Art Therapy vs Drawing and Talking: What's the Difference?
You may have come across terms such as art therapy, creative therapy, Drawing and Talking, or therapeutic drawing.
They can sound very similar, and it can be difficult to know what the difference is - or which approach might be right for you or your child.
All of the approaches use creativity to help express emotions, but art therapy and Drawing and Talking are not the same thing. They have different approaches, training requirements and purposes.
If you're looking for emotional support for you or your child, here's a simple explanation of the difference.
What is art therapy?
Art therapy is a recognised form of psychotherapy - a form of professional therapeutic support that helps people explore and understand their thoughts, feelings, experiences and behaviours, with the aim of improving emotional wellbeing. It uses creative activities as part of therapeutic work.
Rather than relying solely on talking, the client might use drawing, painting, clay, collage or other creative materials to explore thoughts, feelings and experiences. The artwork itself can become part of the therapeutic conversation.
A trained art therapist would help the client to explore what they've created and what it means to them.
Importantly, there's no requirement to be "good at art" to benefit from art therapy. The focus isn't on creating something beautiful or producing a particular type of artwork. Creativity is simply another way of communicating and exploring feelings.
Art therapy can be particularly helpful for anyone who finds it difficult to put their feelings into words.
So, what is Drawing and Talking?
Drawing and Talking is a gentle approach where the Practitioner invites the client to draw a picture of their choice - there isn't a right or wrong picture to create.
The only resources used are a piece of plain A4 paper and an HB pencil. No colouring pencils or pens, and no rubber, (nothing is labelled a 'mistake' in Drawing and Talking).
When the client feels ready, with the support of the Practitioner, they then create a storyline about their picture. Importantly, the storyline is always told and explored in the third person. This means the client doesn't have to share how they personally feel - helping them to feel more at ease.
The important part is the process of drawing the picture and exploring the storyline, rather than producing a finished piece of artwork.
Does Drawing and Talking involve interpreting drawings?
This is one of the biggest differences between Drawing and Talking and some forms of art therapy.
With Drawing and Talking, a picture isn't analysed or interpreted as a way of working out what is happening underneath the surface.
Rather than trying to decode the picture, Drawing and Talking allows the client to express and process their emotions in a safe space without the need to share details of personal experiences.
Is Drawing and Talking a type of art therapy?
No.
Although both approaches use creativity and drawing, Drawing and Talking is a different type of therapeutic support from art therapy.
Both approaches have their place, but they aren't interchangeable.
Why can drawing be so helpful for emotional wellbeing
People don't always have the words to explain what's going on inside them.
They might know that they feel something, but not be able to explain whether it's worry, sadness, anger, confusion, loneliness or a mixture of several emotions.
Sometimes asking "What's wrong?" can feel like a very big question.
Drawing gives another way in.
Clients don't need to sit opposite a therapist and make eye contact while explaining something difficult.
They can draw. They can pause. They can create and explore the storyline when they're ready.
Which approach is right for me or my child?
There isn't one approach that's right for everyone.
For some people, art therapy may be the appropriate choice, particularly where more specialist therapeutic or psychotherapeutic support is needed.
For others, a gentle emotional wellbeing intervention such as Drawing and Talking can provide a valuable opportunity to express feelings, build emotional awareness, and have a trusted Practitioner support them.
If you or your child are experiencing significant or ongoing mental health difficulties, it's important to seek advice from an appropriate healthcare or mental health professional so that they can help you decide what support is most suitable.
Drawing and Talking isn't intended to replace specialist mental health treatment where that is needed.
Looking for Therapeutic Support in Norfolk?
If you're wondering whether Drawing and Talking might be suitable for you or your child, you're very welcome to get in touch for an informal chat about the support available.
Together we can explore your concerns and decide whether this gentle therapeutic approach is the right fit for you or your child.
