Artistic Discovery Therapy During Covid-19
In early 2020, the Heartland House team implemented Artistic Discovery Therapy (art therapy) for their clients as part of the House’s Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment program. Art therapy has been used by recovery professionals since as early as the 1950s. Art therapy entails using creative expression such as drawing, writing, painting, building, and sculpting to support recovery by providing clients a way to identify and bring to light emotions, feelings and fears so that they can be addressed in the client’s individualized program of recovery. While art therapy can be an avenue for clients to illustrate past instances of trauma or other incidents that have affected their lives, the subject matter of their art is at the discretion of the client.
The documented benefits of art therapy for SUD patients include decreased denial of addiction, reduced opposition to treatment, and lessened shame associated with SUD. Anecdotally, a number of Heartland House residents who partake of art therapy have indicated their belief that art therapy has helped them to gain valuable therapeutic insights that help them to make the internal changes needed to stay sober.
Art therapy has proven to be a highly effective means of supporting SUD recovery, and our team at Heartland House is delighted to present to you the following examples of artwork by Heartland House clients.
For more information on the benefits of Art Therapy, follow any of these links:
https://www.addictioncenter.com/treatment/art-therapy/
https://www.foundationsrecoverynetwork.com/art-therapy-used-addiction-treatment/
Recent Comments