Sunday, May 20, 2018

Jo Ann Danchik And The Use Of Art Techniques As Emotional Therapy

By Dorothy Hughes


Art is truly an expression of self and truth. Well, that is something that many artists attest to be true, one such form of expression that has gained popularity is the art form of watercolour painting therapy. Yes, according to Jo Ann Danchik, art as a form of expression can be used as a therapy tool for most children and adults. Art is a non-invasive way of posing questions and getting the answers, you need without the individually affected feeling vulnerable or manipulated.

Therapy is a form of treatment that is highly recommended for people suffering from dementia or Alzheimer. At its core, therapy allows the individual a safe place to truly express themselves and their emotions without the burden and the expectation to remember who they are and also recognize friends and family. Therapy allows patients to feel normal as if they are getting to know a new person. This method of therapy does, however, stop working as the Alzheimer stages start to grow.

What then tends to happen is that the patient starts to have outbursts as they grow more and more frustrated with themselves. This is when regular one on one conversation therapy stops yielding desired outcomes and therapists are forced to find various ways of opening communication channels with the patient. A great tool that has become quite popular is the use of art as a source of therapy, specifically painting.

This is quite often found in children who have seen a traumatic action or have been through a traumatic action. In fact, in kids it can go a step further, with some kids completely shutting down after such trauma. In some cases, children may stop talking all together.

This is where painting as a therapy form really shines through. It allows the individual a pressure less environment to heal from the trauma they have endured while giving them the tools to also process what has happened to them. Most therapists fear that individuals who have had traumatic events happen to them struggle to process the occurrence.

Now, back to the use of water painting as an expression of emotion. The ancient art of painting dates back centuries ago, with the Mayans and their ancient paintings and the Egyptians and their hieroglyphics paintings as an expression have been going on forever. The uses of color paint are specifically therapeutic in that is uses color as a method of expression.

The basis for the disagreement stems from the fact that when trauma occurs people react to it in differing ways. While some people tend to want to spill their guts and share all the for details some people prefer to bottle it in. Which within itself is not a healthy alternative. The presentation of art therapy means that those individuals who feel less inclined to discuss their traumas have a fun, less invasive outlet of getting their feeling out.

Feeling trapped after a trauma is quite a common occurrence in trauma victims. These feelings stem from a place of fear, and of refusing to feel emotions and be vulnerable. Art as a therapy form is a wonderful way to reopen communication channels.




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