Art Therapy for People with EBD

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Introduction

The introduction page (Intro to EBD and Art Therapy) is a collection of blog posts that can be viewed as a whole either, on the main page or they can be accessed individually by clicking on the large title of each post. To easily navigate through this website/blog, one must pay attention to the 'page' panel, which can be located underneath the Art Therapy for People with EBD title and the poem. There are 5 separate blog pages that make up the entire site, those being: Intro to EBD & Art Therapy, Emotional Behavioral Disorder (EBD), Art Therapy Has Many Faces, Art Work, and Speaking Out. The idea for this blog was developed through my personal interest in art, education and emotional & behavioral disorders. Thanks to this idea (assignment) and my personal interests I have now decided to apply to Florida State University for my Masters which then will lead into their Doctoral program in Art Therapy. Lastly, I would like to thank my family, teachers, and students for giving me the confidence and support to follow my dreams.

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.

Live the life you have imagined.

Henry David Thoreau

Define: Art Therapy

Art therapy is a mental health profession that uses the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages. It is based on the belief that the creative process involved in artistic self-expression helps people to resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve insight.

Art therapy integrates the fields of human development, visual art (drawing, painting, sculpture, and other art forms), and the creative process with models of counseling and psychotherapy. Art therapy is used with children, adolescents, adults, older adults, groups, and families to assess and treat the following: anxiety, depression, and other mental and emotional problems and disorders; substance abuse and other addictions; family and relationship issues; abuse and domestic violence; social and emotional difficulties related to disability and illness; trauma and loss; physical, cognitive, and neurological problems; and psychosocial difficulties related to medical illness. Art therapy programs are found in a number of settings including hospitals, clinics, public and community agencies, wellness centers, educational institutions, businesses, and private practices.

Art therapists are masters level professionals who hold a degree in art therapy or a related field. Educational requirements include: theories of art therapy, counseling, and psychotherapy; ethics and standards of practice; assessment and evaluation; individual, group, and family techniques; human and creative development; multicultural issues; research methods; and practicum experiences in clinical, community, and/or other settings. Art therapists are skilled in the application of a variety of art modalities (drawing, painting, sculpture, and other media) for assessment and treatment.

What is Art Therapy?

Works cited & Credible Sources:

American Art Therapy Association explores the in's and out's of art therapy, touching on every aspect of the profession.

Defining EBD

Divisions: Emotional Behavioral Disorder

This section touches on the defining characteristics and overall definition of EBD, with a brief explanation of art therapy as reference to the overall goal of this resource (blog). While exploring the three different divisions of the disorder and the different preventative measures that people with EBD can take and utilize throughout their lives. The preventions of EBD are categorized around the severity, on an individual basis. I have incorporated a few paragraphs about Ohio State University's philosophy and medical integration outlook, so that viewers may think about how EBD can be managed and expressed through therapy, specifically Art Therapy. Therapeutic treatments/sessions can be educational and life changing for people who are having trouble expressing their thoughts and feelings. Art therapy is not forever everyone, but as this field becomes more well known and publicized people may become more apt to trying a new way of expressing their internal emotions.

Works Cited:

http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/patientcare/healthcare_services/integrative_medicine/integrative_medicine_services/art_therapy/Pages/index.aspx

Art therapy is the application of a variety of art modalities in conjunction with human developmental and psychological theories. The art therapist uses drawing, painting, clay and other mediums to assess and treat the emotional and psychological need of the client. The medium, the images, the art process and one's responses to the art production are used as reflection of the client's development, abilities, personality, interests, concerns and conflicts, which are explored in the art therapy session.

Art therapy works with children, adolescents, and adults. The client does not need to have artistic skill and the art production does not need to be elaborate. The format may include individual, couples, family and group therapy, which serve populations of all races, and ethnic backgrounds. An art therapy session could consist of developing a focus for the therapy, making art, discussing the art product within the framework of psychological counseling, or a combination of these. Often art therapy is included as part of a clinical team for settings such as mental health, rehabilitation, medical and forensic institutions, community outreach programs, wellness centers, schools, nursing homes, corporate structures, art studios and independent practices.

Works Cited:

http://www.education.com/reference/article/emotional-behavioral-disorders-defined/

Emotional or behavioral disorders can be divided into three groups that are characterized by:

-Externalizing behaviors

-Internalizing behaviors

-Low incidence disorders

Some emotional or behavioral disorders manifest themselves outwardly. Externalizing

behaviors constitute an acting-out style that could be described as aggressive,

impulsive, coercive, and noncompliant. Other disorders are more accurately described

as "inward." Internalizing behaviors are typical of an inhibited style that could be

described as withdrawn, lonely, depressed, and anxious (Gresham et al., 1999).

Students who exhibit externalizing and internalizing behaviors, respectively, are the two

main groups of students with emotional or behavioral disorders, but they do not

account for all of the conditions that result in placement in this special education

category.

Externalizing Behaviors

When we think about emotional or behavioral disorders, we probably first think of behaviors that are "out of control"—aggressive behaviors expressed outwardly, usually toward other persons. Some typical examples are hyperactivity, a high level of irritating behavior that is impulsive and distractible, and persistent aggression. Young children who have serious challenging behaviors that persist are the mo likely to be referred for psychiatric services (Maag, 2000). Three common problems associated with externalizing behavior are hyperactivity, aggression, and delinquency. Hyperactivity was discussed in Chapter 6 because it is a common characteristic of ADHD. Remember that ADHD and emotional or behavioral disorders often occur in combination. So it shouldn't be surprising to find that hyperactivity is a common problem among these children as well.

Internalizing Behaviors

Internalizing behaviors are typically expressed by being socially withdrawn. Examples of internalizing behaviors include:

- Anorexia or bulimia

- Depression

- Anxiety

Low Incidence Disorders

Some disorders occur very infrequently but are quite serious when they do occur. Consider schizophrenia, which can have tragic consequences for the individuals involved and their families.Schizophrenia, sometimes considered a form of psychosis or a type of pervasive developmental disability (APA, 2000), is an extremely rare disorder in children, although approximately 1 percent of the general population over the age of 18 has been diagnosed as having schizophrenia. When it occurs, it places great demands on service systems. It usually involves bizarre delusions (such as believing one's thoughts are controlled by the police), hallucinations (such as voices telling one what to think), "loosening" of associations (disconnected thoughts), and incoherence. Schizophrenia is most prevalent between the ages of 15 and 45, and experts agree that the earlier the onset, the more severe the disturbance in adulthood (Newcomer, 1993).

Prevention

Works Cited:

http://www.education.com/reference/article/emotional-behavioral-disorders-prevention/?page=3

One of the first steps in preventing the development of emotional or behavioral disorders is determining which children exhibit behaviors that are often predictive of later problems. Astute adults almost universally and immediately identify even very young children with emotional or behavioral disorders, particularly in cases of individuals with externalizing behavior patterns. Why might this be so? Standards for normal behavior change as children grow up and move througl1 the stages of their lives. When children behave quite differently from what is expected for their age group, it becomes a cause for concern. For example, the behavior of an 8-year-old who suddenly begins to wet the bed, clings to his mother, and stops talking creates great concern. Even though almost identical behavior would be totally acceptable for a toddler, an 8-year-old who acts in this way is perceived as having a problem. Think of examples of behavior that provoke concerns about children of one age but, when demonstrated by a child of a different age, raise no questions at all.

The fact that behavior inappropriate for an individual's age draws attention and can result in the individual's being identified as having an emotional or behavioral disorder makes some experts worry about subjectivity in the assessment process. Also, students with internalizing behaviors are often missed when only teacher referrals are used. Experts recommend that standardized tests or procedures be used in the identification process (Gresham et al., 1999). Some such methods are available. For example, the Student Risk Screening Scale and the Systematic Screening for Behavior Disorders are assessment instruments that take some of the subjectivity out of the identification process.

Works Cited & Credible Sites:

This website defines emotional & behavioral disorders, specifically elaborating on the three groups in which they can be categorized by.

The CEC website provides papers and letters from patients, therapists, and researches about the specifics of EBD.

The Ohio State University Medical Center defines art therapy, their practicing philosophy, and scientific background.

Education.com: Preventions for Emotional & Behavioral Disorders within the community, house hold, and school.

This is the National Association of Special Education Teachers website that explores the different topic categories of emotional and behavioral disorders.

Where?

Where do art therapists work?

Art therapists work in a wide variety of settings, including, but not limited to, the following:

• Hospitals and clinics, both medical and psychiatric  • Out-patient mental health agencies and day treatment facilities  • Residential treatment centers  • Halfway houses  • Domestic violence and homeless shelters  • Community agencies and non-profit settings  • Sheltered workshops  • Schools, colleges, and universities  • Correctional facilities  • Elder care facilities  • Art studios  • Private practice

An art therapist may work as part of a team that includes physicians, psychologists, nurses, mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, rehabilitation counselors, social workers, and teachers. Together, they determine and implement a client's therapeutic goals and objectives. Other art therapists work independently and maintain private practices with children, adolescents, adults, groups, and/or families.

Works Cited & Credible Sources:

American Art Therapy Association website defines Art Therapy and its many functions.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Color & Meaning

My Take on Color: Colors hold an immense amount of power and for people with EBD they can be even more powerful. People with EBD have an inability to build and maintain interpersonal relationships and they tend to display strong emotions & behaviors that can range from crying, screaming, hitting, causing intentional harm to oneself or another, depression, unhappiness, and/or other extreme emotions and/or behaviors. There are other factors that play into the diagnosis of EBD, but these are the specific characteristics that may hinder a student from being able to express themselves and their emotions. Colors may resemble, feelings, sounds, emotions, specific events/occurrences, and they can even resemble certain times in one life. The use of color is endless and by knowing what colors mean to certain people, an art therapist may gain great insight into the emotional problem or distress that one is facing. Having a patient create a color wheel or color scale is a great way of learning exactly how they are feeling, what they are scared or stressed out about, or maybe even why they are afraid of one of their parents. There are endless possibilities.

Works Cited:

http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/lessons/middle/color2.htm

Colors are sometimes used in therapy. Colors have a huge effect on people who have brain disorders or who are emotionally troubled. The color blue has a calming effect on many people and lowers respiration and blood pressure. Red has the opposite effect. Some therapists use green to sooth and relax emotionally disturbed people who suffer from anxiety or depression. Some claim that the color violet is good for migraines but I doubt that claim because it would be used more extensively in the medical field. Yellow helps energize people and relieves depression.

Color Symbolism Chart
	Excitement, energy, passion, love, desire, speed, strength, power, heat, aggression, danger, fire, blood, war, violence, all things intense and passionate.
	Pink symbolizes love and romance, caring, tenderness, acceptance and calm.
	Beige and ivory symbolize unification. Ivory symbolizes quiet and pleasantness. Beige symbolizes calm and simplicity.
	Joy, happiness, betrayal, optimism, idealism, imagination, hope, sunshine, summer, gold, philosophy, dishonesty, cowardice, jealousy, covetousness, deceit, illness, hazard and friendship.
	Peace, tranquility, cold, calm, stability, harmony, unity, trust, truth, confidence, conservatism, security, cleanliness, order, loyalty, sky, water, technology, depression, appetite suppressant.
	Turquoise symbolizes calm. Teal symbolizes sophistication. Aquamarine symbolizes water. Lighter turquoise has a feminine appeal.
	Royalty, nobility, spirituality, ceremony, mysterious, transformation, wisdom, enlightenment, cruelty, arrogance, mourning.
	Lavender symbolizes femininity, grace and elegance.
	Energy, balance, enthusiasm, warmth, vibrant, expansive, flamboyant, demanding of attention.
	Nature, environment, healthy, good luck, renewal, youth, spring, generosity, fertility, jealousy, inexperience, envy, misfortune, vigor.
	Earth, stability, hearth, home, outdoors, reliability, comfort, endurance, simplicity, and comfort.
	Security, reliability, intelligence, staid, modesty, dignity, maturity, solid, conservative, practical, old age, sadness, boring. Silver symbolizes calm.
	Reverence, purity, birth, simplicity, cleanliness, peace, humility, precision, innocence, youth, winter, snow, good, sterility, marriage (Western cultures), death (Eastern cultures), cold, clinical.
	Power, sexuality, sophistication, formality, elegance, wealth, mystery, fear, evil, unhappiness, depth, style, evil, sadness, remorse, anger, anonymity, underground, good technical color, mourning, death (Western cultures).

Works Cited & Credible Sources:

The Incredible Art Department website explores the theory of color symbolism throughout many different cultures. Defining the multi-cultural interpretations of what each color potentially expresses.