Art therapy can be life changing
Published 3:30 pm Friday, May 9, 2025
- Ashley Coplin, Director of Whitfield Foundation introduces Art Therapist Amy Brown to speak to the Whitfield Foundation members via video call during the Art Therapy Lunch at Whitfield Regional Hospital. | Submitted photo.
|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Art therapy is a powerful tool that can be life changing. Artist and therapist Amy Brown spoke on art therapy at an Art Therapy Lunch and Lecture sponsored by the Whitfield Foundation on Tuesday, April 29. Artwork from Whitfield Behavioral Health patients was displayed all week in the front lobby of the hospital.
Artwork from a therapy patient. | Submitted photo
Art Therapy allows patients to tell their stories through creative expression.
“Everyone has a story, and even though those with mental health issues have bad days, they still have a lot of life to live and choose to push through,” Brown said. As an example, she cited the usage of punctuation in writing.
“The semicolon can be used when the author could have ended their sentence but instead chose to continue,” Brown continued, “This can be an especially powerful symbol for someone who considered ending their life but instead chose to continue living and write more of their story.”
Art therapy uses the creative process to help individuals explore and express emotions, thoughts, and experiences, ultimately promoting mental and emotional well-being. It’s a form of psychotherapy that can be used to treat a range of mental health conditions and psychological distress.
