What Does Art Therapy Do? An Austin, TX Art Therapist Answers
What happens when a client decides to enlist the support of an art therapist to help them overcome anxiety, depression, and a host of other mental health issues? Well, the two of them work together to get to the finish line, which is graduation from art therapy!
It’s not that much different from talk therapy, though the route they take is not the same.
Art Therapy in Austin, TX is Based on Standards
Art therapy is a regulated mental health profession with a legally defensible scope of practice and master’s-level educational standards. That means art therapists have to meet these standards and stay within their scope of practice.
Art Therapy is a Specialty Designation in Texas
I wrote an article to help you understand how the State of Texas defines art therapy in Austin, TX, at least as a recognized specialty designation within counseling licensure. Current law requires professionals to have a counseling license with an art therapy specialty designation in order to use the title “art therapist”, but hopefully that will change one day when art therapists get their own license in Texas and don’t have to route through the state counseling board.
Art Therapy Does More Than Talk Therapy + Art
Anyway, that’s the skinny on how to tell if an art therapist is legit in the eyes of the law. You want to work with an art therapist who’s legit, as a well-intentioned talk therapist who’s adding art experiences to their mix is not legit.
There’s no telling what they think they’re doing in the name of Austin, TX art therapy beyond helping people “express” themselves.
Art Therapy Uses Different Approaches to Address Different Treatment Issues
An art therapist who’s legit has the education and training to know that “expressing” is far from the only thing that should be going on in art therapy. Look for someone who is going to be able to describe the specifics of how they would use art therapy to address your particular treatment issues and concerns.
A few examples of treatment goals for art therapy in Austin, TX would be
regulating your energy and tension levels
developing skills in self-soothing, focusing, and concentrating
figuring out emotional containment and boundaries
improving your mood and motivation
strengthening problem-solving and decision-making skills
trusting your insight and intuition
What Can Art Therapy Do for You?
I’ve written a few articles you might be interested in as you contemplate what art therapy can do for YOU. Check these out:
Art Therapy Is a Viable Form of Assessment and Treatment
I hope these articles give you enough information to help you understand that art therapy is a viable form of assessment and treatment for anxiety, treatment for depression, and treatment for other issues that stand between you and your pursuit of happiness in life!
Art Therapy in Austin, TX is Individualized
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach in art therapy; all art therapists are trained to use materials and methods in a way that respects your uniqueness as an individual. I operate within an assessment and treatment framework called the Expressive Therapies Continuum, which means that I’ve been trained to see how your verbal and artistic output reflects nervous system activity so I can make responsive adjustments accordingly as we work toward integrating your internal experience with inputs from your external world.
Finding balance between the inner and the outer is an overarching goal for clients who work with me. And everyone’s path in art therapy is different.
Create a Better Outcome for Yourself with Art Therapy in Austin, TX
Are you looking for an art therapist to help you create a better outcome in life? Contact me for a free 15-minute phone consultation to learn more about how I would approach your unique situation and preferences.
Create a Relationship with Life That Feels Right
You want to find the best art therapist in Austin, TX for you, so let’s see if we’re a good fit! I offer online art therapy services to adults in Texas, Indiana, and Arizona, supporting people as they create a relationship with life that feels right.
I’d love to help YOU create that relationship too!