Art therapy is a creative, therapeutic technique that uses the artistic process to improve mental and physical well-being. It allows people to express and understand emotions through art. The document discusses what art therapy is, why it is important, different types of creative therapies, the history and goals of art therapy, conditions it can treat, evidence of its effectiveness, common techniques used, who can benefit, and how a typical art therapy session is conducted. Counseling is also defined as an interactive process between a counselor and client to facilitate behavioral changes through addressing emotional, social, and other concerns. Key counseling skills like listening, empathy, genuineness, and open-ended questions are outlined.

1. ART THERAPY & COUNSELING
SKILLS

2. What is ART THERAPY?
•Art therapy is a creative method of expression used as a
therapeutic technique.
•It is a form of expressive therapy that uses the creative
process of making art to improve a person’s physical,
mental, and emotional well-being.
•It encourages people to express and understand
emotions through artistic expression and through the
creative process.

4. Is ART THERAPY really important?
Doctors noted that individuals living with mental illness
often expressed themselves in drawings and other artworks,
which led many to explore the use of art as a healing strategy.
 Since then, art has become an important part of the
therapeutic field and is used in some assessment and treatment
techniques.
➢ Art therapy is a technique rooted in the idea that creative
expression can foster healing and mental well-being

5. Types of
CREATIVE THERAPIES
Art therapy is not the only type of creative art used in the
treatment of mental illness.
Other types of creative therapies include :-
• Dance therapy
• Drama therapy
• Expressive therapy
• Music therapy
• Writing therapy

6. Background of ART THERAPY
Art therapy as a profession began in the mid- 20th century,
arising independently in English-speaking and European
countries.
The early art therapists who published accounts of their work
acknowledged the influence of aesthetics, psychiatry,
psychoanalysis, rehabilitation, early childhood
education, and art education, to varying degrees, on
their practices.

7. Goals of ART THERAPY
The goal of art therapy is to utilize the creative process to
help people explore self-expression and, in doing so, find
new ways to gain personal insight and develop new
coping skills.
The creation or appreciation of art is used to help people
explore emotions, develop self-awareness, cope with
stress, boostself-esteem, and work on social skills.

9. What conditions does
Art Therapy TREAT?
Art therapy is used to treat both physical and mental health
conditions and address symptoms related to chronic health
concerns including:-
• Post-traumatic stress disorder/trauma recovery
• Grief/loss treatment
• Addiction recovery
• Depression
• Panic disorder
• Anxiety
• Asthma
• Cancer symptoms
• Neurodegenerative diseases
• Managing undesired behavior

11. Is there evidence that
Art Therapy works?
In the last 20 years, as patients increasingly integrate art therapy
into their treatment plans, more and more literature is being
published exploring and confirming the positive impact
of art therapy for treating certain conditions.This
includes for:-
• Trauma
• Depression, anxiety and phobias
• Burnout, fatigue and quality of life
• Physical and psychological symptoms relating to cancer
• Anxiety and quality of life in children with asthma

12. Techniques used in
ART THERAPY includes :-
Collage
Coloring
Doodling and scribbling
Drawing
Finger painting
Painting
Photography
Sculpting
Working with clay

13. Which Art Therapy TECHNIQUE to
use with clients?
.

14. Purpose of ART THERAPY
The purpose of ArtTherapy is essentially
one of healing.
Art therapy can be successfully applied to clients with
physical, mental or emotional problems, diseases and
disorders.
Any type of visual art and art medium can be employed within
the therapeutic process, including painting, drawing,
sculpting, photography, and digital art.

16. Who can BENEFIT from
Art Therapy?
Art therapy is generally applicable to anyone who needs
emotional support. It’s most commonly used for people who
have: -
➢ Chronic or life-limiting illnesses
➢ Mental health issues such as anxiety and
depression
➢ Eating disorders
➢ Learning disabilities
➢ Addictions
➢Trauma
➢ Dementia.

17. PLEASE NOTE :-
o Art therapy can not be done by “ANYONE” . One
needs to have a masters in Psychology ( for Art Psychotherapy)
Social science , Education or Human Development .Training by
a recognized institute is needed along with training in
counseling too.
oIn India , not all International organizational Accreditation or
affiliations are recognized in India since we don’t have related
associations or licensing bodies and not all Indian Affiliation and
Accreditations of Organizations are valid in other countries.

18. .
o Check with your local/national art therapy organization for
the most current list of accredited schools. If you want to
become a professional art therapist, you will need to complete
the appropriate bachelor’s requirements in addition to
completing the appropriate masters degree requirements.
o In countries where the art therapist profession is regulated,
you are almost certainly going to need a master’s degree from
an accredited school offering an art therapy program.Apply to
become a registered art therapist (ATR). It is widely used in
Europe and the United states

19. BRAIN and ART THERAPY
,

20. Art TherapyV/S Creative Arts
 Art therapy stands in contrast with other kinds of creative or
expressive arts therapies that use dance, music or drama.
 One of the major differences between art therapy
and other forms of communication is that most other
forms of communication elicit the use of words or
language as a means of communication.

22. A typical SESSION
Malchiodi (2006) provides an example of what an art therapy session
involves and how it is different from an art class.
"In most art therapy sessions, the focus is on your inner experience
yourfeelings, perceptions, and imagination.
While art therapy may involve learning skills or art
techniques, the emphasis is generally first on developing and
expressing images that come from inside the person, rather
than those he or she sees in the outside world.And while
some traditional art classes may ask you to paint or draw
from your imagination, in art therapy, your inner world of
images, feelings, thoughts, and ideas are always of primary
importance to the experience.

23. ART THERAPY EXCERSICES
Emotions: -
Deal with emotions like anger and sadness through these
helpful exercises :

24. .
 Draw or paint your emotions: In this exercise, you'll focus
entirely on painting what you're feeling.
 Create an emotion wheel: Using color, this activity will have
you thinking critically about your emotions.
 Make a meditative painting: Looking for a creative way to
relax? Have trouble sitting still to meditate? Meditative painting might
be just the thing you're looking for. No painting skill or experience
necessary - only a desire to relax and become more creative.
 Put together a journal: Journals don't have to just be based
around words.You can make an art journal as well, that lets you
visually express your emotions.
 Explore puppet therapy: Puppets aren't just for kids. Make
your own and have them act out scenes that make you upset.

25. Art Therapy for RELAXATION
Art therapy can be a great way to relax.
Consider these exercises if you're looking to feel a little
more laid back.

26. ‘
 Paint to music: Letting your creativity flow in response to music is
a great way to let out feelings and just relax.
 Make a scribble drawing: With this activity, you'll turn a simple
scribble into something beautiful, using line, color and your creativity.
 Finger paint: Finger painting isn't just fun for kids– adults can enjoy
it as well. Get your hands messy and really have fun spreading paint
around.
 Make a mandala: Whether you use the traditional sand or draw
one on your own, this meditative symbol can easily help you to loosen
up.
 Draw with your eyes closed: Not being able to see what you are
drawing intensifies fluidity, intuition, touch and sensitivity

28. What is COUNSELING?
Counselling is an interactive process between the counselee; who
needs assistance and the counsellor who is trained and educated to
give this assistance.
Counselling is that interaction which :-
1) Occurs between 2 individuals
2) Professional setting
3) Facilitate or initiate changes in behaviour of the client.
Counselling psychology can be defined as a field of psychology
that pays attention to the “emotional,
social, vocational, educational, health related,
developmental and organizational concerns”.
It Works on resolving adjustment problems.

29. Types of COUNSELORS
.

30. Nature of COUNSELING
Interactive relationship
Continuous process
Basic training, qualification, specialization and skills.
Conducted at Centre, School, hospitals, community Centre and
rehabilitation
Provides learning situations for counseling in order to bring
changes in cognition, feelings, responses, relationships etc.
Benefit of the client
Filled with warmth, empathy, responsiveness and understanding.
Respect and impartiality are co-principles of counseling. Counselors
do not take decisions for clients.

32. KEY POINTS FOR SCHEDULING
EFFECTIVE COUNSELLING SESSIONS.
Keep a consent with fully informed terms and
conditions.
Have a cancellation policy
Schedule next session before client leave.
Schedule your breaks
Be ready with the client’s case study before session.
Schedule sessions in terms of emotional demands.

34. Some important
COUNSELING SKILLS
LISTENING -
The act of listening is further delineated into the following two
components;
a. Attending - Orienting oneself physically to the patient to indicate
one is aware of the patient, and, in fact, that the client has your
full, undivided attention and that you care. Methods include
eye contact; nods; not moving around, being distracted,
eye contact, encouraging verbalizations; mirroring body
postures and language; leaning forward, etc. Researchers
estimate that about 80 percent of communication takes place
non-verbally.
b. Listening/observing - Capturing and understanding the verbal and
non-verbal information communicated by that patient.

37. .
EMPATHY –
The ability to perceive another's experience and then to
communicate that perception back to the individual to clarify and
amplify their own experiencing and meaning. It is not identifying with
the patient or sharing similar experiences, not "I know how you
feel"!

38. .
 GENUINENESS –
Ability of counselor to be freely themselves. Includes congruence
between outer words/behaviors and inner feelings; non-defensiveness; non-
role-playing; and being unpretentious.
For example, if the helper claims that they are comfortable helping a
client explore a drug or sexual issue, but their behavior (verbally and
nonverbally) shows signs of discomfort with the topic this will become an
obstacle to progress and often lead to client confusion about and mistrust
of the helper.

39. .
UNCONDITIONAL POSITIVE REGARD –
An expression of caring and nurturance as well as acceptance.
• Includes conveying warmth
• Also conveying acceptance by responding to the patient’s
messages (verbal and non-verbal) with nonjudgmental or
noncritical verbal & non-verbal reactions.
• Respect - Ability to communicate to the patient the counselor's sincere
belief that every person possesses the inherent strength and capacity to
make it in life, and that each person has the right to choose his own
alternatives and make his own decisions.

41. .  CONCRETENESS –
Keeping communications specific and focused on facts and feelings of
relevant concerns, while avoiding tangents, generalizations, abstract
discussions, or talking about counselor rather than the client.
This includes the following functions:
• Assisting client to identify and work on a specific problem from the
various ones presented.
• Reminding the client of the task and re-describing intent and structure of
the session.
• Using questions and suggestions to help the client clarify facts, terms,
feelings, and goals.
• Use a here-and-now focus to emphasize process and content occurring in
current session, which may of help to elucidate the problem being worked on
or improving the problem-solving process.

42. ,
OPEN QUESTIONS –
A questioning process to assist the client in clarifying or exploring thoughts or
feelings.
Here, the counselor is not requesting specific information and not purposively
limiting the nature of the response to only a yes or no, or very brief answer :-
• Goal is to facilitate exploration – Not needed if the client is already
doing this.
• Have an intention or therapeutic purpose for every question you ask.
• Avoid asking too many questions, or assuming an interrogatory role.
• Best approach is to follow a response to an open-ended question with a
paraphrase or reflection which encourages the client to share more and
avoids repetitive patterns of question/answer/question/answer, etc.

44. .  COUNSELOR SELF DISCLOSURE –
The counselor shares personal feelings, experiences, or reactions to the client. Should
include relevant content intended to help them.As a rule, it is better to not self-
disclose unless there is a pressing clinical need which cannot be met in any other
way. Remember empathy is not sharing similar experiences but conveying in a caring and
understanding manner what the client is feeling and thinking
 INTERPRETATION –
Any statement to the client which goes beyond what they have said or are aware of. In
interpretation the counselor is providing new meaning, reason, or explanation
for behaviors, thoughts, or feelings so that patient can see problems in a new
way. Interpretations can help the client make connections between seemingly isolated
statements of events, can point out themes or patterns, or can offer a new framework for
understanding.An interpretation may be used to help a patient focus on a specific aspect of
their problem, or provide a goal.
 INFORMATION GIVING AND REMOVING OBSTACLESTO CHANGE -
Supplying data, opinions, facts, resources or answers to questions. Explore with
client possible problems which may delay or prevent their change process. In collaboration
with the client identify possible solutions and alternatives.

45. The curious paradox is that when I accept
myself just as I am, then I can CHANGE
- CARL ROGERS

47. ART THERAPY & COUNSELING
Art therapy is extremely adaptable as a tool in
counseling. Some might assume it is only helpful for children,
and it is an extremely valuable tool for children as their verbal
and intellectual skills are being formed.
However, it can be used with adult clients and with self too .
The act of drawing, painting, building, sculpting, or
whatever visual medium one uses, activates the right
side of the brain, which is the nonverbal and emotional
side of the brain.

49. ART THERAPY & COUNSELING
 If a client is working through an issue, asking him to draw or
paint about it can help in the process of tapping further into
those emotions, and even finding out new things about his
feelings.
 An example an individual was facing a biopsy after a
mammogram found suspicious calcifications. She was with a
therapist and was handed some markers. She started drawing a
self-portrait, showed it to her therapist when she had finished and
went on home.
 When she went home, she looked at the drawing and saw as
plain as day that it looked like her hair was falling out. She hadn’t
even noticed it when she was drawing. It helped her to realize
and face her fears that she might indeed had to have treatment
and lose her hair