Time and again the question arises: Is there a concrete dividing line between art therapy and art (pedagogy)?
Art producers work far from the norm, art education also only succeeds far from the mainstream. Art is a medium to distance oneself and at the same time to increase well-being.
Art and (art) education are at the same time very distinct from art therapy (and vice versa). Are there points of contact and synergies?
Yes you are right. Art education is different from art therapy. But they can be used together. Art can be used in therapy - hence the synergy. For example, art is used in research where participants or patients are asked to draw a drawing which can be used as a tool to cure them! When they draw, they are led to express themselves! Later they can speak about things/issues through the drawing which they may never speak about without that drawing!
Please consult:
Professor Ruth Leitch, available at: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ruth-Leitch
They are two distinct concepts yet intertwined.........education suggests the pedagogical aspect whereas therapy suggests the utilization of art in treatment yet art in any form or fashion acts on one's holistic being so very tricky dichotomy.
Agree with Asaad Chasib Hamood
As an art educator, I cannot practice art therapy. I am not a licensed therapist. I am not qualified to do so. My pedagogy overall is to help develop young people into creative, critical thinkers who are self aware in some respects. Within 13 weeks, or even the 10 months of the academic year I can only have so much impact on that goal. I have State and and National standards to meet and assess my students on, and I also am assessed as an educator based on how well my students meet these standards. The manner in which I interact with students and help empower them to find their creative voice is in a way therapeutic, but it is not therapy. There are points of synergy, but they are two separate ends and methods. …great question!
Stephanie (Perample) Butler
Yeah I agree with you. They are not usually intertwined in class, but as I mentioned art can be used as a therapy tool!
I think that art as a teaching method differs from art therapy, as the latter is used in behavioral psychotherapy
Thank you all for your interesting answers. Asaad Chasid Hamood: I agree with you - but: However, I often fear that art educators want to act as therapists and therapists want to act as art facilitators. I completely agree with Adita Maharaj, Stephanie Butler, Asaad Chasib Hamood, Nima Abdul Sammad Al-Asadi to see art as a teaching method, which is different from art therapy, as the second is mainly used in behavioural psychotherapy. These are both very sensitive areas that very often cannot be done by one person (especially without the necessary talent and training). And then it could become dangerous with unprofessional dilletantism. We have the same approach intercontinental in this discussion group, however, in practice a different path is often taken... Intercontinental, we have the same approach in this discussion group, however, in practice a different path is often taken...
Dear Stephanie (Perample) Butler, dear colleague!
You speak my heart: art education and art therapy have two different aims and methods, but in the best case synergies can arise that are beneficial for all those involved in the (learning) processes. The stimulation of creativity can have a therapeutic effect and promote interaction and stimulate the learning process ... Trauma can only be treated by therapists, teachers within the framework of their physical and psychological but especially in their legal circumstances.