Arts and Crafting As Therapy

You don't have to be an artist or have what you would think of as artistic talent to gain therapeutic value from practicing arts and crafts as therapy. People generally have a misconception that Art Therapy or Expressive Arts Therapy needs to be in a room with couch and a professional holding a pad of paper, taking notes on the "patient" or client. That is only one form of Art Therapy, but Arts and Crafting as Therapy can include any form or arts or crafts, in any place, with anyone or no one! You can benefit from putting some music on and painting, or working with friends on writing a song. The key component is creative expression, which means different things for different people.

Art therapy can be in a professional setting, but doesn't have to be; practicing any form of artistic expression can be used to reduce stress or create a peaceful moment in your life.

Arts and crafts can include all sorts of forms of creative expression- it is not limited to painting, but can include dance, singing, music, drumming, writing, scrap-booking, knitting, crochet, drawing, sewing, up-cycling, decoupage, pottery, acting, collage, photography, and so much more.