Pamela G. Malkoff Hayes – Art Therapy Interventions for Anxiety, Chronic Pain and Addictions

Outline

ART THERAPY – WHAT IT IS AND WHAT IT ISN’T ART THERAPY – WHAT IT IS AND WHAT IT ISN’T

• History of Art Therapy and the Multiple Ways it is AppliedHistory of Art Therapy and the Multiple Ways it is Applied
• Engaging in art changes our emotional response to memories of traumaEngaging in art changes our emotional response to memories of trauma
• Case studies including: Female understands herself and her relationship more clearly after completing and talking about a drawingCase studies including: Female understands herself and her relationship more clearly after completing and talking about a drawing
• Art participation: bypass fears of perfectionism and the “I can’t draw” voiceArt participation: bypass fears of perfectionism and the “I can’t draw” voice

ART THERAPY FOR ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION ART THERAPY FOR ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION

Create new neural pathways for trauma related anxiety, PTSD and/or depression Create new neural pathways for trauma related anxiety, PTSD and/or depression

• CBT, Positive Psychology Separating physiological sensations from fears that cause panic attacksCBT, Positive Psychology Separating physiological sensations from fears that cause panic attacks
• Externalize and contain fearsExternalize and contain fears
• Stopping the automatic negative thoughts (ANTs)Stopping the automatic negative thoughts (ANTs)
• Art techniques to practice mindfulness and focusArt techniques to practice mindfulness and focus
• Challenge and change catastrophizing thoughtsChallenge and change catastrophizing thoughts
• Case studies including: College student struggling with generalized anxiety Case studies including: College student struggling with generalized anxiety
• Art Participation: Technique to express, face and destroy fearsArt Participation: Technique to express, face and destroy fears

ART THERAPY FOR CHRONIC PAIN ART THERAPY FOR CHRONIC PAIN

Create a sense of mindfulness, distraction and integration for physical and emotional pain Create a sense of mindfulness, distraction and integration for physical and emotional pain

• Address chronic pain with understanding and provide hopeAddress chronic pain with understanding and provide hope
• Listening to the pain without it defining youListening to the pain without it defining you
• Case studies including: An adult male with severe back pain Case studies including: An adult male with severe back pain
• Art experiential: Opportunity to express and release pain, and build something new out of itArt experiential: Opportunity to express and release pain, and build something new out of it

ART THERAPY WITH ADDICTIONS ART THERAPY WITH ADDICTIONS

Techniques to tolerate frustration and uncomfortable feelingsTechniques to tolerate frustration and uncomfortable feelings

• Examples of self-destructive behaviors in addictionsExamples of self-destructive behaviors in addictions
• Dangers of automatic negative thought processing Interrupt and discourage avoidance and escapeDangers of automatic negative thought processing Interrupt and discourage avoidance and escape
• Case studies including: Groups in drug treatment center Case studies including: Groups in drug treatment center
• Art participation: Address fear of making mistakes and allow for trying new things – encourages individual creativity within a safe structureArt participation: Address fear of making mistakes and allow for trying new things – encourages individual creativity within a safe structure

CHANGE PERSPECTIVES AND MOVE TOWARD OVERALL MENTAL WELLNESS CHANGE PERSPECTIVES AND MOVE TOWARD OVERALL MENTAL WELLNESS

• Rebuild a new belief system combining CBT, Positive Psychology, Narrative Therapy, Mindfulness, Meditation and Art TherapyRebuild a new belief system combining CBT, Positive Psychology, Narrative Therapy, Mindfulness, Meditation and Art Therapy
• Recognize holding onto past hurt and anger and learning to let goRecognize holding onto past hurt and anger and learning to let go
• Examples of living a life of gratitudeExamples of living a life of gratitude
• Case studies including: Clients learning to release and transform fears into hope Case studies including: Clients learning to release and transform fears into hope
• Art Participation: create a gratitude treeArt Participation: create a gratitude tree
• Practice mindfulness, acceptance, and letting go of unrealistic expectationsPractice mindfulness, acceptance, and letting go of unrealistic expectations
• Art Therapy techniques to help set aside ego fueled thoughts and behaviors and increase a connection to othersArt Therapy techniques to help set aside ego fueled thoughts and behaviors and increase a connection to others
• Current research and limitations reviewedCurrent research and limitations reviewed