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The Art of Living With Hemophilia
A Story of Personal Triumph Through Art By Kelly Burgess
The Art of Therapy
Although the American Art Therapy Association was officially formed about 35 years ago, the fact is that art was being used as therapy long before it became "official." So many artists throughout history became the legends they did because they tried to escape their pain – whether it was physical or emotional – through painting. The value of art as therapy is that it allows one to express the inexpressible. Craig Balfany has been a registered art therapist since 1985. Currently, he works in a hospital-based treatment center for adolescents with mental health issues.
"Art therapy is not about being skilled or talented or making a pretty picture," says Balfany. "It's a route for looking at the world in a different way. Art can give a person a way to acknowledge a negative experience and process it and create distance between it. It creates a springboard for someone who may have difficulty expressing and letting go of a negative experience otherwise."
There are many facets of art therapy. Besides aiding in emotional expression, it can help someone who is recovering from a brain injury develop fine motor skills. In Paul Gilmer's case, it often helped him focus on something other than his physical pain when he was having episodes of bleeding. For someone who is immobilized by injury, it can be a way to pass time.
Balfany also encourages parents to facilitate artistic expression with their own children. "It's great for kids if parents will provide materials around the house for kids to draw and paint," says Balfany. "It's a great stimulus for them creatively, emotionally and developmentally."
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