Click here to browse . From sketches of cave bears to children's drawings on a refrigerator, art has always been an integral part of humanity. Drawing on dance, drama, and photography as well as writing and the visual arts, art therapy provides an outlet for our inner thoughts and feelings while giving us a sense of control over our surroundings.
Art focuses our attention on the present.
A person can hardly worry about the future when she's dancing or contemplating a brush stroke. Not surprisingly, hospitals, out-patient clinics, nursing homes, and pain centers across the country offer art therapy as part of their treatments. A trained therapist work with a patient to find the art form that best suits his or her interests, abilities, and needs. Creating art has value for everyone. But those with serious illnesses have often found that art allows them to express themselves in non-verbal ways, which are often a release for strong emotions that they can't put into words.