Art therapy, which became a profession in the 1940s, helps people express feelings -- both conscious and repressed -- through the creative process of art. As described on http://www.arttherapy.org/about.html, art therapy is based upon the belief that the creative process involved in artistic self-expression helps people to resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve insight. It is not intended to reduce seizures; however, by reducing stress, art therapy can indirectly lower seizure frequency.

The art therapist creates a safe environment that helps the person with epilepsy communicate visually through drawing, painting, and sculpting. Art therapy can be particularly beneficial to people with epilepsy who have trouble expressing their feelings in words or difficulty with relating easily to other people. It may also help young adults with epilepsy make a transition from dependency on their parents to a more autonomous lifestyle. Art therapy generally takes place over a number of sessions. It is not necessary for the patient to have artistic skills. At the start, the therapist usually encourages the patient to create some form of art. There is not much talking initially; that is, until the patient feels comfortable enough to trust the therapist. As therapy proceeds, the patient often will create objects that increase his or her ability to socialize more confidently and identify and verbalize feelings.

Art therapists are usually well trained artists and psychotherapists with additional skills in interpreting artwork. They work with their clients in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, or in their offices. A clinically-trained art therapist has a master’s degree in art therapy from an accredited university or a program approved by the American Art Therapy Association. An art therapist with the title “ATR” is a registered art therapist who has had at least 1,000 hours of patient contact time after graduation, including 100 hours of clinical supervision. One who is an ATR-BC is also board certified, meaning they have passed a lengthy test that evaluates their theoretical and clinical knowledge of the field.

According to http://www.arttherapy.org/aafaq.html, art therapists often work as part of a team that includes physicians, psychologists, nurses, and mental health counselors. Other times, art therapists work independently and maintain private practices.

For more information, see: Coss E, Schachter SC, Art therapy. In: Devinsky O, Schachter SC, Pacia S, editors. Complementary and alternative therapies for epilepsy. New York: Demos Medical Publishing; 2005. p. 303-9.

The Editors, 11/28/2006