to express what I feel inside. Creating allows people to express a whole range of emotions, take power over their issues and give expression to thoughts they may have difficulty voicing even to themselves.

Any form of art can take on theraputic qualities. Sculpting, a form that also allows one to get the hands dirty, often works great for theraputic benefits. Squeezing the clay and taking control of the results can bring catharsis. Even the art of photography can become therapy if used in the right hands. Regardless of the type of art medium used, art can open doors into a patient's psyche or give him insight to express ideas he is unable to give voice to with his mouth.

Children and those with limited verbal or mental abilities especially benefit from art therapy in this way. Putting words together to express a thought or feeling is difficult for all of us at times. Children and sometimes others may not even have the words to express the inner turmoil. Art, getting their hands dirty and giving free rein to creative expression, allows them to speak without speaking.

Art not only allows free expression, it often gives therpapists insights into the psyche of the patient. Working together with a therapist, using hands instead of trying to talk, also lends itself to opening up trust between a therapist and a client. The client becomes so busy creating she doesn't even realize what's happening or what she reveals to the therapist. Art allows them to express what they can't say and gives them a forum to be heard.

The venue of art leaves the beauty of the piece in the eye of the beholder. The value of each creation is in it's worth to its creator and to it's value in advancing the theraputic benefits and healing. Art therapy allows the person to create without fear of judgement. Art therapy done with a therapist allows clients to have someone there to help them with the exploration process and to help them work through the discoveries their art and the process of creating it engenders. The therapist gives a safe place to explore and thus gives the client freedom: freedom to create, freedom from judgmet, and freedom to tell their story through the medium of art.

Learn more about this author, Angela S. Young.
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