Why Can Art Therapy Be Better Than Talk Therapy?
Is it possible that art can be a form of healing and not just something for people who are artists?
The answer is yes. The most common type of therapy used is psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy like Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). However, there’s a dramatic difference between the two when comparing psychotherapy to art therapy. While some do better with psychotherapy, others can thrive with art therapy while learning a new skill that can last a lifetime. Art therapy can help with self-management, depression, and improve communication skills. It has also been shown to help work through past trauma, reduce stress, improve problem-solving skills, build self-esteem, reduce mental health issues, and provide a positive distraction. Understanding the effectiveness, cost, ability to participate, outcomes/results, and the overall experience of art therapy may help those who have felt like therapy wasn’t for them, consider a different method that could make a difference in their lives.
Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is the staple therapy most people receive, and many benefit from it.
Psychotherapy is often seen as a first line treatment, because patients and therapists consider this mode of treatment harmless in comparison, for instance, to drug therapy. There are only limited scientific reports on psychotherapy side effects (1,2). There is, however, some evidence which suggests that talk therapy can have frequent or serious negative consequences, like all effective treatments (3–5) (Definition, assessment and rate of psychotherapy side effects).
Being able to talk about trauma or issues to a therapist is exceptionally beneficial for some. An article called 7 Interesting Science-Based Benefits of Psychotherapy explains that, “psychotherapy can improve symptoms of depression, general anxiety disorder, social anxiety, bipolar disorder, OCD, phobias, and panic disorders when used as either the sole treatment or in conjunction with pharmacological treatments.” Psychotherapy is used to treat many different illnesses and disorders and is known worldwide. It has helped many people overcome hardships and trials they have faced. The Benefits of Psychotherapy: Mental Health Will Never Be Reduced to a Tiny Colored Pill is an article that shares that, “seeking psychotherapy is frequently a decision made when problems persist, intensify, or cause significant impairment. It is not an easy choice. However, seekers of such help can be assured that our field will continue to refine effective techniques and strategies while maintaining our human touch.” Being able to be open about your mental health is the first step in healing. Being comfortable reaching out to a professional during a time of need is essential. Therapists are constantly changing their methods, exploring how they can help their patients heal. As they see something not work for an individual, they may offer an alternative that can be beneficial.
Art therapy has come a long way since it was first brought to light in the 1940s.
Today, it is used to help thousands of people who have a mental or physical illness, problems communicating, experienced trauma, are stressed, or are experiencing the negative effects of aging. No matter the reason, it is open to those who are willing to give it a try. The Effect of Art Therapy on Cognitive Performance Among Ethnically Diverse Older Adults has another fantastic definition of art therapy, "art therapy can mean when the inner, symbolic, accurate interpretation or message is created from materials through symbolic representation or meaningless elements." For example, when asked what might happen next or who is in a picture, the answers can be found with inductive reasoning, logic, and by engaging the memory.
The client’s ability to maintain and visualize mental imagery and use cognitive skills will help with the visual perception of art therapy, which is an essential part of functional memory. Clients will be asked to look over their artwork y using identification skills and searching for artistic representations in the objects, colors, and themes they used. As a matter of fact, it is used to help veterans with mental and physical illness and those who struggle with substance abuse.
Masoumeh Farokhi, author of Art Therapy In Humanistic Psychiatry, talks about another definition of art therapy, “the second definition of art therapy is based on the idea that art is a means of symbolic communication. This approach, often referred to as art psychotherapy, emphasizes the products— drawings, paintings, and other art expressions— as helpful in communicating issues, emotions, and conflicts. The art image becomes significant in enhancing verbal exchange between the person and the therapist and in achieving insight; resolving conflicts; solving problems; and formulating new perceptions that in turn lead to positive changes, growth, and healing.”
Art as therapy and art psychotherapy can be used together in diverse ways.
Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that helps people figure out who they are, what they have gone through, and explore complicated feelings and thoughts through the art of their choosing. An article titled, Art therapy: Another Way to Help Manage Pain, explains how “Art therapy helps lower the perception of pain by moving your mental focus away from the painful stimulus. It is not simply a distraction, but rather a way to teach you how to relax and alter your mood, so the pain doesn’t control your emotional state.” This is particularly important when it comes to healing from past traumas.
Most people who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) have a challenging time verbally expressing what they are experiencing. Perspectives on the use of Glass in Therapy explains that, “glass had never been one of the many media we offered to our patients. We first encountered its therapeutic usefulness when traumatized patients informed us that they were using the material, spontaneously, as a mode of emotional expression. Patients reported that some of the material’s properties were of particular value to them. Glass could be broken, shattered, smashed, and crushed, producing explosive sounds and visually dramatic outcomes.”
As one can see, art therapy isn’t necessarily about creating something, rather, it can be used as a tool to express oneself. Some people can find satisfaction in smashing art after they are done with it as a way to detach themselves from the emotions they put into their craft. Suppose it is possible to help Veterans who deal with PTSD or those struggling to reconnect with life outside a war experience for example. Imagine what it can do for others who suffer from mental illnesses.
Knowing how expensive the health care system is, mental health is a cost in itself, and it does not come cheap.
Many people don’t know that art therapy can be a lot cheaper than psychotherapy and most other medical expenses. Seeing a doctor, going to the ER, seeing a psychiatrist or a therapist, or even taking prescription medications can be expensive at any time. Moreover, for some of these, insurance doesn’t cover the cost. Seeing the price of a therapy session is enough to make anyone not want to go to therapy. An article titled Therapy Cost talks about the differences, “The average cost of therapy is $60 to $120 per session, with most American’s paying between $20 to $250 per hour depending on the number of sessions booked, and if it’s covered by health insurance, rates average $20 to $50 per session, or about equal to your current copay.
While formal art therapy can cost upwards of $100 per hour, many art therapy programs are often provided for free through local community organizations, it’s just knowing where to look. Most colleges, youth groups, nonprofit organizations, and many others offer art therapy sessions. Some even provide supplies for you to use as well. Nicole Javorsky talks about Miriam Stirewalt’s struggle to find accessible art therapy in her article Art Therapy Helps, But Insurance Often Hinders It, although, "Stirewalt has managed to continue making art regularly, often with magazine clippings. She says it helps her understand her thoughts and feelings better.”
While the studies are inconclusive, they do provide the possibility that art therapy can be more cost-effective.
However, it is something that would need to be researched further to make a proper assessment. While there is a difference between psychotherapy and art therapy with cost, it does not mean that one is better than the other. It is all on personal preference to what works for the individual.
Having to relive a traumatic event by talking about it is not a viable option for some. However, being able to express the trauma that you may have experienced without having to talk can make a dramatic difference for some people in healing from their trauma. This is one of the main differences between psychotherapy and art therapy, having to talk about the things you have experienced versus expressing yourself in an art medium of your choice.
Art therapy: Another Way to Help Manage Pain explains that, “you may focus on making a piece of art that represents what your pain looks like on that particular day, and then discuss how the pain is connected to the different lines, shapes, and colors you create.” For some, drawing squares and coloring those squares can express something they never thought of, or painting something abstract can lift a weight off someone’s shoulders. This gives individuals the freedom to open up in a way they never knew they could.
In the article, From Visual to Verbal Disclosure, "these changes demonstrate how art enabled [individuals] to move from the personal visual disclosure to verbal disclosure, express their real feelings, focus on exploring those issues they were concerned with, face their problems more directly, and understand themselves at a deeper level.” In other words, it takes a person out of their head and puts them in a different state to focus on whatever emotions may arise, to be able to make something that speaks to what they are feeling in that current moment without having to say exactly what they are going through.
In a study done at Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods College in Indiana, they found, “significant results on the benefits of art therapy, including several improvements in the following categories: competencies and behaviors among children of addicts; improvements in anxiety and depression scores among patients with long-lasting somatic symptoms; significant gains in mood, communication, and interpersonal feelings; significant improvements in cognitive functioning; significant improvements in self-esteem, and self-actualization; improved attitudes toward self; improved behaviors, insight capacity; and reduced depressive and anxiety symptoms (p. 208-210).”
Art therapy gives people the opportunity to let their art do the talking instead of talking themselves. Most can benefit from this experience solely because they don’t have to communicate their experiences fully.
Many people think that you have to have some kind of creativity in order to succeed with art therapy, but that isn’t the case. Most people who try art therapy are under the impression that they have to come from some art background or have studied art at some time in their lives. The beauty is, you could have never picked up a paintbrush in your life but could still benefit from painting and find it therapeutic.There’s a difference between taking a class to learn a technique and taking a class to learn to express yourself.
The difference between the two has to do with how you can bring your inner thoughts to the outside world in a creative and productive way. The article also explains that, "art therapy isn’t for everyone." While high levels of creativity or artistic ability aren’t necessary for art therapy to be successful, many adults who believe they are not creative or artistic might be resistant or skeptical of the process. In addition, art therapy has not been found effective for all types of mental health conditions. For example, one meta-analysis found that art therapy is not effective in reducing positive or negative symptoms of schizophrenia. The importance of this is to understand that it takes practice and time to be able to express yourself the way you want.
Everyone is going to experience therapy differently and be drawn to certain types of treatment over others. Some may thrive with dance therapy, psychotherapy, or even equine-assisted therapy. It all depends on the individual. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to mental health. There are many diverse types out there, and it’s about finding what works best for you.
From Visual to Verbal explains that, “for clients who find social interactions difficult, creative-arts activities may initially be more acceptable than other forms of psychosocial support. If counselors do choose to go down this route, it would be a good idea to explain to their clients the aims, procedures, and benefits of this approach.” People who have difficulty communicating feelings or emotions can really benefit from having something other than psychotherapy as a means to express themselves.
When it comes to art therapy, there is no right or wrong way to do it.
Art therapy: Another Way to Help Manage Pain says, “You don’t have to be an artist to benefit from art therapy. The type of art you do doesn’t matter either. In fact, Skerpan encourages people to consider all kinds of artistic expression, including printmaking, mixed media, woodworking, and ceramics. "You also could revisit something you enjoyed in the past, or an art form you are interested in learning more about," she says. There are many different mediums to work with inside art therapy.
In my personal experiences with both psychotherapy and art therapy, I can say that I do see the benefits of both and why they are essential. My experience with psychotherapy has had its difficulties in finding the right therapist that worked for me. It's never easy to open up to someone you have never met or who may not understand your situation. Being a woman of color can make things that much more difficult when it comes to finding a therapist. Most of the therapists I’ve had were white, only two were African American. It was a challenge to find a female African American therapist, let alone one I could connect with.
I can say that I have done a lot better having had an African American instead of a white therapist because I’m talking to someone who looks like me and knows what I am talking about. I don’t have to fully explain what I have dealt with because they already know what it’s like. Studies show that there aren’t enough therapists of color practicing, which can be a problem for those like me who would like to talk to someone they can relate to personally, especially when it comes to things that only certain ethnic groups deal with.
Therapist Demographics and Statistics in the US show that 76.4% are white, 10.6% are Asian, 6.3% are Hispanic, 4.1% are Black, 2.2% are Unknown, and .4% are American Indian and Alaska Native. This can be a problem for minorities who can’t find a therapist to whom they can relate since it can cause us to feel like we aren’t being heard, we are being judged or put down for our beliefs, or may just make us feel small. I have experienced all these things from past therapists.
While I have never actually had an art therapy session, art has been the one thing that really saved my life before I even started going to therapy. I'd imagine, if I actually went to an art therapist, I could have even more success working through my traumas.
It is a way to open up in a way you never have before and to possibly unlock something that is hidden inside you. While there are many different forms of art therapy out there, there is no one size fits all. Instead, find something that resonates with you: painting, journaling, photography, visual arts, flower pressing, soap making, glass, music, or something as simple as charcoal. Once you find the medium that works for you, you can and will accomplish and make beautiful art that is an expression of you.
I would like to see art therapy be more of a focus for specific demographic groups, people with particular mental or physical illnesses, or those who have social anxiety with psychotherapy. I feel that for many, it could make all the difference and be a great alternative to talk therapy.
Works Cited
- Carver, Liddy. “From Visual to Verbal Disclosure.” Therapy Today, vol. 28, no. 4, May 2017, pp. 36–37. EBSCOhost, https://search-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.palomar.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=pbh&AN=123052651&site=ehost-live&scope=site. Accessed 19, May 2022
- Central East MHTTC. “Black Students: To White Students 50% Prior to College.” Mental Health in College Students Fact Sheet, 7 Feb. 2020, https://mhttcnetwork.org/sites/default/files/2020-02/Mental%20Health%20in%20Black%20College%20Students%20Fact%20Sheet_2.pdf. Accessed 19, May 2022
- Cherry, Kendra. “How Art Therapy Works.” Verywell Mind, 31 Aug. 2021, https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-art-therapy-2795755#toc-effectiveness. Accessed 19, May 2022
- Elevation Behavioral Health. “9 Benefits of Art Therapy.” Elevation Behavioral Health, Elevation Behavioral Health Https://Elevationbehavioralhealth.com/Wp-Content/Uploads/2018/12/logo_ebh.Png, 22 Feb. 2021, https://elevationbehavioralhealth.com/9-benefits-art-therapy/. Accessed 19, May 2022
- Farokhi, Masoumeh. “Art Therapy in Humanistic Psychiatry.” Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, Elsevier, 27 Dec. 2011, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877042811022312?ref=pdf_download&fr=RR-2&rr=70e2ee65dc3d5214. Accessed 19, May 2022
- Goldstein, Sam. “The Benefits of Psychotherapy.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, 14 Sept. 2012, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/raising-resilient-children/201209/the-benefits-psychotherapy. Accessed 19, May 2022
- Houston, Elaine. “7 Interesting Science-Based Benefits of Psychotherapy.” PositivePsychology.com, 7 Dec. 2021, https://positivepsychology.com/benefits-of-psychotherapy/. Accessed 19, May 2022
- How Much Does Therapy Cost in 2022? (per Session & Hour).” Thervo, https://thervo.com/costs/how-much-does-therapy-cost#:~:text=There%20are%20various%20art%20therapy%20programs%20offered%20across,expect%20to%20pay%20at%20least%20%24100%20per%20hour. Accessed 19, May 2022
- Linden, Michael, and Marie-Luise Schermuly-Haupt. “Definition, Assessment and Rate of Psychotherapy Side Effects.” World Psychiatry: Official Journal of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA), Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 1 Oct. 2014, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4219072/. Accessed 19, May 2022
- Picteaza, Cristina. “100 Art Therapy Exercises for Mental Health with Examples.” Cristina Is Painting, 29 Nov. 2018, https://cristinapicteaza.com/100-arttherapy-exercises-for-mentalhealth/#:~:text=Other%20types%20of%20art%20therapy%20exercises%20for%20mental,martial%20arts.%20...%207%20Build%20a%20terrarium.%20. Accessed 19, May 2022
- Pike, Amanda. “The Effect of Art Therapy on Cognitive Performance among Ethnically Diverse Older Adults.” Taylor & Francis, 7 Dec. 2013, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07421656.2014.847049. Accessed 19, May 2022
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- Solan, Matthew. “Art Therapy: Another Way to Help Manage Pain.” Harvard Health, 12 July 2018, https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/art-therapy-another-way-to-help-manage-pain-2018071214243. Accessed 19, May 2022
- Somer, Liora, and Eli Somer. “Perspectives on the Use of Glass in Therapy.” American Journal of Art Therapy, vol. 38, no. 3, Feb. 2000, p. 75. EBSCOhost, https://search-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.palomar.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=pbh&AN=2838856&site=ehost-live&scope=site. Accessed 19, May 2022
- Uttley, Lesley, et al. “The Clinical and Cost Effectiveness of Group Art Therapy for People with Non-Psychotic Mental Health Disorders: A Systematic Review and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis - BMC Psychiatry.” BioMed Central, BioMed Central, 7 July 2015, https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-015-0528-4. Accessed 19, May 2022
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