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Art therapy

Art therapy is the use of the creative art-making processes in life-enhancing,

healing, and non-verbal communications of thoughts and feelings. It is based on

assumption that early development conflict could not be approached through normal

verbal communication whereas it is stored somewhere in unconsciousness in pre-

verbal forms (Nguyen, 2015). To access these pre-verbal forms, there is a need for the

formation of a therapeutic relationship through which the therapist could join with the

pre-verbal consciousness of the person. The art therapist chooses the relevant art

procedures to reflect the relational state and emotion of the client hence nurture the

symbolic and metaphoric languages that help in re-forming the personal narrative of

the client.

Characteristics of art therapy

The researches have shown that art therapy has been an effective tool in the

promotion of emotional and cognitive development that further reduces the

destructive attitude in certain children and adults. There are certain characteristics of

art therapy that specify it.

Non-verbal communication

First is the non-verbal communication. It is a basic form of communication that is

used in the first year of life. Feelings and thoughts are not in verbal states and are not

stored in the brain, art therapy helps the individual to express their thoughts that might

not be ready in to be available through words. For some people, artistic modality is

more convenient then verbalization for conveying a story or a memory. If all words

and meaning could easily be conveyed by words, then there would be no existence of

art. Our internal message is transferred more authentically than a verbal meaning.

Langer (1942) mentioned that art is used to convey feelings to others whereas it could
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be used to represent internal feelings in a more structuralized way. In cases where

writing or talking is not effective or conducive to healing, art therapy applying

creative expression becomes very effective (Langer, 1957). A disabled person or a

child might not have enough words for vocabulary to speak properly. Similarly, a

crime victim could search for security in using creative expression as a way to protect

oneself. When a therapist works with a client through art therapy, he enters into a

spontaneous and organic process that originates from a non-verbal and deep place that

allows both therapist and client to listen and respond to the voice of the soul (Langer,

1957).

Use of metaphors

Symbolization and feelings are interconnected as feelings without symbolization

are blind whereas symbolization is empty without feelings. All sort of artwork is a

metaphoric depiction of the people who create them. To go beyond the linear

rationality, metaphoric imagery can give a therapist and clint a psychological insight

(Richlin, 2005). Many therapists suggest their clients write stories or poems about the

images. Through artwork, the clients are allowed to express metaphor, symbolism ad

feelings with freedom of dream. By using the material to create art like images and

relating the to body states and feelings originates an open emotion that is just vaguely

sensed before. Hence it elaborates on the feelings and thoughts (Richlin, 2005).

Relationship oriented

By nature, the human is a social animal. To develop and survive he depends upon

other relationships. Therapists have often noted the complaints o feeling disconnected

and alienated from their families. In art therapy, struggles have been made to express

through art a complement for self-expression of an individual for any of its

relationships he or she has problems with. The therapist works with the defenses of
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the client and helps him in the gradual digestion of emotions that impact symbolic

communication until a real awareness is raised about the manifestation of what is

going in a relationship (Robbins, 2000). In such communications, an empathic contact

is developed that acts as a bipolar bridge that understands the issue along with

respecting the boundaries (Robbins, 2000).

Art and cultural connection

Many scholars agree that to study contemporary artwork, identity could be used

as a rich subject. They have highlighted that art could act as a bridge between the

investigation of cultural identity and the connection of civilization. It has been argued

that art could act as a visibility source for culture as feelings and ideas are express

through artwork creation (Al-Yahyai, 2017a). Moreover, it also helps in the

identification of other cultures that are connected. Used of art as a form of therapy is

named as art therapy that has been in trend in Oman. Certain techniques are used for

art therapy the most common of which are dance and movement, art and painting,

creative writing, and storytelling. In art therapy, different mediums are used like art

media, the creative response of respective patients, and images for the development of

personality, interests, abilities, and concerns (Al-Yahyai, 2017a). Music therapy helps

in the creation of a positive effect on the physical, psychological, social, and cognitive

functioning of a person that has either educational related or health related problems.

Drama therapy is used for achieving therapeutic goals of emotional, physical, and

relief integration and personal growth. Whereas dance therapy is based on the

assumption that the mind and body of a person are interconnected and are defined as

movement processes of cognitive, emotional, and physical integration of the person

(Baysden, 2002). Whereas writing is used for personal growth and healing process.

Art therapy works on the assumption that the use of imagination could be used for the
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healing process that leads a person to blend its passion with the skills of counseling.

When a therapist has been able to include these capacities from clients, he/she can

increase authentic and effective communication from clients (Baysden, 2002).

History of art therapy in Oman

In Oman, art therapy was not much familiar until 2013 when Raluca Oprescu

arrived in Oman. She was a management graduate who has been undergone a strong

personal development before becoming an official supporter of this therapy (“Art

Therapy Becomes Popular in Oman,” 2016). She conducted therapy sessions in a

different part of the sultanate that helped the people in different sectors of life to

improve their emotions, and improvement of quality of inner life. This therapy has

been famous in many countries of Europe, Canada, the united states, and Australia.

She mentioned that art therapy uses creativity as a platform and enhances the level of

personal awareness. It helps the body in understanding what is happening in their

bodies (“Art Therapy Becomes Popular in Oman,” 2016).

According to Oprescu, if a person has a disease in one part of the body then its

means that other parts of the body are also not working well as all part of the body are

connected (“Art Therapy Becomes Popular in Oman,” 2016).

An interesting aspect of art therapy is that people involved in it need not be an

artist or have an artist taste. While introducing art therapy in Oman, Oprescu

mentioned that he discovered her art after being involved in art therapy. Art therapy

places a mirror in front of you and if you discover something within you than you can

be an artist but it does not happen more often. But it is not a real purpose of art

therapy. Its main target is to give a path to access the self-development (“Art Therapy

Becomes Popular in Oman,” 2016).

Art therapy and globalization

Halverson (2010) has revealed that there has been a connection between the

artwork and the development of young people. There has been a lot of changes in the

middle east as an effect of globalization. Here the artists have used their art as a

therapy for identification of their culture. Many researchers from different fields tried

various approaches to conserving cultural identity through art. Many artists started

digging back to their roots of cultures and identity related to it that focused on

aesthetic and artistic values. In art therapies and work, there has been a strong

presence of identities of Omani culture. They use the art of construction, like

architecture, to exploit the physical heritage of their country. Oman has been rich in

its heritage that is what artists took advantage of. Some artist has worked on ideas,

etiquettes, folklore, beliefs, and proverbs of the country.

Here the painting and other art forms are used for heritage and cultural identity

that omanians wanted to preserve. Their paintings have been followed by unity

whereas lines of paintings lead the eye from one part of detail to another. The artists

used their paintings as a source of time travel within the frames of colors (Najjar,

2005).

Art therapy and education

Art therapy is not limited to people of any specific profession or any specific age but

people from almost all sectors could avail of its opportunities. It has a special
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influence on the education sector. In education, counseling has always been an

important part of a student’s life. To make the counseling process more effective it is

important to take into consideration the preferences of the client while planning for

counseling modules (Simon, Elizabeth, Mafiana, & Ghailani, 2018). There have been

special importance of art therapy in normal counseling sessions. College education

has always been a stressful work for the majority of students. Studies have revealed

that many students have been reluctant about typical psychological counseling. The

compelling benefits could be gained by adding the art therapy in traditional

counseling. Improved outcomes have been observed when client preferences have

been addressed and accommodated. Another study has revealed that art intervention

could be a viable form of stress reduction among the students of the college. With the

addition of art therapy, there is the expectation of more effective counseling modules

and it would also encourage the counseling skill of the counselor. A research

conducted on erstwhile Oman Medical College shown that there is a significant

influence of expressive therapy. 39% of students said that expressive therapy should

be included in the psychotherapeutic process (Simon, Elizabeth, Mafiana, & Ghailani,

2018).

79% of students agreed art therapy would be influential in dealing with their

emotional problems. 39% of participants voted for creative writing to be included,

27% were inclined toward story-telling, and 21% favored painting and art. In both

clinical and healthy populations, writing therapy has been proved effective. It is

considered as one of the most effective and easier methods of expressing the

emotional problems of someone. 58% of students that they will go for expressive art

therapy if they take therapy sessions ever. Students were more open to getting the

therapy and were convinced by its effectiveness. While using art therapy, they
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considered using specific art therapy techniques. The top-rated specific art techniques

were creative writing and storytelling (Simon, Elizabeth, Mafiana, & Ghailani, 2018).

It is obvious that different students choose different art techniques to pursue and a

therapist should consider the preferences of students while providing them art therapy

sessions. It will bring better outcomes and results for students and help him/her in

personal and emotional development and growth.

My role as a teacher

If I would be a teacher and have to deal with art therapy in school, I would make

sure that proper and accurate therapy facilities are available in school and students to

have easy access to the therapist without any hesitation. I would tell my students the

importance of art therapy and its role in the life of students that how sometimes

students can not find enough and right words to tell what they have been suffering

accurately. In this situation, their art of any form could help the therapist to diagnose

their issues and prescribe a proper treatment.

I would understand the importance and value of art therapy and its influence on

the life of a student in academic as well as personal and social life. with the help of

higher management, I would have a proper setup of counseling and therapy related to
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art for students. Not only this, I would have a direct connection with the therapist for

the consultation of situations and problems of various students. It would help me to

understand what is going on in the life of a particular student and how he/she needs to

be handled and treated in class. Not only this, I would recommend therapists with

students I would feel need an art therapy.

Conclusion

Art therapy is a recently introduced field but it has proved its significance in that

short period. In every department of life, and regarding each perspective of one’s life,

that is students, citizens, religion, relationships, and personal level, art therapy is

useful in digging the issues and problems a person has been suffering. There has been

seen a significant effect on the life of students who have availed art therapists help.

References

Al-Yahyai, F. K. N. (2017). The Significance of Omani Identity in the Works of

Omani Painters. Journal of Arts and Humanities, 6(01), 21.

https://doi.org/10.18533/journal.v6i01.1070

Art Therapy Becomes Popular in Oman. (2016, June 15). Retrieved October 9,

2020, from Times of Oman website: https://timesofoman.com/article/art-

therapy-becomes-popular-in-oman

Baysden, M. F. (2002). International and United States citizen student adaptation

to college, opinions about mental illness, and attitudes toward seeking

professional counseling help. Shareok.Org. Retrieved from

https://shareok.org/handle/11244/46777

Halverson, E. (2010). Artistic production processes as venues for positive youth

development. Retrieved from http://www.wcer.wisc.edu/publication/working

papers/papers.php
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Langer, S. K. (1957). Philosophy in a new key : a study in the symbolism of reason,

rite, and art. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.

Najjar, F. (2005). The Arabs, Islam And Globalization | Middle East Policy

Nguyen, M. (2015). Art Therapy – A Review of Methodology. Dubna

Psychological Journal. https://doi.org/2076-7099

Richlin, M. (2005). Affect Regulation and The Repair of the Self. The Permanente

Journal, 9(2). https://doi.org/10.7812/tpp/04-106

Robbins, A. (2000). The artist as therapist. Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Simon, M. A., Elizabeth, S., Mafiana, N., & Ghailani, A. A. (2018). Addressing

Psychological Challenges: Attitude of Medical Students in Oman. IAFOR

/doi.org/10.22492/ijpbs.4.2.05