Art+Therapy+-+Nisha

Art can be used to help clients communicate, overcome stress, and explore different aspects of their own personalities. In psychology, the use of artistic methods to treat psychological disorders and enhance mental health is known as art therapy.

Art therapy only began to formalize during the middle of the 20th-century. Adrian Hill coined the term art therapy in 1942. He discovered the therapeutic benefits of drawing and painting while convalescing. He wrote that the value of art therapy lay in "completely engrossing the mind (as well as the fingers)…releasing the creative energy of the frequently inhibited patient", which enabled the patient to "build up a strong defence against his misfortunes".

Some situations in which art therapy might be utilized include:
 * Children with learning disabilities


 * Adults experiencing severe stress


 * Children suffering from behavioral or social problems at school or at home


 * People experiencing mental health problems


 * Individuals suffering from a brain injury


 * Children or adults who have experienced a traumatic event

A 2009 study of prison inmates done by David Gussak discovered that art therapy aided in the improvement of mood within prison inmates. It is believed that prison inmates experience an external locus of control and as such feel they do not control their lives and subsequently experience a higher instance of depression and overall poor mood. Art therapy however was proven yo assist inmates to shift their locus of control from an external to internal and thus allow inmates to feel they had some control over themselves. This feeling of control led to improvement of mood and the associated depression within the inmate population.

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