“Art Therapy” in Dubai… recovering mental health with the power of creativity

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Thanks to its creative initiatives, Dubai continues to raise the levels of quality of life and mental health through the arts and their healing power, where colors come together to create stories that bring psychological comfort. to the patient, expressing the power of healing through the beauty of creativity. , and tells stories and memories that contribute to the ability to go on a therapeutic journey, in the rhythm of the arts.

Regarding the beginning of the spread of creative art therapy and the history of its achievements around the world, Khalil Abdul Wahed, Director of the Department of Fine Arts at the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, “Dubai Culture,” says: Art therapy as a profession began in mid 20th century, and arose independently, and Margaret Nomburg, the educator and therapist, was among the first to define art therapy as a specific form of psychotherapy in the 1940s, and -interestingly, most art therapy programs require classes that don’t. only in psychology, but also in art.

Here we recall the saying, “The value of art lies in treatment,” according to the British painter Adrian Hill, which he said during his recovery period when he was recovering on tuberculosis in 1942. Therefore, it goes beyond the concept of modern art. expanding into aspects of treatment and being one of the most important ways to overcome mental and health crises. He said: The arts in Dubai are helping to enhance this type of treatment and promote it on a wider scale.

Creative arts therapist Sarah Paul said: ATIC Psychiatry and Counseling Center in Dubai offers art therapy sessions, which support the treatment journey of children, youth and adults, and improve the patient’s condition using art , which shows complex feelings and thoughts, especially. the ones that might be hard to even put into words.

She says: Art therapy is suitable for individuals of all ages and stages of life, including those affected by difficult personal or cultural experiences, illness or disability.

Sarah explains that art therapy has been a recognized form of psychotherapy for over 70 years in the UK and US, and is led by trained professionals known as therapeutic artists or artists. mental art. She said: Art therapy is used as a primary form of self-expression, and its aim is to reduce stress and increase social, emotional and mental well-being.

Social responsibility

and art psychologist Mustafa Kamel says: I work closely with many artists and creative people who want to get a diploma in art therapy out of their belief in the importance of developing psychological skills and the ability to support and trust those around them within the framework of social responsibility and humanitarian solidarity for people suffering from depression and trauma, whether psychological or physical art, plastic one of the most important coping mechanisms along with writing and music. They are also used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, and promote physical rehabilitation.

He said: There are no special skills that an art therapist must have, but he must be able to provide support and gain the confidence of the patient, as well as general culture and social skills in communication and quick response to the patient’s response.

He continues: “The therapist does not translate the patient’s artwork. But he talks to him about the meaning of the work of art as he sees it, which allows the patient freedom of feeling and gets rid of much of the stress and mental state he suffers, thus reducing the nervous and physical effort, which allows. for a better response to drug treatment and follow-up with the specialist.”

Regarding the development of learning methods and transforming them into sustainable thinking from the perspective of the therapeutic arts and their links to self-development among people with determination, Wimmy de Maiker, director of the Mawaheb Studio, says: Through brush movements and inter- color knitting , determined people in Dubai get a lot of support from Dubai’s creative communities initiatives. She said: We try to create a stimulating environment for our students to improve their abilities.

Through technical training and life skills, he tried to allow them to explore the world and learn more about their own ability to integrate into society as independent and integrated people. The therapeutic art specialists in the studio treat each student individually as an individual who has freedom of thought and action in a welcoming atmosphere full of giving and love to build confidence and get a constant thought about the importance of to develop their artistic work.

Inspirational places

Regarding the ability of the arts to improve mental and therapeutic health, leading to a full recovery, the American media artist and designer living in Dubai, Audie Miller, says: Art therapy is a safe haven unique and a safe place to benefit from meditation. and healing.

Where words are not always needed, and where feelings find their voice in the language of art In 2019, I suffered a stroke that led to a “state of extreme change of consciousness” but accompanied by some symptoms self-awareness or consciousness. the surrounding environment.

But I didn’t take into account the effects of this condition, which doctors confirmed would take years to treat the resulting damage I chose to draw on a tablet even though I was suffering from double vision and loss of feeling in the facial muscles . With patience and persistence in drawing, my condition improved a lot, until I recovered completely… The year 2023. This is what doctors said was a medical miracle.