[DP_2017]

My therapist suggested this today, giving me the option of coloring, drawing or sculpting, he thinks it will be helpful to me because I struggle to much to allow myself to feel painful emotions.

I am wondering if anyone else has done this, has it helped it all? How exactly does art help with expressing emotions?

[Sarah1985]

yes, I love doing art in therapy! It really helps me open up more and express myself

[velcro003]

my last T and current T both tried it once, because i have such a hard time talking...and both times it failed, lol. i actualy like art, which is why they've tried it...but just like when i try to talk about anythign difficult, my mind goes blank...same with an effing crayon and a piece of paper.

yes and it is hefpful. i have alters who cant talk but can express themselves in drawing, collages, and pictures.

[kecanoe]

I have colored and have drawn things in session: it has been helpful most of the time.

How? I would say that having mind and hands busy sometimes makes it easier to say stuff. Sometimes I can draw something that is hard to say (I am not a talented artist, I use stick figures and labels). For example, I have done a picture of different parts and used that to show their different feelings/thoughts/relationships. I have drawn a safe place and that has made it easier to "go" there. One time I did a collage by just starting with a picture that represented my relationship with my mom, then continued to look for pictures that felt right and I ended up with some feelings of resolve.

One time T had me fold a piece of paper in four. On the first section, draw how I currently felt, on the last section draw how I wanted it to be. And then on the middle two draw something in between the two. That exercise helped me see that making a little progress was actually moving toward where I wanted to be and eased up my pressure on myself to be at the end stage.

I do this occasionally. I find it helpful to have my hands preoccupied and being able to focus on something while I talk. Sometimes I color, sometimes I draw, and sometimes i just fold paper into boats or airplanes.

[bobcat21]

My cbt suggested this but but with my school and my work schedule I never had time. I hope when things slow down I can get back to cbt and do art therapy. It really sounds like it would help.

[seeker33]

I sometimes draw pictures of traumatic events and I find it very helpful in processing.

[88Butterfly88]

I've done art therapy and have found it helpful.

[junkDNA]

Yes we've colored together. I've colored by myself and t doodles on a paper. He usually draws Math type things . Like formulas?? It's weird.

I do find it's easier to talk when I'm distracted with coloring. T noted early on that I had an easier time talking when he would be working on his computer. I would go sit in his office [not a session] and talk more freely than in an actual session. I started coloring after that it helped a lot

[Carmina]

I see an art therapist, it is very powerful

[skeksi]

Art had helped me a lot. For a while when I couldn’t talk in session, I would draw. T was clear that I could choose to share it with him, or not, and often I did not! But it helped me find a way to show my feelings sometimes. It also led to me doing more art at home to express myself, which I sometimes bring in to share with T.

[DP_2017]

Thanks for all the feedback, interesting. I'm anxious to see how it works for me. I told him coloring is what I prefer but he also mentioned drawing or sculpting.

[velcro003]

Originally Posted by Carmina

I see an art therapist, it is very powerful

ooooh i am so interested in this even though i don't think i could actually do art therapy. care to expound a bit more on it?

[tomatenoir]

Art and creativity has been the most healing aspect of my therapy. It gives me a sense of control and a sense of power--I am literally creating something out of nothing. Putting my run-amok, knock-the-wind-out-of-me feelings into a form that is complete and finished has been powerful. I've made pictures, done a sand tray, done role plays, and written poetry. I only share about half of what I make with my therapist.

I think everyone should try it! Best part is you don't need a therapist to do any of it.

[DP_2017]

Originally Posted by tomatenoir

Art and creativity has been the most healing aspect of my therapy. It gives me a sense of control and a sense of power--I am literally creating something out of nothing. Putting my run-amok, knock-the-wind-out-of-me feelings into a form that is complete and finished has been powerful. I've made pictures, done a sand tray, done role plays, and written poetry. I only share about half of what I make with my therapist.

I think everyone should try it! Best part is you don't need a therapist to do any of it.

I do this sort of stuff for fun on my own so yep... no T needed but for this specific idea it's for in session.

Um, can we ask what is the nature of your mental illness? I ask because it is thought that those with bipolar for example have a creative streak within them. In fact many mental illnesses go hand in hand with the ability to create. It could be the visual arts, it could be the performing. Heck, even cooking is an art form. Perhaps you already fall into this category and merely need an outlet. Many struggling find being creative highly therapeutic. Go ahead and dive in.

[DP_2017]

Originally Posted by justafriend306

Um, can we ask what is the nature of your mental illness? I ask because it is thought that those with bipolar for example have a creative streak within them. In fact many mental illnesses go hand in hand with the ability to create. It could be the visual arts, it could be the performing. Heck, even cooking is an art form. Perhaps you already fall into this category and merely need an outlet. Many struggling find being creative highly therapeutic. Go ahead and dive in.

Just anxiety... but childhood emotional neglect has made emotions very difficult for me to express, I mostly always shut down if I feel anything painful.

[Carmina]

Originally Posted by velcro003

ooooh i am so interested in this even though i don't think i could actually do art therapy. care to expound a bit more on it?

Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on creative self expression to explore and work through issues. I can use painting, poetry, even dance and music if I need. I think for things like CPTSD/Developmental trauma where so much is on a pre conscious non verbal/non declarative level the only way to really get to grips with issues is through the body, verbal talk only skims over the surface and I find too often gets in the way or forces things into either/or categories, painting and creativity are essentially a way the body 'talks' that goes beyond verbal language and verbal thinking.