Does your child respond more to creativity then to traditional talking?
Is your child a visual learner?
Does your child like to use their hands?
Have you tried traditional talk therapy, and found it to be ineffective with your child?
It might be a good time to look into creative art therapy for your child or children.
But how do you know that creative art therapy could help to reduce your child’s depression… especially if you have not tried it before?
Many people are artistically inclined without even realizing it.
Some people respond well to music and dance, while others respond better to putting things together and taking them apart with their hands.
Some people might express themselves by dressing differently, while others are more interested in toys like Play-Doh and or colored pencils that require them to use their creative imagination.
Creative art therapists use creative arts as a means of expression, in an effort to reduce depression. For the critique and the one appreciating the work of art, it can also be a cathartic experience.
Creative arts are products of imagination. For many people, creative arts provide outlet for emotions – positive and negative.
In other words, there is no right or wrong way to engage in creative art therapy. This is likely going to be beneficial to most children, as they are used to traditional, more judgemental ways of processing and understanding information. In creative art therapy, the child is permitted to both create the work and judge it, without having to deal with the pressure of outside judgment. Oftentimes, through the work of creative arts, children become inspired by their own ability to create new things, as it has a positive influence on their self-esteem. This helps reduce their symptoms of depression.
Look at it like this…
Depression is like a dark tunnel sucking its victim deeper into the darkness till they get lost in its maze. Creative arts provide outlets to shine its bright and beautiful light into that deep dark tunnel, helping children to alleviate their symptoms of depression.
There are various creative arts through which one can find expression, escape and pleasure.
➢ Painting/Sketching/Drawing – the artist can lose herself during the creative process, forgetting the tribulations surrounding her in that world of creativity. The art work can be an object of purgation for the creator as her work becomes the recipient of that anger, frustration and even love gone awry. The admirer of the creative art can relate to the emotions behind the work or interpret it to suit his own emotions. For both parties, their depression is left behind and focus is on the art.
➢ Music – that food of the soul is maybe the commonest means of using creative arts to reduce depression. In those darkest moments, in the face of that challenging life situation when everything seems hopeless, music can be a panacea. Like a soothing balm, its calming power keeps the blues away, brings hope, inspiration and joy. Playing musical instruments, conducting music, dancing or just listening to music offers an exhilarating experience to mankind, powerful enough to keep depression at bay and replace it with hopeful thoughts.
➢ Handiworks like crafting, knitting, or crocheting. These are all creative forms of expression that can have calming effects on the creative mind and brain. As the mind and hands engage in the creation of the piece, the focus is on the creation, leaving little or no room for depression.
➢ Photography – it has many facets and the objects to be captured are endless. In pursuing this art/hobby, one can derive immense pleasure in capturing the beauty and ugliness of life, pleasure in bringing rare moments and expressions to others. To the admirer of the photograph, there is pleasure and happiness derived from it.
➢ Writing – for me, this is the mother of all creative arts. It allows one to bring out those deepest and darkest secrets stuck in the deepest recesses of the mind. As the words take on life, the writer finds potent means of expression and purgation. One needs not be a pro to find expression via writing. It could be through writing journals, stories, posts or even books. The reader finds an escape route and inspiration through the written words.
As you purge your emotions through creative arts, you are giving depression lesser room to operate. You need not create for an audience; create for you and have fun while at it! A hobby is always a great place to start.
In conclusion, the creative arts are an amazing way to express oneself, in effort to decrease feelings of depression. If you’re looking for a way to frequently and consistently work on your depression through, please contact us for a free consultation Tech Talk Therapy.
CALL today at 844 MY TECH TALK THERAPY
