Hey everyone, this is Kriti; I am back with the second episode of my podcast, Kritical Moments. Today's episode is "Art and its Healing Power." The last episode was about the science of happiness and how mindfulness can help with happiness. I hope everyone has had a chance to look into the online apps for mindfulness; if not, please do so when you get a moment. Today, we will focus on Art and its healing power that brings happiness. Several factors contribute to happiness, like mindfulness and habits that bring happiness. Relationships play a role in our physical and mental health and are essential for happiness, and Art and creativity can bring joy. I love Art in many forms, like painting, drawing, and music, which makes me happy. In this episode, I will talk about the healing power of Art, expressive art therapy, Art for social change, and Art as a form of mindfulness. There are several scientific studies to prove that Art can heal. Art Therapy began in the mid-20th century as a restorative practice that allowed people to express themselves in non-verbal ways, such as drawing and painting. Trauma affects the brain's speech receptors and can limit the effectiveness of traditional talk-based therapy. The reason behind the creation of modern art therapy in the United States and Europe was to serve the needs of veterans from the world wars suffering from PTSD and to address the development of children and adolescents with special needs. Art therapy can influence various human functioning, including self-perception and interpersonal interactions. From the animals dancing on the walls of Paleolithic caves to the Harlem Renaissance, the resonance of Art in our world is loud and deeply felt. While some believe Art can evoke emotions beyond words, others agree that Art can captivate the soul, body, and mind. Art therapy, which encompasses theater, dance, music, photography, drawing, painting, and crafts, is currently used in several recovery and treatment procedures. Even a 45-minute creative activity can change a person's mental state. Some solitary activities, such as coloring, can reduce stress and negative feelings among healthy adults. It can significantly enhance positive mood and boost measures of well-being, such as self-confidence and self-perception of creative abilities. Oscar Wilde once said, "Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth". Art provides a way to communicate experiences when words are insufficient. Over the past 50 years, art therapy has expanded from a tool to address the unfulfilled needs of individuals facing adversity and trauma to much broader use in hospitals, schools, and community organizations to promote health and well-being through artistic self-expression. Art Therapy encourages creative expression through painting, drawing, or modeling. It will provide a person with a safe space to express their feelings and allow them to feel more in control over their life. In 2020, Culturunners kicked off the Healing Arts Initiative as part of the World Health Organization's Solidarity Series of Events, and MoMA launched Artful Practices for Well-being, which integrated trauma awareness into its programming, acknowledging individual and collective traumas, which has been exacerbated by COVID 19. In the presence of Art, we experience inspiration, wonder, and even hope; it can spark our imagination, creativity, and thinking. Our internal awareness and capacity for transformation can expand through experiences with Art. Some scientific studies demonstrate how people benefit from exposure to Art, in which doctors prescribe museum visits, art classes, and other creative endeavors. In my personal experience, Art helps me communicate and gives me an emotional outlet to express myself. Art can harness the healing power within us and help bring us into the community. A study published in "The Arts in Psychotherapy" found that 81 percent of patients reported improved overall psychological health after participating in Art Therapy sessions. Whether you toil over an oil canvas or doodle mindlessly on a page, research suggests that creating Art has powerful healing properties. In a study published in the journal "Art Therapy," three-quarters of participants experienced lower levels of stress hormone cortisol during their 45-minute art session, regardless of previous art experience. Even if you feel like you are not artistic or creative, art therapy is still a powerful healing tool. Art Therapy's foundation is on the assumption that everyone is creative and capable of self-expression. Just like the sciences, Art has the power to change the world, and it gives voice to the voiceless. Art themed around social issues is essential to bring reform in the social and political sphere. Art can change narratives by initiating essential conversations and discussions through its message. Many art movements post World War 1 were used as a form of protest against the massive loss of human lives. Likewise, the feminist art movement that emerged in the early 60s played an essential role in fighting for women's rights. The movement inspired change, reshaped cultural attitudes, and transformed gender stereotypes in the arts. Today's well-known artists use their Art to educate the general public and advocate for social justice. Through their expressive abilities, artists can question conventional myths, shift imagery, and evoke emotions in a way that traditional political approaches rarely can. A great example is Frida Kahlo, a Spanish artist from Mexico City, Mexico, whose artwork reflects women's empowerment. During the feminist movement in the 70s, Kahlo was admired as an "icon of female creativity." As we conclude this exploration into the healing power of Art, Expressive art therapy, Art as a form of mindfulness, and its role in driving social change, one resounding truth emerges_ Art transcends its aesthetic boundaries to become a potential force for transformation. From providing solace and self-discovery through expressive art therapy to fostering a mindful connection with the present moment, Art is a universal language that speaks to the depths of our emotions and the expanses of our imagination. In our journey through the canvases of creativity, we have witnessed how Art becomes a mirror reflecting our struggles and a catalyst for social change. It is a reminder that a reservoir of healing potential lies beyond the strokes and melodies. I am including the website https://intuitivecreativity.typepad.com ( 100 Art Therapy Exercises – Shelley Klammer ) I hope these art therapy exercises serve as gateways to self-discovery, offering solace, inspiration, and moments of respite. Until our next encounter, keep painting the masterpiece that is your life. I have included art therapy schools and programs in the United States, and you can look into those programs when you have a moment. So, as we step away from this episode, let us carry with us the understanding that Art, in its myriad forms, is not just a medium of expression; it is a dynamic force that can heal, uplift, and inspire change within ourselves and in the world around us. Thank you for joining me on this artistic voyage. Until next time, may your days be painted with vibrant hues of creativity and purpose, and I thank you for the privilege of your time. Art therapy schools and programs in the United States: 1. Prescott College, AZ, http://www.prescott.edu MA in Counseling with a concentration in Art Therapy Contact: Chair, Keith Cross, PhD Contact #2: Art Therapy Program Director, Camille Smith, MA, LPC, ATR-BC Address: 220 Grove Ave, Prescott, AZ 86301 Phone: (928) 778-2090 Email: csmith@prescott.edu 2. Loyola Marymount University Contact: Debra Linesch, PhD, ATR-BC, Graduate Department of Marital and Family Therapy Address: 1 LMU Drive, Suite 2518, Los Angeles, CA 90045-2659 Phone: 310-338-4562 Email: dlinesch@lmu.edu Web: http://www.lmu.edu/mft Degree: Masters of Arts (MA) in Marital and Family Therapy with a specialization in Art Therapy Modality. 3. Notre Dame de Namur University Contact: Richard Carolan, EdD, ATR-BC, Department Chair, Art Therapy Program Address: 1500 Ralston Avenue, Belmont, CA 94002 Phone: 650-508-3556 Email: rcarolan@ndnu.edu Web: http://www.ndnu.edu Degree: Masters of Arts (MA) in Art Therapy, MA in Marriage and Family Therapy. 4. Phillips Graduate Institute Contact: Erin King-West – Director of Art Therapy and Core Faculty Address: 19900 Plummer St, Chatsworth, CA 91311 Phone: 818-386-5618 Email: ekingwest@pgi.edu Web: http://www.laiat.com, http://www.pgi.edu Degree: Masters of Arts (MA) in Psychology with a major in Marriage and Family Therapy/Art Therapy. 5. John F. Kennedy University Contact Info for Admissions: (800) 696-5358 Pleasant Hill Campus and Berkeley Campuses (800) 868-2359 Campbell Campus and Santa Cruz Satellite Location E-mail: proginfo@jfku.edu Address: 100 Ellinwood Way, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523-4817 More information Degree: Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology Program – Holistic **Note: They also have an Expressive Arts Certificate program