Margaret Naumburg is known as the “mother of art therapy” who founded the Walden School in 1915 in New York City. Her specialty was helping individuals, especially children, to creatively express the subconscious by drawing or painting their fears, fantasies, trauma, and daydreams. She even coined the term D.O.A.T. (dynamically oriented art therapy), which is used today in hospitals, rehab, crisis and wellness centers.
Expressive art therapy programs such as those at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Boston) and Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital (Cleveland) are helping patients to manage stress, overcome fear, and better manage painful experiences. With a wide variety of illnesses from ADHD, cancer, addiction, anxiety, bulimia, depression, PTSD, to chronic fatigue, expressive art therapy allows patients to share feelings on any subject through creativity rather than speech. Emotionally, it is known to be particularly helpful for those who feel out of touch and numb. While physiologically, more medical journals are documenting the effects of expressive art therapy such as:
- Reduced PTSD triggers (in pediatric patients)
- Reduced cortisol levels in cancer patients (hormone released in response to stress)
- Increase in melatonin levels (for patients with Alzheimer’s disease)
- Improved communication and perception (for non-verbal patients)
- Behavioral correction (e.g. breaking mental habits and patterns)
Simple creative outlets are inexpensive and low pressure to try:
- Painting: watercolor, finger painting, acrylic, etc.
- Coloring: mandalas, adult coloring books, etc.
- Chalk, Ink, Pencil: doodling, tracing, scribbling, pattern design, etc.
- Pottery, ceramics, jewelry making, knitting and other textiles
You’ll be surprised how you can tap your “inner Picasso” and see art as a healing technique to reduce your stress.
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