Student access to art therapy on campus is limited
What is art therapy?
Art therapy is the elegant pairing of psychology and art to improve mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. Directed by a specialized therapist, the treatment utilizes the distinct benefits of creative expression to care for various ailments. Such an approach can take the form of counselling, healing, treatment, rehabilitation, and psychotherapy, and its versatility diversifies its effects.
Using a set of tools (paints, markers, canvases, etc.), art therapists guide patients through the creative practice, allowing personal expression to promote awareness and understanding of one’s own state of being. Artworks may also be used in traditional counselling to trigger memories or relate meaning within adult and child patients.
Art therapy can employ various artistic mediums, which might include visual arts, music, horticulture, and equestrianism. For students under high levels of stress, art therapy has the potential to improve wellness, while incidentally supplementing Guelph’s art community.
Art therapy at U of G
With increasing demand for counselling and therapy on university campuses, schools like U of G are focusing more on services to improve wellness — the school recently adopted the Okanagan Charter, a document developed at a 2015 conference featuring recommendations for cultivating a healthy campus environment. No formal plans to make art therapy accessible on campus have been announced.
The undergraduate Psychology Society has hosted art therapy paint nights, as well as events including colouring, to promote this kind of healing. Student initiatives like these are among the only dedicated art therapy resources available on campus.
Students and art therapy
Some students are seeking out the benefits of art therapy in their own time. Second year undergraduate student David Lyver told The Ontarion that he uses art to maintain his own mental wellbeing as a student. “I do find myself turning towards art in times of stress,” he said, “leaning towards creating art rather than appreciating it, although something as simple as [listening to] music has a wonderful effect on my mental wellbeing.”
Although art therapy as a psychological treatment relies on the guidance of a trained professional, implementing creative practices in their spare time may help students alleviate some of their stress. “Whenever I’m in my own head too much and just need to take some time and distance myself, I’ve often found that sitting down with a pencil and my sketchbook is incredibly helpful,” said Lyver.
“Guelph students could benefit from this being available on campus, as students are all dealing with stress and the pressure to do well.”
Feature photo courtesy of Pexelbay