| Although years ago the interior of many hospitals | | | | improves self-esteem and reduces the need for |
| was plain drab whiteness, this is now an anomaly. | | | | medication. Medical schools have recognized the |
| Today there is plenty of proof that patients feel | | | | beneficial effects of creative arts therapy on |
| better and heal faster when they are surrounded by | | | | patients, and now make it part of their medical |
| walls adorned with cheery uplifting works of art. It | | | | curriculum. Instead of being enveloped by cold and |
| can be as simple as a mural painted on the wall, or | | | | impersonal whiteness, patients are now surrounded |
| framed paintings, tapestries, or sculpture. | | | | by bright, colorful warmth. |
| Forest scenes under bright rainbows, a glowing | | | | Art therapy is often useful for people who have a |
| sunrise, or colorful tropical fish, they all have the | | | | difficult time expressing their feelings verbally. By |
| power to be a healing force. Art therapy programs | | | | drawing, finger painting, making figures in sand, or |
| have now become well established in varied medical | | | | even placing figures representing people and animals |
| and psychiatric settings, such as for helping people | | | | in some order, it can help their therapist understand |
| with post traumatic stress, victims of physical or | | | | what may be bothering them. After doing some art |
| emotional abuse, the terminally ill and those with | | | | therapy training, a patient may feel more confident, |
| developmental disabilities. | | | | and empowered enough to trust their therapist and |
| The concentration needed to make art crowds out | | | | begin talking about their problems. This will allow the |
| stress and anxiety, and brings a calming effect which | | | | healing process to begin. |