While there are many reasons why an individual may initially turn to alcohol and other drug use, most people do so to self-medicate distressing emotions. Individuals often do this because they either lack the knowledge of healthy emotional regulation skills or otherwise use substances to achieve desired effects quickly. Regardless, the process of getting sober requires each individual to identify and implement effective strategies for emotional expression and management, as these efforts will work to prevent relapse throughout long-term sobriety. Fortunately, creative healing can aid this process.
At Bright Mission Recovery, we strive to incorporate creative healing modalities into each of our client’s treatment plans. This is because we know how important creativity can be not only for preventing relapse but also for aiding in the journey of self-discovery in sobriety. Learning about the role of creative arts in mental wellness and why it plays a key factor in therapy can encourage individuals to prioritize engagement in creative healing during rehab and beyond.
What Is Creative Healing?
When an individual is working to recover from substance abuse and addiction, psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, can play a crucial role in their treatment journey. As a matter of fact, as explained in Addiction Psychotherapeutic Care by authors Yue and Pena, optimal addiction treatment requires the use of evidence-based psychotherapy and other psychosocial treatments. This is because these treatments “target the social, environmental, and psychological factors that contribute to increased use, which medication is generally unable to address.”
Still, many individuals may hesitate to participate in psychotherapeutic interventions because they may be under the impression that they must be willing to talk through all of their past and present problems. This is where creative healing modalities can be especially valuable. Simply put, creative healing is the use of various art forms to promote mental, emotional, and spiritual health. It incorporates both creative techniques and psychotherapy techniques, allowing individuals to express their thoughts and emotions in art to, ultimately, aid in the self-discovery and healing process.
The Benefits of Creative Healing
According to the American Journal of Public Health, evidence shows that art-based interventions and other forms of creative healing “are effective in reducing adverse physiological and psychological outcomes.” This is because the use of art to express thoughts, emotions, and experiences can:
- Improve concentration and focus
- Assist with emotional regulation and processing
- Improve communication, conflict resolution, and social skills
- Increase confidence and self-esteem
- Alleviate anxiety, depression, and other unpleasant emotions
- Promote self-awareness
- Increase feelings of well-being and happiness
- Foster deeper meaning and purpose in life
Types of Creative Healing Offered at Bright Mission Recovery
Many different types of creative healing can aid in the journey of self-discovery. In addition to the aforementioned benefits, each form of creative healing can also promote unique benefits to mental, spiritual, and emotional health. At Bright Mission Recovery, some of the types of creative healing we offer for clients include:
Adventure Therapy
First, adventure therapy is a creative treatment that works by allowing individuals to connect with the therapeutic properties of nature. As explained in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, adventure therapy utilizes outdoor activities and peer exercises to help participants learn effective ways to navigate their psychological symptoms and concerns. It fosters both innovation and creativity, allowing individuals to adopt new perspectives and understandings of healing with the assistance of professionals and other peers in treatment.
Art and Music Therapy
Next, art therapy is a form of creative healing that incorporates the use of creative arts to improve symptom management and overall health. As stated in Cureus, “Art therapy uses integrative techniques to captivate the soul, body and mind in ways that verbal expression alone doesn’t appear to.” Engaging the mind by expressing thoughts and emotions in a way other than through verbal communication can help boost self-confidence, enhance cognitive abilities, and improve the overall mind-body connection.
Like art therapy, music therapy also focuses on creative means to improve nonverbal expression. It involves the use of music – playing an instrument, writing a song, or singing, for example – for self-expression and stress reduction. Meanwhile, both art therapy and music therapy are approaches that will be individualized in treatment to address each client’s unique needs and goals for healing.
Creative Healing in Treatment
At Bright Mission Recovery, we also incorporate creative healing approaches and techniques into treatment. When used alongside traditional therapies and treatments, creative healing can complement the overall healing process. This is because creative healing facilitates whole-person healing. Rather than working to address specific symptoms, creative healing helps individuals reconstruct their identity and worldview through creative action.
Thus, during treatment sessions, we encourage our clients to engage in art, music, play, movement, and more – really any expressive techniques that bolster creativity. Clients will then be encouraged to reflect on their creative expressions during treatment to further both the therapeutic process and journey of self-discovery.
Creative healing involves the use of various art forms to aid in self-expression. By engaging the mind through art forms like drawing, dancing, singing, painting, participating in adventures, and more, each individual can discover what strategies and techniques aid in symptom management and promote overall well-being for their unique journey of self-discovery. Additionally, creative healing complements traditional therapies by promoting whole-person healing of the mind, body, and spirit in tandem. At Bright Mission Recovery, we value creative healing for our clients because we recognize how valuable it can be for strengthening self-esteem, self-discovery, and ongoing motivation for treatment engagement. If you or a loved one is seeking long-lasting sobriety from addiction, call us today at (747) 444-3284.