Therapists can use a range of therapeutic techniques to guide the healing process in troubled teens. While talk therapy usually comes to mind, there are many other ways to promote healing and change. Mainly, these come in the form of experiential therapies, such as art therapy. In fact, people of all ages can experience the benefits of an art therapy program.
At Foothills at Red Oak Recovery, we’re committed to providing mental health and substance misuse treatment for teenage boys. Art therapy is one tool that we use to provide this treatment. To learn about the benefit of this treatment option or to learn about our other treatment options, please contact Foothills at Red Oak Recovery today at 866.300.5275. We have a teen therapy art program which may be able to help your son.
About Art Therapy
As a hybrid therapeutic approach, art therapy combines the disciplines of the creative process and psychology. It can involve all forms of art, including painting, drawing, photography, and sculpting. Rather than concentrate on talent and specific techniques, it encourages expression no matter the ability.
The goal of art therapy isn’t to create a profitable masterpiece. Instead, its purpose is to help people explore emotions, improve self-esteem, develop self-awareness and address unresolved emotional issues. The creative process can also improve concentration and communication and reduce feelings of isolation. Sometimes, though, therapists simply use art therapy as a form of meditation and relaxation.
For these reasons, the benefits of art therapy help people who face a variety of mental and behavioral health problems. Some examples include:
- Anxiety
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- Depression
- Disordered eating
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Relationship conflicts
- Substance use disorder
Although art therapy can benefit many people, including teens, it isn’t sufficient as a stand-alone treatment. It’s important for therapists to use it as a complement to individual therapy.
Benefits of Art Therapy
One of the biggest advantages of art therapy is that it allows people to release their emotions. Creating art gives them a safe, healthy outlet to express their feelings and let go of their fears.
In fact, many people struggle to express anger and sadness with words because these are complex emotions. In such cases, making art helps them get out their feelings. However, it’s essential that they’re honest with themselves by letting their emotions flow into their artwork. It doesn’t matter whether they’re “good” at.a specific style of art. We can provide art therapy through a range of options, such as:
- Drawing
- Painting
- Sculpture
- Carving
- Pottery
Similarly, art therapy can uncover feelings that people don’t even know they have. As a result, they discover unresolved issues that their subconscious may have suppressed. Also, creating art gives many people a sense of self-accomplishment that boosts their confidence and self-esteem.
Stress relief is another one of the top benefits of art therapy. Making art is a relaxing activity, physically and mentally. Because of that, it can reduce anxiety and improve emotional trauma and depression.
In addition, research shows that creating art promotes the release of dopamine. The brain releases this chemical in response to pleasurable activities. As a feel-good neurotransmitter, it makes people feel happier.
Find a Treatment Center With Art Therapy for Your Teen
At Foothills at Red Oak Recovery, we understand how beneficial that an art therapy program can be for troubled teens. If your teen has a hard time expressing emotions or dealing with conflicts, we can help. Some of the behavioral and mental treatment programs that we have include:
- Anxiety and depression treatments
- Trauma treatment
- Substance use disorder treatment
- Process addiction treatments
- Disordered eating treatment
Don’t stop talking with your teen because he or she has trouble expressing emotions. Let us provide the benefits of art therapy. Call us at 866.300.5275 for more information.
