Art therapy programs are a form of meditative and expressive therapy that has been around for decades. It continues to grow in popularity as it assists individuals in expressing their thoughts and feelings. Expression through art helps people explore, understand, & resolve issues they may not be able to address using words alone.
Art is often a nonverbal process and sometimes the only way an individual can convey ideas or emotions. Art therapy programs provide people with the opportunity to explore their inner thoughts without feeling confined to using words — a valuable service for any person with issues that are too painful to discuss out loud.
There are many different art therapy programs that therapists can use at any stage throughout the healing process — from children up through adulthood.
The goal of art therapy activities is to improve one’s mental and emotional state by exploring and releasing their emotions in a safe environment.
Art therapists facilitate these sessions, guiding students who are learning how to use their creativity as a form of escapism or help cope more effectively and instruct on the technical aspect of the art mediums being used.
When someone suffers from an addiction, they must be treated for their symptoms and the underlying trauma and pain. Substance use disorders are often co-occurring with other mental health conditions, such as depression. To heal each condition more effectively, therapists observe patterns and treat each condition individually, focusing on the root cause of how these conditions developed initially.
The use of creative art therapy programs by art therapists in their sessions allows patients to learn more about themselves and identify areas in need of growth. The feelings of guilt, blame, denial, depression, and obsession fall into the background, presenting the opportunity to live “in the now” and understand that substances are not the only means to peace or joy. The added support of an art therapist, in addition to other more traditional treatment methods, can improve the overall recovery experience, create motivation, and decrease the chance of relapse; it may even help a person discover a new passion they never knew they had.
Silicon Valley Recovery’s professionally designed programs balance physical recovery and mental health with access to resources that help people confront their behaviors without being harshly judged or mistreated.
The skills learned through the programs at Silicon Valley Recovery will prepare you for a healthy lifestyle outside the program and equip you with the tools needed to handle cravings and minimize the chance of relapsing.
San Francisco Bay Area residents who are struggling with addiction can find guidance and support at Silicon Valley Recovery. The center offers a variety of drug and alcohol support groups, including 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.
The support groups offered at Silicon Valley Recovery provide participants with a fundamental support system of peers who are facing similar challenges. Members of these groups share their stories and offer advice and support to one another. This mutual aid can be tremendously helpful in preventing relapse and promoting recovery. In addition, working to help others can also benefit those in recovery, providing a sense of purpose and satisfaction.