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Samantha Janssen
Period 6
October 11, 2016
Art Therapy for Adolescents
Stress is something commonly seen in today's youth, whether it's preparing for tests, AP
classes, or lots of homework, we've all been there at one time or another. How we deal with it is
another topic on its own. Some adolescents exercise, paint their nails, go for a nice drive, listen
to music, or do art. With new advances in psychology there is always new ideas and ways to deal
with stress. However, at some schools there is an absence in ways for adolescents to relieve this
stress. Most schools do offer art classes, however they can't offer all art classes. Which is why art
therapy should be more integrated in schools as a platform to relieve stress in adolescents. To be
well versed in this topic partakers will need to know what art therapy is, what the benefits of art
therapy are for adolescents and adults alike, and if adolescents even enjoy doing art.
Art therapy is described as a mental health profession where patients use various art
forms to explore their feelings, encourage self-actualization, reduce stress and anxiety, and
increase self-esteem (American Art). This is quite important because, if not dealt with stress can
cause a number of problems over time, which can include, but is not limited to, an increased risk
of coronary heart disease, and increased risk of diseases. Not only that but stress has been proven
to exacerbate the course of AIDS and cancer (Myers, 401-405). It has also been proven by the
American Art Therapy Association that art therapy benefits a wide range of people, from PTSD
patients to your regular average student. One case study was done on a 48 year old woman who
had injured a motorcyclist with her car. The therapy was put into effect to lower her severe
anxiety, aid in sleep, stop involuntary recurring memories, and heart palpitations. After a while
of drawing and doing pottery she was able to become more introspective, which gave her a

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feeling of power over the accident (Bitonte et al). Turns out some of us have been doing art
therapy for a long time now, for example children who play in the mud and craft mud pies are
activating the visual and motor cortexes of their brains, therefore releasing dopamine into the
central nervous system, making them much happier (Scott PhD). Unfortunately, this type of
therapy is very underutilized in today's society, in Ohio it was reported that only about 40% of
inpatient facilities utilize art therapy (Bitonte et al).
There are many benefits linked to this kind of therapy. Which include, but are not limited
to an increased optimistic outlook, improved focus, stress reduction, and increased sociability
(Health Fitness). There was another art study, this time overseas, in Thailand, in an inpatient
center. The class was composed of teens and children that were each given a slab of clay and
were told to make a seal out of it. A few of the kids made one seal, because they were instructed
to do so, but a few decided to take it a step further and make an entire family of seals. One boy in
particular, Pat, made a mother seal and three baby seals, when questioned by the psychiatrist on
where the father seal was all Pat said was, He ran away with another woman. He is
irresponsible. This led them to believe Pat had made his own family within the seals and were
able to then move forward with a treatment that was right for his specific needs (Sukrung).
Works from the art classes reveal the inner mechanisms of young people and their desire for love
and understanding, showing their missing problem solving skills and aspirations for their new
chapter of life. In another article, this time about ceramics, it was revealed that even informal
therapy, (not taught by an actual art psychologist), gave people a new introspective look on their
lives. Many potters have very taxing, high strung careers like law and medicine, and pottery
seems to play a therapeutic role. With your pot, you need to be centered, or you cant move

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forward, said Bebe Federmann, a teacher with Mud, Sweat and Tears for the past nine years.
Its almost the same as life you need to be centered in order to move forward. (Lee).
But the most important question of all is: Do kids even like to do art? Short answer: yes,
children from very young ages can enjoy art, they like bright colors and lots of contrast, which
stimulates them visually and aids in the brain's development (Bourne). Older kids start to realise
that there is meaning behind wonderful pieces of art. They see how art can be expressive for
them as well. Studies show that exposure to great art increases a childs verbal ability,
expressiveness, reasoning and logical thinking, and leads to philosophical questioning as a child
seeks interpretation and understanding. (Bourne). The biggest advantage is that art can express
things that kids would rather not verbally say, art making is a natural expression for children.
Meaning that more can be gathered about said childs mental stability (Frank). Besides
strengthening analytical skills, studying art can teach kids about design, color, shading, and
various other artistic techniques (Bourne).
Overall art is a way today's youth is being shaped, both socially and psychologically. Art
therapy is a great program that needs to be implemented at more inpatient centers as it is doing a
good job of relieving stress and is giving a way for people to explain how they're feeling without
having to say what they're feeling. There are many benefits to art therapy, and with more
scientific advances there will be new case studies showing more and more benefits to this type of
therapy. Hopefully, schools will one day be able to implement these courses to better
accommodate those adolescents that are struggling with stress and not knowing how to gain
relief from it. Students are on their way up Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, one step closer to
becoming transcendental, self-actualized, intelligent humans. One day art may not be needed for

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introspection and everyone will be able to speak freely about things that bother them. Which is
something we should all work towards in the long run.

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Works Cited
American Art Therapy Association. What is Art Therapy?.2013. PDF.
Bitonte, Robert A., and Marisa De Santo. Art Therapy: An Underutilized, yet Effective Tool.
Mental Illness 6.1 (2014): 5354. PMC. Web. 6 Oct. 2016.
Bourne, Lori. "Why Should Children Study Art? - Montessori for Everyone - Montessori Blog."
Montessori for Everyone Montessori Blog RSS. Montessori for Everyone, 10 Aug. 2008.
Web. 07 Oct. 2016
Frank, Priscilla. "How Art Therapy Can Help Children Facing Mental And Emotional
Challenges." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 05 July 2015. Web. 07 Oct.
2016.
Lee, Ji Hyun. "Dirty Hands Act as Therapy." Pottery Studio Offers a Form of Therapy. The New
York Times, 21 Mar. 2013. Web. 6 Oct. 2016.
Lusebrink, Vija B. "Art therapy and the brain: An attempt to understand the underlying processes
of art expression in therapy." Art Therapy 21.3 (2004): 125-135.
Sajani, V., and L. S. S. Manickam. "Integrative Art Therapy in Adolescents: An Experiential
Study." Teens: Journal of Teenage Care & Premarital Counseling 1 (2000): 35-40.
Myers, David G. Myers' Psychology for AP. New York, NY: Worth, 2011. Print.
Scott, E. Hitchcock, PhD. "Art Therapy Modalities." ArtManna.com: Clay & Ceramics Art
Therapy. E. Hitchcock Scott, 2009. Web. 06 Oct. 2016.
Sukeung, Karnjarya. "Art Therapy With Children & Teens in Bangkok, Thailand." Art Therapy.
Bangkok Post, 2012. Web. 06 Oct. 2016.

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"Top 10 Health Benefits of Pottery." Health Fitness Revolution. N.p., 22 May 2015. Web. 06
Oct. 2016.