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In the article passage  History and Development of Art Therapy  it talks about when art therapy was  first established and   how art is another form of communication. This phenomenon of self expression and therapeutic  mechanism  approach   skyrocketed  in the mid 20th century. During this time  many workers in the mental health field began to use art therapy as a therapeutic outlook for patients.Art Therapy first came to light when  British Artist Adrien Hill coined the term art therapy after he saw the benefits of painting and drawing while recovering from tuberculosis in 1942.

In the article passage  "The History of  Music and Art" ,it  speaks about how art therapy  was influential and therapeutic  to those with mental disorders. This article also speaks about Adrien Hill and how he used art therapy to ease his time with  tuberculosis. Hill saw the benefits of drawing  and painting during the healing process while he was in the hospital. Later he began to teach art classes in order for others to see the benefits art has and to take their mind off of their illnesses.This article also talks about  how art therapy was beneficial for  soldiers coming home from World War II dealing with post traumatic stress disorders. Many soldiers who dealt with  trauma found that  by creating art that expressed what they were going through it helped cope with said trauma. They found that art was a great method used to release their emotions that they had during warfare.

In the video "A Brief History of Art Therapy" video talked about how art is a non verbal form of communication. It also says how art has been here for centuries. It began in health settings during the 20th century. It further continues to say how many soldiers found it difficult adjusting  to life after war.These soldiers used both art therapy and group therapy. Most of these soldiers  who suffered from PTSD were  in mental health facilities and used  art  as a way to block out their trauma  and to connect to their true selves. Art therapy then began to expand to other  areas of  mental health. 

 Is art therapy  beneficial? Well yes, it can influence and benefit mental health and stability,self  discovery,self esteem,emotional release, and stress relief and that's just to name a few. According to   the article Creativity and Recovery: The Mental Health Benefits of Art Therapy,art therapy is beneficial to many. in this article it mentions that you don’t need to see a licensed therapist in order to do art therapy, it can  be done in the comfort of your home. Art therapy helps others who are dealing with trauma that are not ready or may not feel comfortable talking about said trauma. This can consist of PTSD, Physical disorders or dealing with grief and loss. No matter the issue at hand, art therapy is an outlet for you to have more control of your life and to relieve whatever you may be feeling at the moment.

Art therapy is an unspoken  alternative to therapy practices. It provides a way for patients to process their emotions and learn from these experiences. Art therapy  needs light shed on it because there are several impacts that art therapy can have on an individual…when words are not enough.It gives voice to those who are unable to physically or when words are insufficient. Many may not  know that art therapy is not just a space for kids or young children but it is also an option for adults as well. it's for anyone at any age. And if you're wondering if you need artistic ability in order to do therapy well you're wrong,anyone no matter their creative ability.

The video that I chose  talks about how when us humans go through trauma,our brain tends to block  it out because it goes into survival  mode. By our brain doing so,when people ask us to talk about trauma there usually is no words for it or it is very hard to talk about.once the individual puts their feelings out on paper,or whatever form of art, it is more sufficient to let your feelings out.in this video it talks about how  teens are not excited to talk to a therapist. By doing art it allows the patient to destress and let their guard down as well as help them communicate in a way they can do so freely. In this video a former art therapist patient talks about her experiences and how she used her skills to become an artist 

Anyone can use art therapy and  would benefit from it in some way. In the article “An Expert on School-Based Art Therapy¨  explains how art therapy helps children make sense of the insensible. It  speaks how to make art therapy accessible to every child, and possibly include it in school curriculum .Images help students  understand  and communicate their experiences of the world around them. Art therapy is a coping mechanism for children who are faced with overwhelming  feelings.This nonverbal creative process enables students to visually speak and express their emotions. With art therapy in schools it can help develop empathy and  possibly limit  bullying in the school system.  In addition,art therapy services in schools can  promote safety in times of trauma, anxiety or conflict.

Art therapy is accessible to everyone, even prisoners. Arts programs provide inmates with invaluable opportunities for therapy and rehabilitation.In the article “FSU Art Therapy Partners with Florida Department of Corrections to Launch a Prison Program”,students who designed the program  are  hoping to bring art therapy to inmates as well as  addressing their  mental health, behavioral patterns and emotional challenges.  Although there are art therapy  correctional systems around the world, this program is one of a kind because  there is a direct collaboration  between a state department and a university. Soon after this program came into effect, COVID hit and  social distancing requirements made it challenging  to have in person services.The pandemic  did not stop  this program from progressing  and developing new  ways to  provide isolated inputs with art therapy.

Art therapy not only helps the youth but it also is beneficial to  elders,even those with memory challenges. In the video “Benefits of Art Therapy for Seniors with memory challenges” it talks about how  art therapy has such an impact on the elderly community. The  Judson  organization  offers several  new programs for elderly residents who need aid in  memory support.  One of their programs at the Judson Park’s reinberger center where  living residents are inspired and motivated to create art. According to this article “this program opens up opportunities for socialization and memory improvement.”Art therapy within the elderly community allows for residents  to  engage not only with others but it also allows them to engage with different art mediums.