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Abstract
Art Therapy is viewed as the therapeutic use of art making within a professional relationship, by people who experience illness, trauma or challenges in living and by people who seek personal development. ‘Art therapy is based on the belief that the creative process involved in the making of art is healing and life enhancing’ (American Art Therapy Association, 2005). Through creating art and reflecting on the process and product of art, people can experience increased awareness of self and others. The Art Therapist can enable the client to reflect his/her own emotions, feelings and thoughts in a non-intrusive approach. S/he can also help the clients to cope with the distressing symptoms, stress, and traumatic experiences through the process. In addition, the art therapist can enhance cognitive abilities of the clients, especially children, adolescents and youth, and make them to enjoy the life through the process of making an art. The art therapist has an understanding of the art experience from psychological and aesthetic perspectives. The Psychologist, who uses art therapy as a tool, could assist the clients in building an internal sense of self-awareness through their artwork and personal reactions to the work. Art therapy has a knowledge base grounded in theories of personality, human development, psychology, family systems and art education. For several years, art has been used as a tool for informal and formal communication. It has been used as the means of group interaction, conflict resolution, diagnosis and self-expression. The therapeutic use of art diversity echoes the varieties of artistic experience and needs. It has been used as a symbolical vehicle to capture the inexpressible through different images.