You’ve probably heard the phrase “a picture is worth a thousand words”, and it may just be the best possible way to simply answer to the question – what is art therapy? The phrase successfully encapsulates the impact art has on human communication, and its contribution to mutual understanding between people.

What is Art therapy?

Art therapy provides adults and children with creative ways to better express and understand themselves, whilst dealing with cognitive, emotional, and physical challenges. Human beings have turned to the arts for healing ever since language signs evolved, but they only became an official method of therapy in the previous century when doctors noticed patients expressed themselves better with drawings.

According to the American Art Therapy Association, art therapy is a therapeutic method that utilizes active art-making and the creative process in a psychotherapeutic setting, in order to enrichen the lives of individuals, families, and communities. When facilitated by a NOVIZKI therapist, art therapy fosters self-esteem, self-awareness, cultivates emotional resilience, and advances societal change.

There is no requirement to be good at art in order to take part in art therapy, this is a widespread misconception about the discipline.

The mother of Art Therapy

Art has been a major part of human existence, however the utilization of art in therapeutic domains was only documented in the 40’s of the previous century. Margaret Naumburg is often described as “mother of art therapy” as she established the school of thought that utilized art as a tool to develop self-awareness, and cope with emotional baggage people carry throughout life. Margaret believed that creating artwork in the presence of a therapist enables people to expose vulnerable parts of themselves and helps work towards psychological healing.

Education: Becoming an Art Therapist

Due to the many benefits of art therapy, there is a high demand for professional art therapists around the world. The NOVIZKI method graduated 140 classes of art therapy with more than 2000 graduates who studied the NOVIZKI method. The NOVIZKI method is founded on the principle that the creative arts are a powerful tool that can lead to positive change in people’s lives. Studying art therapy through the NOVIZKI method is a 3-year process that takes place in the Holon Institute of Technology.