When you hear “art therapy,” what’s the first thing that comes to mind? 

For most of us, it’s an imagery of neat brush strokes or an intricately designed doodle colored to perfection. 

We believe art is supposed to be flawless and perfect. That’s the idea Vimala MV also had when she signed up for art lessons during her stay in Milan, Italy.

Bangalore-based Vimala MV, an Art Therapist, Mental Health Advocate, and Caregiver Coach, spent some years in Milan, where she enrolled in beginner’s drawing classes to soak in the country’s creative culture. Little did she know that her seemingly imperfect painting would take her closest to her heart’s calling—merging art with therapy to support mental health in India. 

With a keen interest in the human psyche, Vimala majored in psychology before taking up a corporate career. But psychology kept pulling her back until she decided to step back into that world. Vimala obtained a formal degree in Art Therapy and Counseling and began her practice as an art therapist in India, combining art therapy with counseling to help people cope and navigate their emotional journeys. 

Decoding art therapy 

Art therapy is a research-backed technique that combines art and psychology to boost mental well-being across age groups. It is a therapeutic intervention that makes mental health support accessible, especially to those who struggle with the conventional style of therapy through communication. 

Other common alternate therapies include dance movement therapy (DMT), music therapy, and drama therapy. 

But, most people aren’t aware of these varied forms of interventions to ease their emotional well-being journeys. Add in the myths and stigma around mental health issues in India, and you’ll mostly find people avoiding therapy – until it’s indispensable.

Vimala agrees. “Many would reach out to a therapist or seek help when things get alarmingly dysfunctional. Engaging in wellness activities like art therapy can be one of the many subtle yet powerful means to emotionally check in and also experience a release.”

What to expect in an art therapy session?

The biggest myth about art therapy is that you need to be good at art to attend it. Vimala believes if you’re a person who can hold a pencil and draw a line, then you are fully capable of scheduling an art therapy session. 

She reasserts, “Art therapy doesn’t need you to be an artist. It’s a scary myth.”

Her approach to art therapy is to analyze which art form will work the best. Virtually, she has to depend on the supplies you have, but in a physical art therapy session, the horizons widen.

Vimala frequently uses specific tools in her art therapy sessions, like:

• Blind contouring
• Finger painting
• Drawing to music
• Collage
• Spontaneous doodles
• Neurographic Art
• Maintaining a visual journal 

Research shows that all these art therapy tools show outstanding results in adult participants in 1:1 and group sessions.

Group art therapy sessions have been extremely successful as it allows people to look for fun and less intrusive ways to connect with the team.

These sessions help teams to de-stress, break the ice and develop a greater understanding of each other beyond their professional selves.

Vimala says that every brush stroke, the patterns her clients use while drawing, and the focus they show reveal many things about their person’s mental health. “You’ll be surprised how a light-hearted outlet for expression can help you reflect and breathe through a rough day.” 

Once the art therapy session is over, she conducts a consultation to discuss her deductions and understand the person’s cognitive journey. These sessions help one navigate their bottled-up feelings and ease them into talking through those uncomfortable emotions. 

What are the benefits of art therapy?

One of the most common questions people ask Vimala is – How can a seemingly childish activity like art therapy effectively support their mental health? Her only answer is, “You’d never know until you try it,” as she reflects on all the people she has worked with through art therapy. 

In the last few years, she has encountered many people who found talk therapy exhausting. This is where alternate interventions like art therapy help. It allows people to declutter their minds and create something beautiful at the end of the day.

There are numerous benefits of art therapy, as it:

• Helps in calming the nervous system
• Breaks the monotony of thoughts and interrupts overthinking 
• Encourages the mind to zero down on one thing and concentrate better
• Strengthens self-esteem when you can successfully express yourself 
• Helps if the scope of verbal expression is limited 
• Eliminates the seriousness of therapy with a light-hearted approach to healing
• Helps in resolving complex emotions through a creative outlet

“Art therapy feels like a new language you’ve learned to connect with yourself. It’s like self-talk,” says Vimala. 

But helping others stay afloat can sometimes take a toll on the therapist’s mental health, too. “I’ve found a sense of great release through neurographic art recently. Else, I take a dip in the closest swimming pool to relax my mind and body.” 

Crafting healthy minds – one crayon at a time

Art therapy, along with other alternative therapy techniques, is ideal for people who need mental relaxation without being bound by talk therapy’s limitations. It teaches us to unwind while we draw, paint, or even scribble. 

If you feel like exploring your mind through art, you can reach out to Vimala on LinkedIn.