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Cheeky
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What are the first topics cover in art therapy ?
I am thinking of going for psychology but I adore arts–SOS!
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3 answers
Dr H
Dr. H's Research
1464
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Australia
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Hey Cheeky!
Ah, alright so, First off, you’re not alone many and honestly lots of people feel torn between the analytical world of psychology and the creative world of art. But, So, here’s the cool thing: art therapy combines both, making it the perfect mix of the two! So since you are passionate in your arts and wnat to go into psychology weeeell it may be really a solid path! ✨ But then again it's your choices so make sure it's what you love to do, don't rush it just keep looking نه di am sure comefhing will click and if this is it then just go for it! 🙌
First topics you may cover in art therapy include:
1. Introduction to Art Therapy: This is where you’ll learn what art therapy is all about. You’ll explore how art can be used to help people express themselves and work through emotions, rather than focusing on the “perfect” art skills.
2. Basic Psychological Theories: You’ll dive into foundational psychology theories, especially those that connect to human behavior, mental health, and emotions. Understanding things like trauma, anxiety, and depression will be key.
3. Creative Expression and Process: You’ll start learning how different forms of art (drawing, painting, sculpture, etc.) can be used as tools for emotional expression and healing. It’s not about creating a masterpiece; it’s about the process.
4. Therapeutic Techniques: You’ll learn specific methods that art therapists use to guide clients, like drawing, painting, or other creative exercises that help them explore emotions or experiences they might find hard to talk about.
5. Ethics and Boundaries in Therapy: Art therapy involves working with people in vulnerable states, so you'll learn the ethical guidelines that keep everyone safe and respected in a therapy setting.
Why this could be your perfect path is because Art therapy lets you work with psychology while staying close to your passion for the arts. You’ll get to help people heal through creative expression and understand their emotions in a deep, personal way.
If you’re stuck between psychology and art, this might just be the dream combo to pursue!
Good luck, Cheeky! You’ve got this and I think this could be a good lead for you! ✨
Ah, alright so, First off, you’re not alone many and honestly lots of people feel torn between the analytical world of psychology and the creative world of art. But, So, here’s the cool thing: art therapy combines both, making it the perfect mix of the two! So since you are passionate in your arts and wnat to go into psychology weeeell it may be really a solid path! ✨ But then again it's your choices so make sure it's what you love to do, don't rush it just keep looking نه di am sure comefhing will click and if this is it then just go for it! 🙌
First topics you may cover in art therapy include:
1. Introduction to Art Therapy: This is where you’ll learn what art therapy is all about. You’ll explore how art can be used to help people express themselves and work through emotions, rather than focusing on the “perfect” art skills.
2. Basic Psychological Theories: You’ll dive into foundational psychology theories, especially those that connect to human behavior, mental health, and emotions. Understanding things like trauma, anxiety, and depression will be key.
3. Creative Expression and Process: You’ll start learning how different forms of art (drawing, painting, sculpture, etc.) can be used as tools for emotional expression and healing. It’s not about creating a masterpiece; it’s about the process.
4. Therapeutic Techniques: You’ll learn specific methods that art therapists use to guide clients, like drawing, painting, or other creative exercises that help them explore emotions or experiences they might find hard to talk about.
5. Ethics and Boundaries in Therapy: Art therapy involves working with people in vulnerable states, so you'll learn the ethical guidelines that keep everyone safe and respected in a therapy setting.
Why this could be your perfect path is because Art therapy lets you work with psychology while staying close to your passion for the arts. You’ll get to help people heal through creative expression and understand their emotions in a deep, personal way.
If you’re stuck between psychology and art, this might just be the dream combo to pursue!
Good luck, Cheeky! You’ve got this and I think this could be a good lead for you! ✨
Annah Edmonds
Licensed Clinical Counselor and Art Therapist
221
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Annah’s Answer
Cheeky, Dr. H covered the basics. In my program, I spent the first year entirely immersed in art therapy. Some courses will involve in-class art making, you will learn art therapy measures of testing, and have a lot of homework including process art in response to readings, personal experience, etc. As a therapist in training, you will be utilizing and learning from your own life- your family of origin, expanding your personal insight and learning to recognize and work with transference within a therapeutic context. You will learn the history of art therapy- a young field that continues to gain greater significance. You will learn about the ethics of working with art in therapy; this will include how to preserve the work, when to include images in the clinical record, issues of confidentiality, how to choose art materials, and more. Other courses may focus on group art therapy, family art therapy, culture/diversity considerations, social justice work, psychodiagnostics, and research. If you attend a school that offers a dual degree in clinical counseling with art therapy, you will also take additional coursework such as family systems, career counseling, specialty techniques- like ACT, CBT, DBT, depth psychology. The coursework you take will depend on the licensure outcome- for instance marriage and family counselor (MFT) or child family counselor (CFT). Some schools teach from a specific theoretical lens while others are more eclectic and do not require students to choose their theoretical leanings (prior to graduation). For this reason, it is useful to know whether you have a particular interest in something- like depth psychology or Existential-Phenomenological theory for instance. If you have no idea what I'm talking about take a deep breath and know it is okay. You will figure it all out, in time. Sometimes it takes time; and establishing your therapist self is its own process!
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1210
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hello Cheeky,
Art therapy beautifully blends psychology and creative expression, and I think you’re in the perfect spot to explore it. If you decide to go down this path, the first topics you’ll cover in art therapy usually focus on the foundations of both psychology and art as a healing tool.
You'll likely start with introductory psychology courses, learning about human behavior, emotions, and mental health conditions. At the same time, you’ll explore theories of art therapy, understanding how different artistic methods can help people express emotions that might be difficult to put into words.
A big part of early art therapy studies is also understanding different mediums, painting, drawing, sculpting, or even digital art, and how they affect emotions and cognitive processes. You might also study case studies showing how art therapy has been used in different settings, like hospitals, schools, or mental health clinics.
Later on, you'll dive into topics like developmental psychology, trauma therapy, and counseling techniques, all while continuing to explore art as a form of communication and healing. Some programs also encourage hands-on experience through internships or workshops, which can be a great way to see if it’s truly the right fit for you.
If you’re torn between psychology and art, art therapy could be the perfect balance of both! You don’t have to give up your love for creativity, in fact, it might become a powerful tool in your future career.
Best wishes!
Art therapy beautifully blends psychology and creative expression, and I think you’re in the perfect spot to explore it. If you decide to go down this path, the first topics you’ll cover in art therapy usually focus on the foundations of both psychology and art as a healing tool.
You'll likely start with introductory psychology courses, learning about human behavior, emotions, and mental health conditions. At the same time, you’ll explore theories of art therapy, understanding how different artistic methods can help people express emotions that might be difficult to put into words.
A big part of early art therapy studies is also understanding different mediums, painting, drawing, sculpting, or even digital art, and how they affect emotions and cognitive processes. You might also study case studies showing how art therapy has been used in different settings, like hospitals, schools, or mental health clinics.
Later on, you'll dive into topics like developmental psychology, trauma therapy, and counseling techniques, all while continuing to explore art as a form of communication and healing. Some programs also encourage hands-on experience through internships or workshops, which can be a great way to see if it’s truly the right fit for you.
If you’re torn between psychology and art, art therapy could be the perfect balance of both! You don’t have to give up your love for creativity, in fact, it might become a powerful tool in your future career.
Best wishes!