Would you consider art, dance, or even music as a form of therapy? You might associate these activities with at-home therapeutic solutions for the occasional stress-relief. However, did you know that you can become an expert in these forms of therapy? Categorized as a psychotherapy, therapists use creative therapy for a variety of conditions. This includes everything from self-expression to cognitive issues such as autism or stroke. There are a variety of artistic forms of creative therapy that you can become involved in. Learn about the benefits of creative therapy and how you can start your career today!
Benefits of Creative Therapy: Allied Travel Careers
Music Therapy
Music therapy highlights the use of music in rehabilitating those suffering from emotional, cognitive, and social problems. Therapists use music for patients ranging from various conditions and age groups. It is commonly used for people with mental illnesses, stress, and degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease. Music therapy is also perfect for helping people who are on the Autism spectrum. Specifically, music therapists help develop their patient’s communication skills through a series of activities.
Aside from this, music therapy is heavily focused on working towards relieving patients of stress and anxieties. For this reason, benefits of creative therapy such as music therapy also include serving as a stress-relief for those suffering from mental health illnesses.
Art Therapy
Art therapy is used to treat those suffering from behavioral and psychological issues such as mental health, autism, and social skills. This is because it focuses on enabling patients to engage in self-expression, which in turn leads to lower stress levels, higher self-esteem, and interpersonal communication skills. In particular, this form of creative therapy emphasizes emotional expression and self-awareness. In fact, therapists use art therapy for treating people who are suffering from traumatic experiences. People of all ages can benefit from art therapy because it engages in psychotherapy, which focuses on psychological treatments.
Art therapists study both art and psychology, making them knowledgeable in understanding human behavior and capable of suggesting theories to counsel their patients. They use art therapy as an additional therapeutic activity alongside a patient’s main form of therapy counseling. Because one of the main benefits of art therapy is self-expression, art therapy helps patients uncover their comfortability and willingness to participate in their main type of therapy sessions. As an art therapist, your job will consist of helping your patients analyze and interpret their artwork.
Dance/Movement Therapy
Dance and movement therapies focus on the idea that there is a connection between both the body and the mind. This highlights its connection to a person’s overall health. Dance therapists focus on utilizing movements to engage in expressive behaviors. Serving as a form of psychotherapy, dance and movement therapies incorporate both cognitive and physical activities into its exercises. Benefits of creative therapy such as dance and movement therapies range from improving motor skills to serving as a stress-reliever and increasing self-esteem. Dance therapy focuses on creating safe spaces for individuals to engage in activities that promote their well-being. Aside from these benefits, dance and movement therapies also enable patients to express themselves.
Do you have a passion for art, music, or dance? If you are interested in rehabilitation, then consider starting a career as a creative therapist! There are many benefits of creative therapy and this diverse occupation will allow you to work with people of all demographics!
