By: Tessa Carney
Art therapy is a technique rooted in the idea that creative expression can foster healing and well-being. Art relieves stress creatively and in a unique way. You can do art therapy by drawing or painting your emotions, putting together a journal, or a sculpture. There are many other ways to express your feelings through art.
Mr. Luna, a school physiologist here at Redwood, has provided some perspective on art therapy and what it is. He explains, “Students have been aided by the capacity of art making to restore healthy functioning and provide mastery amidst feelings of helplessness. Art therapy can also address issues by a student to use as an outlet to channel their anxiety and aggression into the art making process.”
There can be symbolic images generated to allow students to express their feelings and ideas regarding psychological conflicts and life experiences that are too emotionally loaded for verbal communication.”
He says how he has heard of it and has used it in a variety of ways with some students at Redwood. He has coloring books in his office and when students need it most they can come in and color to relieve their stress.
Art making can help us better our skills with making lots of little decisions that serve a bigger purpose or lead to a finished creation.
Ella Boyle, ’24 incorporates art into her life and says how she likes to draw in her free time to relieve stress, and explains how it is therapy for her. She likes to draw and sketch people. She is “very passionate about [her] drawings and continues to draw whenever [she] gets the chance,” she states.
Redwood High School has many creative aspects to it. 3D-art and studio art classes are offered as an elective. Mr. Harris, an art teacher here at Redwood explains how art “is a part of you, and is your way of looking at the world.”
He does art to relax himself and calm his mind. He explained how students love to come in and “take a break from reality and do some art.”
Bailey Burdick, ’24 loves art. She “makes sure everything she does is colorful around her, and makes sure her every day life is full of art,” she says.
Art is her way to express herself however she wants without anyone telling her what is wrong and what is right. Art therapy is used in more ways than you may think, and is a very beneficial creative option for people to express themselves.
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