| ~Art Therapy and Pet Therapy~ |
What is Art Therapy?
Art Therapy is a human service profession. Art therapy offers
an opportunity to explore personal problems and potentials
through verbal and nonverbal expression and to develop physical, emotional and/or learning skills through therapeutic art experiences.
Art Therapists work in primary and adjunctive capacities with
people of all ages in clinical, educational and rehabilitative
settings. Through observation and analysis of art behaviors, art products, and the client's communications, the art therapist formulates diagnostic assessments and treatment plans as part of
a total therapy program. An art therapist may focus on growth
experiences, rehabilitation, prescriptive treatment, remediation,
adaptation, and/or personality enhancement. Art therapists
work in a variety of settings and may provide any or all of the
following: evaluation, development of patient treatment plans,
goals and objectives, case management services, and
therapeutic treatment. Art therapists also maintain appropriate
charting, records and periodic reports on client progress as
required, participate in professional staff meetings and provide
information and consultation regarding the client's progress in
the art therapy setting.
The art therapist responds to both the strengths and needs of
the client and integrates personal training and experience in art
and therapy with theories of human behavior, with a knowledge
of visual symbol production, with an understanding of normal
and abnormal behavior, and integral members of a t herapeutic
team while others serve as consultants or conduct private
practices.
How Art Therapy Works
By providing a safe and non-threatening environment, the art therapist invites the individual to express their feelings through a variety of art media. Emphsis is placed on the individual who is encouraged to empower him/herself through the self-exploration and self-interpretation of their own art. The artwork can be spontaneous but may also be directed by the Art
Therapist. Through the art process, individuals can often approach difficult issues and convey a message much clearer and safer than with words. The art product serves as a record of these events which the individual can later reflect on and eventually understand with greater clarity.
Art Therapy Can Help
Using simple art materials the Art Therapist helps individuals:
express feelings too difficult to talk about
increase self esteem and confidence
develop healthy coping skills
identify feelings & blocks to emotional expression & growth
provide an avenue for communication
make verbal expression more accessible.
Who Benefits From Art Therapy?
Art Therapy is for people of all ages, children, adolescents and adults who are seeking personal growth or may be struggling with experiences:
AIDS /HIV
cancer patients
trauma victims
Self Abuse victims
separation & loss
bereavement
addictions
learning disabilities, ADHD & ADD
emotional, and / or physical challenges
menal illness
ART THERAPY ON THE NET
What is Pet Therapy?
Pet Therapy is the use of animals to produce a change in an individual 's level of functioning, either physical, mental, or emotional. Animals help people just by visiting with them. It can help people feel less lonely, and less depressed. People become more active and responsive both during and after visiting with animals. An animal visit can offer entertainment, or a welcome distraction from pain and infirmity. People often talk to the dogs, and share with them their thoughts and feelings and memories. Animal visits provide something to look forward to. Stroking a dog or cat can reduce a person's blood pressure. Petting encourages use of hands and arms, stretching and
turning.
The pet makes it easier for two strangers to talk. It gives people a common interest and provides a focus for conversation. A dog pays little attention to age or physical ability, but accepts people as they are. The benefits continue even after the visit. The visit leaves behind memories not only of the visit, but of past experiences. It offers something for people to
share.
Visiting dogs must be social. A good therapy dog is calm, tolerant and friendly. Visiting dogs must be polite. The balance between calmness, and friendliness is a difficult one. Even an excellent obedience dog may not be a good visiting dog if it shows little interest in meeting people. An aloof dog may be calm, but may cause people to feel rejected. A very friendly dog may have the best of intentions but may cause injury. A dog that is full of energy and always ready to work may be too active for most situations.
PET THERAPY ON THE NET
