Art therapy

WHAT IS ART THERAPY?

Art Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses art media as its primary mode of communication. It is a form of psychotherapy which has been well established in other countries, especially the United Kingdom (England) since the 1940’s. It is still relatively new in South Africa. Art Therapy is a diverse profession and it is important to ensure that those who practice it are maintaining the standards that we as a professional body uphold. Art Therapists, along with Drama and Music Therapists need to register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and the Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF) in order to practice.

Clients who are referred to an art therapist need not have previous experience or skill in art; the art therapist is not primarily concerned with making an aesthetic or diagnostic assessment of the client's image. The overall aim of its practitioners is to enable a client to effect change and growth on a personal level through the use of art materials in a safe and facilitating environment.

The relationship between the therapist and the client is of central importance, but art therapy differs from other psychological therapies in that it is a three way process between the client, the therapist and the image or artefact. Thus it offers the opportunity for expression and communication and can be particularly helpful to people who find it hard to express their thoughts and feelings verbally.


Art therapists have a considerable understanding of art processes underpinned by a sound knowledge of therapeutic practice, and work with both individuals and groups in a variety of residential and community based settings, for example: adult mental health, learning disabilities, child and family centres, palliative care and the prison service.
 

The art therapist's work is sometimes challenging and calls for skill and sensitivity; it follows that those who wish to pursue a career in art therapy should be mature, flexible people. 'The training course, which combines theoretical and experiential work, is a Masters Degree to be completed over two years full time or three years part time. Applicants must have a first degree in art, although other graduates are sometimes considered, and some proper experience of working in an area of health, education or social care.
 

Why is it effective in the South African context?

Because art is so closely aligned to play, it is an effective intervention with children. Art-making is largely able to transcend language and cultural barriers, so it is particularly appropriate in the South African context.

More specifically, Art therapy is a very effective form of psychotherapy used with survivors of trauma. It allows for the externalisation, in manageable “bits” of the traumatic material – and this happens in as non-verbal way, which is less threatening for most people, especially children.

For Art Therapy to be an effective intervention, children need to be provided with a safe and supportive space (as much as is possible when working with communities who are both marginalised and traumatised), where they are encouraged to think about and explore their individual stories / realities. This can take place on a one-to-one basis, but it is also very effective in a group situation. Sometimes working in a group is less stressful for children, as it "dilutes" the therapeutic aliance, making for a less intense experience, which may otherwise be too anxiety provoking. When working with younger children, where the emphasis is on play and self-expression, we work with small groups of up to 4 children.

While the focus is on the non-verbal expression and exploration of psychic material, the narrative is encouraged and recorded when appropriate. This is always read back to children, and they will then have the opportunity to update or change any of "their story" at a later date.

When children are unable to draw or paint themselves, they are encouraged to use the therapist as a vehicle, instructing them what to draw or paint on their behalf. In this way the narrative is also encouraged. This has proved to be a powerful way of working with children who are helpless to engage in activities using their hands (either because of illness or injury).

The “Art Therapy team” is made up of Angela Rackstraw, who was a paediatric nursing sister and has an MA in Art Psychotherapy, Zanele Banisa, who is a trained Counsellor and has worked alongside Angela as her assistant for twelve years, and occasionally art therapy interns from Europe or the USA who have been screened and are supervised regularly.