Art is worth a thousand words of counselling

Sara Powell

"Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." These words from renowned artist Pablo Picasso powerfully define the benefits of art therapy. A creative method of expression used as a therapeutic technique, art therapy acts as a stimulus for emotional output.
Though this form of therapy is still gaining momentum here in the UAE, it has proven to be a particularly beneficial tool when working with children.
"Expression through art acts as a war cry for some. The healing powers embedded in such creative endeavours, like putting paint to canvas or pen to paper, can tell you a lot about a person. For children, it's less intimidating than talking to a therapist," art therapist at Art Therapy International Centre (Atic) in Dubai, Sara Powell, told Khaleej Times.
Used as an aid to burrow to the root of mental health issues, Powell said art therapy is less aggressive than the more traditional verbal therapies.
"Verbal therapy can be tricky for some clients, especially children. In cases where verbal therapy doesn't work, art materials become a parallel for a person's internal emotions."
Open to both children and adults, art therapy is still evolving here. But by exploring modes of expression, understanding and healing through artistic activities, it can promote a form of escapism for many and has the potential to change lives, and, even save them.
Power of art
They say a picture speaks a thousand words, and for one Dubai-based mother, it told her so much more about her young child. "Art therapy has helped my child cope with his emotions so much," Jobelle Farah (name changed) told Khaleej Times. After separating from her husband two years ago, Farah became concerned for her young son's wellbeing. "Kareem was only five years old at the time of our separation. Soon after, he started getting nervous ticks," she said.
Though Farah and her husband were separated, they were still living under the same roof. It was this living situation which caused confusion for Kareem, and he often asked, "Why is daddy sleeping in the other room?"
As Kareem began to exhibit a number of nervous behaviours including eye twitching, lip biting and bed-wetting, Farah turned to a psychiatrist for help.
"Initially I was seeing the psychiatrist to try and help me deal with the separation. But I became so concerned for Kareem, I forgot about me and sought help for him."
One-on-one sessions with the psychiatrist did little to ease Kareem's worry. The pressure of "opening up" to an adult counsellor proved difficult for the young boy, so he was referred to the ATIC for counselling.
"The psychiatrist told me he was not expressing himself and he found it hard to just sit and talk, hence the referral," Farah said.
Although art therapy is more popular among children, adults respond well to it too, fellow art therapist, Andrew Wright said.
"Art therapy is still relatively new here. It's not a one-size-fits all solution, so we assess patients on a case by case basis to see what therapy they need. Art therapy really works in some adult cases we see."
To art therapists, pictures and paintings can reveal so much about the inner turmoil of each client. By guiding them through different creative art forms, therapists are able to help individuals express themselves and communicate issues in ways that talking cannot.
"We use arts in an integrated way for personal growth and social change," Wright said.
Expressive art therapy can help people awaken creativity, experience new insights, address inner emotions, and foster self-healing. And it is this diluted, less aggressive approach to therapy which helps bring down a person's barriers, Powell said.
"We create a three-way relationship for the client: Therapist, client and artwork. We ask them to paint a picture and explain it to us. That works better than telling them to talk us through what they are feeling."
How it helps
Powell said many people could benefit from art therapy, including cancer patients, people with chronic illness, caregivers, those with anger issues, sexual abuse victims and drug addicts.
In Dubai, couples therapy and child therapy following a family separation are the most sought after services, followed closely by expatriates who have recently gone through life transition changes.
"I think a lot of family breakdowns affect children here. The youngest we have treated is about four years old. Because of the young age, they can't express how they feel, so they find it easier to show it through art. That's a huge benefit for worried parents."
And Kareem's mother, Farah agrees. "When they first told me about art therapy I was skeptical. I thought 'my son paints at home all the time, how is that going to help him'."
But over time, it all began to make sense.
"Initially, I sat in on his sessions because I just couldn't see how it would work. But after two months, all his ticks were gone. He is so much more confident now."
And despite the progress Kareem has made, Farah said she will continue to take him to therapy as it's a "great outlet" for his emotions.
"As a parent who struggled to get to the root of my child's problem, I only have one message for other parents out there: If you think your child needs help, seek it - the sooner the better. Don't let it build up. No parent should be scared to look for help."
kelly@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Dubai

Kelly Clarke

kelly@khaleejtimes.com