Art therapy is one of the central psychotherapeutic areas, which includes therapeutic, correctional and rehabilitation work. It is based on the use of visual arts to help patients. The term "art therapy" was originally used in English-speaking countries. It appeared around the first half of the twentieth century. This term denoted various methods of rehabilitation and therapeutic practice based on art.

Today, art therapy is the therapeutic use of the patient's visual creativity, which involves a three-way directed interaction between the patient, his work and the psychotherapist. The creation of visual images on paper is considered the most important means of interpersonal communication and is a form of cognitive activity of the client that helps him express past or current experiences that are quite difficult for the client to convey through words.

Art therapy methods

The main goal of art therapeutic methods is to create harmonious personal development through the formation of abilities of self-expression and cognition. From the followers' perspective classical psychoanalysis, the core tool of psychocorrective influence in art therapy is considered to be the mechanism of sublimation. K. Jung made an assumption about the leading role of art to facilitate the processes of individualization of personality formation, which is based on establishing a balance between the unconscious “I” and the conscious “I”. Jung considered the most important art therapeutic technique to be the technique of active imagination, which is aimed at confronting the conscious “I” and the unconscious “I” with each other, at their reconciliation with each other through affective interaction.

Art therapy can be used as a primary method or as a supporting method.

Today we can distinguish two fundamental methods of corrective influence on the human psyche, characteristic of the art therapy method.

Art helps to recreate a traumatic conflict situation in a specific symbolic form and allows you to find ways to resolve it by transforming such a situation, using the client’s creative abilities. This is the first art therapy technique.

The second technique is closely related to the nature of the occurrence of an aesthetic reaction, which allows you to modify the effect of affect from negative to positive.

Art therapy methods include drawing, sculpting, music, modeling with paper, modeling, wood or stone work, literary creativity, singing, dancing, etc.

Art therapy sessions can be carried out in two ways. The first method is to provide the client with the opportunity to make crafts from a certain material according to a sample on a given topic. This allows you to see amazing unusual combinations of colors, the original expression of the plot and its unique form. All of the above has a direct connection with the characteristics of the patient’s worldview, his emotions, experiences, worries, which reflect symbols hidden from consciousness, which makes it possible to obtain additional information for diagnosis, indicating the presence and quality of the client’s problems.

The second method is an unstructured lesson in which clients are asked to choose the theme or plot of the craft, material, and tools. The final stage this method is a discussion of the theme or plot, manner of performance, choice of material, etc.

Many well-known psychotherapists emphasize the leading role of art therapy in increasing adaptive abilities in everyday life.

A variety of art therapeutic methods creates a specific situation in order to obtain a painless approach to the depths of the client’s consciousness, allows him to stimulate the processing of his unconscious anxieties and experiences, helps to develop previously blocked or underdeveloped perceptual systems responsible for the perception of the surrounding world, and to form associative-figurative thinking. For an experienced psychologist or psychotherapist, art therapy is an invaluable diagnostic material. The variety of art therapeutic methods opens up unprecedented scope for creative exploration.

One of the leading methods of art therapy is the Mandala method, which means center or circle. The mandala design is symmetrical and usually represents a circle with a pronounced center. The main landmarks, the number of which may vary, are indicated inside the circle. However, in the complex geometric structure of the mandala one can also find other elements, such as a square, all kinds of ovals or curved lines, rectangles and triangles. Thus, a mandala is a circular drawing that can be a product of an individual’s spontaneous creative activity or drawn in accordance with given instructions. Drawings inscribed in circles originated in ancient civilizations and were preserved in modern world. The rounded variation of mandalas has always accompanied humanity, for example, the circle is the central focus of many sacred cults of gods and prehistoric places of worship. The image of mandalas is found in various nationalities and cultures, for example, in all kinds of architectural compositions, on the tambourines of Siberian shamans, in the diagrams of labyrinths.

Since ancient times, the mandala carries the spiritual meaning of a conditional reflection of the world order and mental harmony. Humanity has intuitively learned to calm the soul and mind with the help of drawings in a circle, while using them as an opportunity to get closer to nature.

C. Jung was one of the first scientists in Europe who studied the ideas of the mandala with close attention. In his work “Memories, Dreams, Reflections,” he talked about his first image of a mandala in 1916, after which he sketched new mandalas every day in his notebook. Jung concluded that each new image reflects his mental life at a particular moment. He then began to use his drawings to document his own “psychic transformation.” Ultimately, Jung hypothesized that the Mandala method of art therapy is a kind of direct path to the center of the personality, to the discovery of its unique nature and individuality. He believed that the mandala represents immeasurably powerful symbol, which is a visible projection of the world of the human psyche and expresses the Self of the individual.

Today, many experts in the fields of art, anthropology, archeology, psychology and psychotherapy continue to study mandalas. Working with mandalas helps the individual strengthen the connection between the conscious “I” and the unconscious “I”. The need to draw mandalas, especially in crisis situations, may mean that the unconscious Self seeks to protect the conscious Self. This can be confirmed by the squiggles often drawn by children and adults in moments of crisis, when the “I” is filled with unconscious, disturbing content.

Mandalas can be abstract drawings that people unconsciously draw on paper while they are alone, for example in a meeting or lecture that is not interesting to them, or in the process of telephone conversation. Such drawings represent an attempt to compensate for mental absent-mindedness. If we analyze unconscious drawings, we can conclude that the core of most of them are geometric figures, such as square, circle.

One of the most important benefits of practicing with mandalas is to reveal yourself with the help of your own “inner child”, through contemplation, the use of colored pencils, paints and free time.

Art therapy method Mandala is equally successful both in working with children and adults. In psychocorrectional, rehabilitation and developmental practice with young children and adolescence Mandalas can be used for the following purposes:

— correctional work of emotional states, normalization of behavioral reactions, for example, by coloring ready-made mandalas;

- diagnostics of current emotional state and moods, for example, by coloring a white circle;

- studying the group relationships of children, for example, by creating individual mandalas in a group with the subsequent creation of a group composition;

- diagnostic and corrective work with a specific problem, for example, by coloring a circle, which can symbolize school, the child’s environment, family, his self-image, friendship, etc.

Also, art therapy, the Mandala method, can be used in other current areas of correctional, diagnostic, rehabilitation, developmental and therapeutic work with children, adolescents and adults. These areas include problems with self-esteem, internal imbalance, loss of self-control, activation of the individual’s resource states, hypersensitivity or alexithymia, phobias, assistance with adaptation, personal and age-related crises, family and psychosomatic problems, fine motor disorders, team building, etc. .

Mandalas transform the forces of the innate mental structures of the subconscious into the conscious “I”. Therefore, when working with mandalas, the interpretation of the creative result can be the same as when working with other projective techniques. The colors chosen for the image of the mandala can reveal different sides of the personality of the person who has applied, who will intuitively be inclined to choose the currently relevant or favorite color. This choice may vary depending on the internal state, age or life stage, etc. Children usually have more spontaneity when choosing colors than adults. After all, adult individuals are controlled by reason, so they attach great importance to aesthetic criteria. Many individuals who draw a mandala for the first time suppress the open, true expression of feelings; they think about how best to arrange and emphasize the colors so that the drawing turns out harmonious and beautiful. However, when the “inner child” awakens in the process of creativity, the process of “healing” begins directly. Any mandala is a product of individual creative activity of a person, created in a certain period of time and in a specific place. That is why it will always be unique and can never be repeated exactly.

Types of art therapy

For the human personality, creativity is one of the simplest opportunities to comprehend one’s own inner world, understand and know yourself. It is addressed to best sides the human soul, to its brightest and most sincere aspects. When a person draws, sings, plays music or finds self-expression in other forms of creativity, it helps him to relax, calm down, open up and be in harmony with his own soul. The following types of art therapy are distinguished: isotherapy, dance and play therapy, phototherapy, music therapy, phototherapy, fairy tale therapy.

Isotherapy includes applied types of creativity, such as painting, different kinds painting, modeling, etc. This type of art therapy is one of the most popular and widespread today. Doctors specializing in isotherapy recommend showing your own emotions and worries with the greatest possible spontaneousness (spontaneity). The main advantage and benefit of isotherapy is considered to be the elimination of self-censorship barriers, which opens the door to the client’s subconscious. Creativity has a unique property that helps bring to the surface all hidden and unconscious secrets, desires, problems that constantly put pressure on the individual. The process of sculpting or drawing involves right hemisphere brain It is precisely because of this that the censorship of the mind, which tries to filter out negative thoughts and negative emotions. However, before choosing a color palette, before the images that appear, the human mind becomes powerless. Isotherapy also quite often uses techniques to recreate own dreams and drawing mandalas.

Dance therapy is about expressing your mood, emotions and feelings through dance. Dance therapy classes are considered very effective and healing. Psychotherapists believe that this method art therapy contributes to the transformation of views on the world. The founder of body-oriented therapy, W. Reich, argued that if any emotions, for example, anger or joy, are not given a way out for a long time, they will accumulate in the cells of the human body, forming the so-called muscle shell. With the help of dance therapy, this process can be prevented. In cases where this has already happened, break it. You need to dance until you feel complete freedom. However, dance therapy should not be confused with classes in a dance studio, since in the studio all movements are determined by the trainer and are not spontaneously expressed.

Beethoven treated music as a revelation higher than wisdom or any other philosophy. Numerous studies have shown that music therapy is extremely beneficial. It is effective for Alzheimer's disease, depression, stress and sleep disorders. In the process of listening to musical works, the internal state of an individual changes. A person, listening to music, adapts to the rhythm of the motive and absorbs positive vibrations.

Play therapy also has a healing effect on the human psyche. Access to the subconscious is opened by playing difficult life situations, turning to the hidden corners of the psyche in search of important emotions. In the process of theatrical play, memory is activated, attention improves, willpower increases, imagination becomes brighter and the ability to control one’s body improves. Sand therapy is considered one of the varieties of this type of art therapy. Its foundations were laid by C. Jung.

To solve various psychological problems, self-development and self-knowledge, phototherapy has been successfully used for the last 10 years. This type of art therapy is considered quite young; its development began in the late 70s of the 20th century in the USA. In phototherapy, additional visual techniques can also be used, for example, collage, installation of finished photographs in the interior, creation of models from photographs and further interaction with them, etc.

Art therapy Kopytin proposed using photography as a therapeutic, corrective, developmental and health-preserving means. The availability of photography, as well as the variety of forms and variations of phototherapy sessions, allows the use of this technique in working with people of different ages(starting from three years), regardless of their level of development and needs.

Art therapy Kopytin noted the positive influence of photography on the patient’s personality and her relationship with environment. This effect can manifest itself both during independent individual lessons and during the creation of photographs and their further discussion with a specialist.

Fairytale therapy is quite effective when working with dreamers. It is successfully used to understand the mental state, resolve various conflict situations, for internal transformations. Fairytale therapy is considered an indispensable method of helping very young children and older adults. It can take place in two ways: by listening to a fairy tale told by a therapist or by children who can come up with their own story. By independently inventing a plot, the child reveals his inner world, communicates his feelings and dreams, and learns to find a way out of any situation.

Art therapy for children

Art therapy classes for children today are the most exciting, effective and quite economical way psychological assistance children. It is based on creativity and play activity.

The baby’s psyche is characterized by vulnerability, as a result of which it requires more careful attitude. After all, the child is just learning to know himself, he is just beginning to get acquainted with the environment and other people. Therefore, on our still small life path Children very often face serious difficulties for them, for example, in the family or kindergarten. Parents really want to help their kids, but often they simply don’t know how to do it. After all, explanations or beliefs, reading lectures and warnings do not help, and the child is not able to clearly explain on his own what caused their condition and what exactly is happening to him. For example, why he refuses to go to kindergarten or what he is afraid of in the dark. It is in these cases that art therapeutic practices will be indispensable.

Art therapy classes for children are usually held in a more free form. Discussion and resolution of various psychological difficulties and problems occurs against the background of gaming or creative activity. In such classes, the child, while enjoying play or creativity, reveals his own creative abilities, becomes the center of an adult’s attention, overcomes psychological difficulties, and changes his personal psychological reality.

The main condition for all activities developed for children's art therapy is clarity and safety for children, availability of funds and attractiveness.

Sand therapy is considered the most common and favorite method of art therapy for children, meeting all of the above requirements. All that is needed to conduct sand art therapy practice is an ordinary sandbox or box of sand. By drawing with sand, creating sand castles or other figures, the child develops tactile sensations and becomes more relaxed. This is how the baby expresses himself.

The most accessible exercise, which requires just a piece of paper and a pencil, is drawing doodles. The child is absolutely free, without thinking about the final result, to draw a ball of lines on a piece of paper, and then tries to discern some kind of image in it, followed by its description. During the description, the child can consciously complete the drawing, highlight the contours, accentuate the lines, shade some areas, etc.

One more is enough interesting variety isotherapy is monotypy, which means “one print”. The child must create a drawing (spots, lines, etc.) on a surface that will not absorb paint, for example, on plastic or linoleum, using ink, ink, watercolor, etc. Then a piece of paper is applied to the surface, as if blotting . The resulting mirror image on paper should be given to the child so that he can examine it, describe what happened, complement or complete the image.

Art therapy exercises

The main difference between art therapy and other types of psychotherapeutic practices is the use of nonverbal communications as the main mechanism for conveying information to people. It is based on practical exercises that help an individual find answers to all sorts of questions, cope with internal inhibitory factors, and overcome fears.

Exercises in art therapeutic practice are a kind of tool that allows you to explore ideas, events, feelings, and develop interpersonal relationships, abilities and skills, increase self-esteem and confidence, create a new, more successful image of one’s own “I”.

An art therapy session consists of two parts. The first part covers the client's creative expression, is non-verbal in nature, and does not include a specific structure. The main tool for self-expression of patients in this part is creative activity, for example, drawing or modeling. In the second part, verbal mechanisms dominate. It comes immediately after the first and consists of a verbal active discussion of the fruits of creative activity.

Collage is considered the most popular method of art therapy among leading psychotherapists, as it allows the doctor to assess the patient’s current mental state and identify his most disturbing experiences. Main characteristics this exercise are to focus on the client’s positive emotional experiences, the opportunity for self-expression of any person, even those completely far from art, to reveal their maximum potential. Collage is considered a very effective tool for working with personality.

Creating figures from clay allows an individual to give vent to his own emotions and experiences through modeling. There are a huge number of variations of this exercise, ranging from the creation of clay vessels to the sculpting of body parts. Art therapy with children and their exercises are aimed at increasing performance, relieving tension, and developing creativity. The most relevant today are music therapy, dance and drama therapy, fairy tale therapy, etc.

Listening to music, playing various instruments, tapping and clapping in accordance with the rhythm of the melody - all this significantly increases children's performance, relieves stress, and promotes the development of artistic abilities. Drama therapy teaches communication, promotes the formation adequate self-esteem. Art therapy with children and dance therapy exercises are aimed at preventing neuroses and complexes.

Art therapy techniques

Modern art therapy has infinite set directions and techniques. Therefore, today it is quite easy to choose an individual art therapy method that will most fully reflect the state of the individual’s psyche, and, at the same time, will be well perceived by him.

There are two main methods of art therapy: passive and active.

The passive technique involves the client consuming creative works created by other individuals. For example, you can look at images, read works of art, listen to musical creations, etc. The active technique is based on the creation of creative products by the client independently, while the aesthetic value and beauty of their creations is not assessed.

Art therapy methods allow the psychotherapist to optimally combine individual approach to the patient and group forms of work. Art therapeutic techniques, as a rule, are present in all psychocorrection programs, complementing and enriching them.

Art therapeutic effects are based on the mechanism of sublimation, which consists in redirecting mental energy from a traumatic factor to an acceptable outlet - creativity. In other words, if the subject has accumulated anxious feelings, he can try to express them through creative activity and feel relief. This is the healing effect of art therapy. However, creating an image of what excites you is just the first step. The second step will be to transform the image in a positive direction. Simultaneously with the change in image, a transformation of the internal representation occurs, thanks to which the individual finds a way out of a previously seemingly hopeless situation.

Psychocorrectional classes using art therapeutic methods and techniques are especially effective when working with younger schoolchildren, since they do not tire children, they remain productive and active throughout the entire lesson.

Art therapy (from English “art-therapy”) literally means “treatment with art.” This is a rapidly gaining popularity complex of methods of healing and psychological correction with the help of art and creativity.

Unlike classes aimed at systematically teaching any art, art therapy classes are more spontaneous in nature and are aimed not at the result, but at the creative process. The state of free creativity provides emotional release, the opportunity for self-expression, and simply brings great pleasure to all participants in the process.

Art therapy was first used in the 40s of the twentieth century in the USA, to work with children taken from fascist camps during the Second World War. At that time, art therapy pursued primarily diagnostic goals. Currently, art therapy not only has not lost its relevance, but, on the contrary, has become developed and widespread, thanks to the corrective and therapeutic effect proven by the experience of generations. It is successfully used in adults and children, in methodological programs kindergartens include art therapy classes. Art therapy produces especially striking results for preschoolers and disabled children. The availability of methods and the absence of contraindications make it possible to engage in art therapy for people of all ages and with any health condition.

Objectives of art therapy:

• diagnosis of psychological problems;
• the least painful way to bring out suppressed thoughts and feelings;
• an adequate way out of aggression and other negative manifestations of a person from the point of view of society;
• increasing the effectiveness of psychotherapeutic treatment (art therapy as an auxiliary method);
• learning to concentrate on sensations and feelings;
• facilitating the establishment of social contacts;
• development of creative abilities;
• development of self-control;
• increasing self-esteem.

Art therapy methods

There are many types of art therapy based on working with different types arts: isotherapy (everything related to fine arts: drawing, painting, sculpting, etc.), color therapy, sand therapy, music therapy, bibliotherapy (working with words - writing fairy tales, poems, etc.), dance therapy, drama therapy and many others. Each type of art therapy has its own narrow techniques, which are mastered by specialists. In general, we can say that the methods of all types of art therapy are based on “switching” the activity of the cerebral hemispheres. Left hemisphere- this is a kind of censor, reason, consciousness, which sometimes does not allow sincere feelings to come out, suppressing them. The right hemisphere, which is activated during creative activity, triggers unconscious processes that open the way to the expression of genuine experiences. As a result of art therapy sessions, the hemispheres begin to work “harmoniously” together, and this work is aimed at recognizing and correcting internal, unconscious problems: fears, complexes, “clamps”, etc.

Art therapy in preschool age

In conclusion, we will introduce you to the most popular art therapy exercises for children preschool age. The main condition for children's art therapy exercises is the availability of funds, attractiveness, understandability and safety.

Art therapy for children - exercises