Latest Updates: Advancements in Art Therapy Programs and Internal Team Developments
In the vibrant community we host, Art Therapy has found a significant presence, with various professionals, charities, and organisations championing its benefits. One such practitioner is Cara Tompkins Rosa, a certified Art Therapist based in Montreal. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in photography and a Master of Counselling degree specialising in Art Therapy, Cara offers a range of formats for both children and adults.
On a global scale, Blue Rhino, based in Istanbul with a London office, offers Art Therapy services worldwide. Their extensive archive boasts over 2,000 international Art Therapists. Blue Rhino's founder, Ulvi Kasimov, believes that Art Therapy can play a crucial role in the process of global healing and recovery, especially in light of the challenges posed by the ongoing global pandemic.
Art therapy offers specific benefits for individuals dealing with self-esteem issues, depression, Alzheimer's, and schizophrenia. For self-esteem, art therapy provides a creative and non-verbal outlet for expression, emotional processing, and cognitive engagement, fostering a sense of accomplishment and promoting a positive self-image.
In the case of depression, art therapy can reduce anxiety and exhaustion, enhance mindfulness, and help individuals express difficult emotions, thereby supporting emotional regulation and reducing depressive symptoms.
For Alzheimer’s disease, engaging in art-based activities can help maintain cognitive functions, slow cognitive decline, and support social interaction, which are important for managing dementia-related challenges.
Regarding schizophrenia, art therapy facilitates non-verbal communication and emotional expression, helping individuals process complex inner experiences that may be difficult to articulate verbally. This can improve self-awareness, reduce anxiety, and potentially alleviate some symptoms by providing an alternative outlet for emotional release and cognitive engagement.
Key benefits across these conditions include emotional release and catharsis, stress reduction and relaxation, self-exploration and insight, improved communication skills, and cognitive maintenance.
Our community is also home to the ELM Foundation, which promotes the healing power of Art Therapy through advocacy, education, and mentorships. The ELM Foundation, based in Brooklyn, recently welcomed Jeff Sass as their Chief Marketing Officer. With over 40 years of experience in the tech and entertainment industries, Jeff Sass brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the team.
The British Association of Psychotherapists also advocates for the therapeutic value of self-expression through art. Art Therapy is a mental health profession requiring a graduate degree for entry, emphasising its importance and the rigorous training its practitioners undergo.
As we move forward, our community is focusing on raising awareness for Art Therapy as a vital need in the modern world, with initiatives like Blue Rhino Art promoting its practices and our Corporate Social Responsibility and Philanthropic activities extending to Art Therapy. Stories of individuals increasing self-esteem, overcoming depression, dealing with Alzheimer's, and even schizophrenia through Art Therapy continue to inspire and demonstrate its transformative power.
Art Therapy, deeply rooted in mental health, holds immense potential for health-and-wellness, particularly in the realm of therapies-and-treatments for self-esteem issues, depression, Alzheimer's, and schizophrenia. For instance, it offers a unique form of creative expression that fosters emotional processing, self-awareness, and cognitive engagement for individuals dealing with self-esteem issues. Moreover, the ELM Foundation, a key player in our community, champions the healing power of Art Therapy, advocating for its importance in mental health.
