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Exploration Of Art As Therapy In Books

Exploring art through therapy books

Art therapy, also known as expressive therapy, uses art as a medium that allows people to explore and express their emotions and thoughts. And the best part is that one doesn’t need to be very creative or artistic to take up this therapy. Rooftop digs deeper into the realm of art therapy books.

Reading And Art

Reading is an art form because it requires some of the same skills as making art. When we read, we are making the novel, the story, the poem, or the memoir with the author. On the shelf, the pages are simply full of words, but the book comes alive in our hands, our ears, and our eyes. Rooftop brings you 10 such art therapy books that use art to express and convey emotion.

Dancing Mindfulness 

Using tricks and step-by-step exercises, dancer and clinical counsellor Dr. Jamie Marich expertly explains to you the seven primary elements of mindfulness in motion: breath, sound, body, story, mind, spirit, and fusion.

Art Therapy Books
Image Credits: Amazon

The Creative Connection: Expressive Art As Healing 

Dr. Natalie Rogers has introduced a process called the Creative Connection that uses all the expressive arts — movement, sound, drawing, painting, writing, and guided imagery — to tap into the deep ocean of creativity within each of us. Rogers emphasises the importance of psychological safety and freedom while using the creative arts mentioned in this art therapeutic book.

The Soul’s Palette

According to Cathy Malchiodi, making art is as important to your physical and spiritual health as balanced nutrition, regular exercise, meditation, or any other day-to-day requirement. Expressing yourself creatively—through drawing, painting, sculpture, and photography—allows you to dive into a source of inner wisdom that provides guidance, soothes emotional pain, and revitalises your being.

Art Therapy Books
Image Credits: Amazon

A Court of Thorns And Roses 

Sarah J. Maas beautifully wrote this book with Feyre Archeron as the protagonist and narrator of A Court of Thorns and Roses, a skilled yet reluctant huntress who dreams of being a painter and creates something when she wants to.

Also read: The Ultimate Guide To Art Therapy

What It Is

How do objects summon memories? What do real images feel like? For decades, these types of questions have decorated the pages of Lynda Barry’s compositions with words that evoke vivid imagery. This graphic novel is a treat to the eyes and immensely thought-provoking.

Art Therapy Books
Image Credits: Amazon

Art Is A Way Of Knowing 

Written by Pat B. Allen, this book is worth reading. Making art—giving form to the images that arise in our mind’s eye, our dreams, and our everyday lives—is a spiritual practise through which knowledge of ourselves gets the shape of wisdom.

Art Heals

The field of art therapy is discovering that artistic expression can be a powerful medium for personal transformation and emotional and spiritual healing.

In this book, Shaun McNiff, a leader in expressive arts therapy for more than three decades. She reflects on a wide spectrum of activities related to reviving art’s traditional healing function.

Creative Revolution

Flora Bowley signifies in this book that painting, other than a mere hobby, is many things. It can be a vehicle for transforming your mind, body, and spirit! Painting sparks a revolution that involves heart, creativity, courage, and trust!

250 Brief, Creative, and Practical Art Therapy Techniques 

Written by Susan Buchalter, this book is creative, fun, and fast for therapeutic warm-ups! Briefly, this is the perfect way to break the ice and get clients feeling comfortable and motivated to participate in individual or group therapy.

Art Therapy Books
Image Credits: Amazon

Expressive Art Therapy 

Early chapters show the historical context and theoretical grounding for this emerging field. Later chapters depict the cycles of the creative process, from the beginning through finding a voice, bringing art to life, and closure. Further offering references to experiential exercises, personal stories, and poems related to that cycle.

Also read: Art and mental health: Benefits of traditional art for well-being

Conclusion

Art Therapy Books can change lives and have amazing healing powers that can help individuals with mental health conditions. Reading makes transportation and transformation possible. So grab any art therapy book and enter the world of dreams!

Rooftop offers a wide range of programmes, from art therapy workshops to Employee engagement activities. Uplifting mental health through art is an interesting concept, and we curate experiences that make it happen.

For more art-related content, join us on Instagram: @rooftop_app or download the Rooftop App from GooglePlay or the AppStore.

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